Celebrating over 100 years in the painting Industry!

A.G. Williams Painting Company is a family-owned and -operated business servicing the tri-state area for over three generations. In 1906, A.G. Williams Co., Inc. was formed by Arthur George Williams. Since then, A.G. Williams Painting Company has grown into a recognized leader in the residential and commercial painting industry by providing state-of-the-art service to communities throughout Westchester and Connecticut, with an unparalleled devotion to honesty, integrity, and professionalism. Today, A.G. Williams Painting Company proudly provides precision interior and exterior painting, powerwashing, wall coverings, faux finishes, expert design services and high quality carpentry to clients throughout the tri-state area.

The main A.G. Williams facility was constructed in 1986. It covers an expansive 4,400 square feet and houses the warehouse, a painting shop, a carpentry shop, and company offices.

Celebrating over 100 years in the painting industry is to say that We Know Paint!

A. G. Williams Painting Company Accomplishments

1. Continuous family-run operation for over 100 years.
2. Active in local charities and organizations, including board positions, in:
   • Painting and Decorating Contractors of America (PDCA)
   • Little League
   • Chamber of Commerce
   • Boy Scouts of America
   • Religious affiliations
   • Buick Classic 1997
   • Habitat for Humanity
   • Americare
   
3. Financial supporter of nonprofit organizations:
   • Local PBA
   • Firefighters
   • Local Charities
   

History of A.G. Williams Painting Company

The early years. In 1904, Arthur G. Ratsikas immigrated to America from Greece, after spending a short time in Turkey. His name was changed to Arthur Rogers at Ellis Island and he settled in Worcester, Massachusetts. Arthur began to work as a cabinet finisher for a piano manufacturer. He became dissatisfied with his line of work and moved to New York City, where he started working door-to-door as a painter and handyman in Greenwich Village. Arthur established his company in 1906, and hired his first employee shortly thereafter. At the time, he exclusively used Sherwin Williams products and decided to change his surname to Williams under the assumption that it would enhance and further Americanize his progress in the painting industry.

In 1920, Arthur built a house in the North Bronx for himself and his wife Angelica. His first son, George A. Williams, was born in 1924; he later took over the business. By 1925, Arthur had a second child and a thriving paint business with 12 employees and 2 paint stores. The business continued to expand and the family continued to grow, with the birth of three more children.

During the Depression years, Arthur made a commitment to retain his employees through the financially hard times - he knew that they had families to support. The company survived the Depression but Arthur's health steadily failed. By 1946 the company was a hollow shell of its former self.

The second generation. In 1946, Arthur's oldest son, George, stepped up to take the reigns of the family business. He had served in World War II and his fledging baseball career was over. He was newly married and had started a family of his own. George saw a potential for growth of the painting industry in the suburbs surrounding New York City. This vision revived the company.

By 1961, George had relocated the business from New York City to Pelham, NY, a mere 100 yards away from its present location. The business continued to prosper in the 1960s and 1970s by not only painting residences but also increasing its presence in the commercial repainting market.

The third generation. By the late 1970s the third generation - George's sons Arthur G. Williams and George P. Williams -- had joined the firm and had begun to transform the business. A.G. Williams Painting Company continued to grow and needed a bigger facility. The company purchased a vacant lot in the mid-1980s and constructed its current facility at 411 Fifth Avenue in Pelham. George A. Williams was enjoying semi-retirement, with his sons at the helm of the company.

The 1990s were turbulent years for the company. It barely survived the recession in the early 1990s. Sadly, on December 15, 2003, the unexpected passing of George A. Williams shocked the entire A.G. Williams Painting Company family and employees, as well as area businesses. Mr. Williams, as he was best known, was highly regarded as a great businessman, but more so as a wonderful person. He saved the company in his early years and passed on its tradition of honesty, integrity, and professionalism to his two sons. Through his memory and spiritual guidance, the company continues to grow and prosper.

The A.G. Williams tradition. The A.G. Williams tradition has fostered tremendous loyalty among employees and customers alike. Several employees worked for all three generations of Williams management. Clients and vendors pass down the Williams name to their children and grandchildren. It is not unusual for A.G. Williams to be hired by the grandchildren and great-grandchildren of A.G. William's early customers. A.G. Williams Painting Company is very proud of its history and tradition and is dedicated to upholding the standard of quality service for which it is known. The company prides itself on its continued relationships with employees, clients, and vendors and plans to carry on this remarkable achievement for generations to come.

