Gene Darco Painting

Gene Darco Painting was in the making in 1970. Gene was working for his father, Eugene Darco, in a cabinet shop called Starlite Cabinet & Construction. His duties were to stain and finish high quality cabinets for upscale restaurants and hotels. In 1975 he joined the Portland Public School District as a warehouseman. A few years later Gene joined the painting apprenticeship program where he won awards for paint mixing and color matching. At the age of 23 and with his third child due in two months, Gene and his wife Peggy set out to begin what is known today as Gene Darco Painting. The business moved forward and in 1985 he subcontracted for St. John’s Painting. This seven year period between 1985 and 1992 is where Gene learned a lot of skills about running crews and managing a company. He credits his former boss, Dave Wingfield, for his knowledge and understanding the “in & outs” of the industry. From 1993 to 2006 the company has operated and grown from word of mouth advertising only. Since then, Gene Darco Painting has added signage, advertised in local papers, and added a website. Gene Darco Painting was founded and is located in the St. Johns District of North Portland.