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Horell Painting and Wallcovering, Altoona, Pa.
A father’s hard work, dedication and modesty are a model for his son.
by Susan Brimo-Cox
“Leap the Dips,” built in 1898.
In 2000, a new ice rink came to Altoona — Galactic Ice. Horell painted it.
In 2001, another wooden rollercoaster at Lakemont Park — the Skyliner — needed painting. Horell did that, too.
He also paints non-entertainment related projects. Last year he started painting the new trauma center at Altoona Hospital. This year he’ll be working on a nursing home. He’s painted a judge’s chambers, a middle school and the AccuWeather building. But much of his business is repeat business. He spends six weeks every year painting Lakemont Park’s facilities (including three swimming pools and four fountains) to get them ready for opening day. He’ll be tackling the 120-foot-tall light towers at Blair County Ballpark this year. And he continues, after all these years, as Albarano’s primary painting subcontractor.
Horell has been very successful because of his hard work and dedication, observes Zang. “He works for the same people — he’s their ‘go-to’ guy,” he says. “When they call, he’s there. He’s worked well into the night by himself to get a job done on time. He’s no stranger to work.”
Zang calls Horell a “working entrepreneur.” He explains, “He works alongside his people, too — right there with them. He doesn’t expect them to do anything he hasn’t done.”
Horell’s son hasn’t missed the fine example he set through the years. He especially admires what his dad has done with his business. “Taking his dream and, with hard work, turning it into a solid business. Everybody who meets him just likes him — he has a good reputation.”
Horell, of course, is modest about his achievements and success. “I learned [painting] by doing it. I like it because everything is changing. There’s something different all the time and it’s nice to see a completed building.”
He is a self-proclaimed “equipment nut,” though. “I’m always buying something,” he says.
 He recalls his first big equipment purchase with amusement. “My first big construction job was in 1991. I gave a bid on a job and got it, but I didn’t have the equipment I needed. So, I bought a little $900 Sherwin-Williams 900 airless sprayer to spray 4,000 gallons of Dryfall on a ceiling. They told me I wouldn’t be able to do it, but I did.” He doesn’t use that sprayer much anymore, but he keeps it for the memories.
Horell doesn’t intend on growing his business much more than it is. He likes staying small because “I get to go to the jobs more. I have more control.”
His crew seems to like the hands-on approach. He doesn’t have much turnover. “In 14 years only one guy went to work for another contractor,” he says. “Work hard and treat your people right” is his philosophy.
Horell knows how to cultivate talent, too. “By the time he was in high school, Johnny could spray and stain as good as anybody I could hire,” he says proudly.
John T. continues to work for his dad, summers and weekends, while he pursues an accounting degree at Penn State — he’s a senior this year. “I like working for him. I felt it was important to go to college and bring something back to help the business,” he says.
Father and son — friends, not adversaries. How refreshing in today’s one-upmanship world.
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