Bio - Arthur George Williams Co-owner Arthur G. Williams, grandson and namesake of company founder A.G. Williams and son of long-time owner George A. Williams, started in the business at the tender age of 11. While in school he honed his painting skills on weekends, Saturdays, and during the summer. Arthur, known as Artie, had no choice but to pick up a brush and help … for $5.00 a day. By 18 years of age, Artie had become a Master Painter who learned his craft from the best in the business, his grandfather’s and father’s long-time A.G. Williams employees. A skilled bass guitarist, Artie spent 10 years in the music business, touring with the band Crossfire. He returned to A.G. Williams with his brother, George P. Williams, in the late 1970s, although he didn’t retire his bass guitar for another 12 years. Artie and George together re-entered the family business in order to help their father. Together they grew the company to its current size and stellar reputation. Along the way, Artie helped maintain the company’s traditions of honesty, integrity, and professionalism.

Artie was born in Mount Vernon and raised in the Bronx. He lived in Pelham for several years and later moved to Thornwood; where he lives with his wife, the former Jane Catherine Clarke, and daughter, Emily Jane Williams.

Bio - George P. Williams

George P. Williams, a co-owner of A.G. Williams Painting Company with brother Artie since 1977, thought that he did not want a career as a painting contractor after working at the company since childhood. He explored other career options but when his father, long-time owner George A. Williams, became ill, George knew that the family business was in fact the right career path.

As co-owner, George worked with his brother to transform A.G. Williams from a small trade-oriented business into a large scale service-oriented company. Annual revenues increased from $250,000 to over $3 million in just 10 years. At the young ages of 28 and 32, George and his brother Artie designed and oversaw the construction of their new and current office building. He and his father also founded the GAW Management Company and bought and sold real-estate in the tri-state area.

George has been instrumental in hiring and training expert painters so that he can devote his energies toward building the business. The A.G. Williams training and safety programs created by George and his brother Artie ensure that the company tradition of excellence is carried out in all its work.

An active member of the community, George served on the Board of Directors for the Holy Trinity Church as a trustee for 14 years, as vice president for two years, and as president for two years. He was a trustee on the Board of Directors for Sherman Park Little League in Thornwood from 1996 to 2004. George has been a member of the Executive Association of Westchester since 1988.

A resident of Thornwood, New York, George was raised in Pelham. He is married to the former Theresa A. Manna and has two sons, George and Nicholas.

Bio - Paul Viggiano

Director of Business Development and Marketing, Paul Viggiano has been a part of the A.G. Williams Company since 2000. At that time he helped the company during his High School and College summers. He worked closely under the tutelage of the late-great George A. Williams, son of company founder Arthur George Williams, thus learning about painting and the painting business from the inside out.

Paul graduated from SUNY Farmingdale with a Bachelor of Science degree in Professional Communications with a minor in Business while achieving a 3.6 GPA. Since his graduation in 2005, Paul has joined the firm fulltime and played a major role in overseeing certain special projects. Paul helped organize and oversee the planning and production of the A.G. Williams Painting 100 Year Anniversary Party which was held in October of 2006. He also took part in assisting the organization and managing the large donation of painting to the Pelham Art Center. In 2007, Paul played a major role in the A.G. Williams donation of services for the Americares Repair Blitz, where A.G. Williams employees donated the paint and painting of numerous areas of the New Rochelle Boys & Girls Club. Paul has also used his knowledge of computers and technology to fine tune and introduce the implementation of new techniques to the A.G. Williams company. After managing the installation of new computers during the company’s renovation project, these tools have helped launch the company towards providing a more efficient service.

After training under the expertise of both George P. Williams and Arthur G. Williams, co-owners of A.G. Williams Company, Paul has spearheaded the marketing and advertisement division of the company. He is currently a fulltime estimator, sales representative, and project manager.

Paul represents A.G. Williams in several organizations including the PDCA, Nolan Summit Group and local Chamber of Commerce. While spending countless hours with the A.G. Williams Company, Paul still finds time to hone his athletic skills while training at local fitness clubs and participating in both local ice hockey and softball leagues. He also devotes much of his time coaching youth ice hockey for both the Westchester Mariners and the New Rochelle Modified teams.

As the culture has been instilled in all A.G. Williams employees, Paul is passionate and prideful about A.G. Williams Company and the integrity of the painting business.