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About us
Lawrence Decorating Service, Inc. started in 1951 by Virgil Schmidtberger. A testament to the times, Virgil started the company out of his garage on Alabama Street, riding the city bus to job sites every day while holding his ladder outside the bus through the window. Virgil was joined by his son Gary and a new employee, David Aikins, in 1971. Gary and David would go on to run the company after Virgil retired, growing the company to serve northeast and central Kansas.
Today, the company is owned and operated by Fernando and Kerry Velilla. Dave and Gary came to know Fernando well during the many years in which they worked together on various construction projects in Lawrence and the surrounding areas, and they were confident Fernando would be a great fit to take Lawrence Decorating Service, Inc. into the company's next successful decade of service. At the same time, Fernando and his wife Kerry were looking for a business opportunity where they could bring together Fernando’s construction experience and Kerry’s business expertise.
Leadership Team
Fernando Velilla,
President
With more than 20 years construction experience, Fernando has earned a stellar reputation in Lawrence through his many years as a project superintendent for a local commercial construction company. Additionally, Fernando has been an artist all his life, benefiting him with an eye for detail and excellence in a trade that provides the finishing touch to any design, building, or home.
Kerry Velilla,
Vice President
Kerry spent the previous 20 years working in various business roles. Kerry started her career working in sales and marketing for an internet service company while earning her business degree. After graduation, she continued working in sales and marketing for a publishing company, working her way up through management roles, and ultimately moving on to work as a business consultant for other publishers.
When the opportunity to take ownership of Lawrence Decorating Service, Inc. came up, Fernando and Kerry recognized the value the company provided to the community and general contractors, and they decided to take the leap into business ownership.
We are proud of our continued service to Lawrence and all of northeast and central Kansas, and we look forward to working with you!