History of N. Chasen and Son, Inc.

Nathan Chasen, circa 1916, in a wall paper truck

N. Chasen and Son, Inc. is a third generation, family-owned business. Jeff Chasen, the current president,  is the grandson of Nathan Chasen, who founded the business in 1914.

Nathan Chasen

Nathan Chasen learned the trade of wall paper hanging as a teenager. Nathan grew up in Baltimore, Maryland and worked as an apprentice earning thirty five cents an hour. In 1912 he filled a paper hanger position in the Richmond area.

By 1914,  Nathan set out on his own.  Little did he know the legacy of quality work that he would be establishing. Wallpapering was the primary service for more than 15 years with painting being added circa 1932.

In 1946 Nathan´s son, Irv Chasen, joined the team, and the name of the company was changed to N. Chasen & Son.  Irv was 1943 graduate of Virginia Tech, where he  excelled in both the classroom and the football field!  He was 1 of 22 Virginians mentioned in the Associated Press 1942 All America selections.  Immediately after graduation, he served as a combat officer in World War II.

From two paper hangers and three painters, Irv steadily grew the business. He also served in local and national leadership positions for the Painting and Decorator Contractors of America (PDCA). In 2004, he earned the PDCA’s highest honor:  the Al Quilici Award   “for exhibiting extreme integrity, professionalism, and devotion towards advancing the goals of the PDCA.”   Irv is a gifted speaker, writer and a natural teacher.  He founded his management consulting company, Proof, to transform tradesman into successful business men. He presented at more than 47 different trade organizations.

Irv passed away on March 8, 2011, just one month after celebrating his 91st birthday with friends and family.  He will be dearly missed and fondly remembered by his family and many friends.

N. Chasen and Son trucks at the Carillon in Richmond, circa late 1940s.

Irv’s son, Jeff Chasen, joined the company in 1977 after obtaining his degree from Randolph-Macon College. Soon after, RollingStone named him as one of the top CEOs under age thirty. The article, which was published in 1985, also featured Bill Gates of Microsoft.

Jeff Chasen (left), Irv Chasen (middle), Nathan Chasen (painting)

N. Chasen and Son’s success is founded on the timeless principles of quality, value and trust. In addition to these principles, prudent stewardship of the business through uncertain economic climates over almost 100 year has ensured that the trusted N. Chasen and Son name endures.

Today, N. Chasen and Son employs more than 35 skilled painters, paperhangers and carpenters who serve our residential, commercial and industrial customers. Now, just as it was then, commitment to the highest levels of service, quality and satisfaction are the foundation of the business.