by HJ HOLTZ | Sep 11, 2025 | Residential Painting
In 2000, Jack Faya was a recent immigrant from Togo, a nation in West Africa, working at the Jefferson Hotel as a dishwasher. But he wanted more – a career. He found that at H.J. Holtz & Son.
Faya searched out the company on the recommendation of someone from his church. But there was a slight problem: He spoke very little English. Luckily, on the day he came to the Holtz offices, then located in Scott’s Addition, he found Lindsay Holtz, wife of current president Rick Holtz. Lindsay Holtz used her rusty French from high school to speak with Faya, who was fluent.
“I happened to be at the shop when he happened to walk in,” Lindsay Holtz recalls. “I could speak just enough French so we could figure out that he was looking for work. Once Rick hired him, Jack learned a lot of English.
“Jack really opened the door to non-English speakers,” Lindsay Holtz adds. “Just because of who Jack is, that hurdle became manageable.”
Faya began as a helper in the shop, repairing carpentry, prepping in-house jobs, and painting. After several years, he began to paint in customers’ homes. He also expanded his skill set by taking carpentry classes before the Holtz carpentry division was created – “just so I could have some skills of my own and learn something new,” he says.
Teamwork is an important part of H.J. Holtz & Son, Faya says. “You have to find the right people [to work here],” he says. “It’s not about the job; it’s about how people treat you as somebody close to them. That will give you hope that you’ve got people around you who will take your back.”
Faya says he found a family atmosphere when he first joined the company, and it’s still present.
“Rick’s father and mother were here when I came,” he says. “They made me family. They helped me learn the culture here [in the United States].”
Lindsay Holtz says the relationship between her husband and Faya is special. “Any time Rick asks for help at a charity project, Jack is the first person to sign up,” she says. “He’s the first one there and is always ready to help the next person.”
Faya says, “Rick and I are like brothers now. If I come to his office, he welcomes me and listens to me and asks me if everything is all right. Nothing can take me away from here. I’m right where I need to be.”
by HJ HOLTZ | Aug 8, 2025 | Carpentry Services
In May, H.J. Holtz & Son partnered with Little Hands Virginia on the nonprofit’s annual Tablescapes fundraiser, which supports the organization’s mission to provide essentials – especially diapers – to economically disadvantaged families with young children.
Carpentry Enhances Experience
This year, Holtz & Son was a Diamond sponsor for Tablescapes, dividing last year’s 8 foot-by-16 foot paneled wall backdrop into two freestanding elements, both enhanced with dentil crown molding and trim. One 8-by-8 element, paired with the podium the Holtz team built last year, served as the focal point for speakers during the program. The other wall component, at the entry, invited photos with two paint colors (Benjamin Moore’s Precocious and Coral Rock) and floral cascades. The upper portion of the wall also showcased the logos of Little Hands, H.J. Holtz & Son, and Benjamin Moore.
“We enjoy working on Tablescapes with Little Hands,” says company president Rick Holtz. “They do such good work for the community; this is a no-brainer for us.”
Helping Those in Need
Founded in 2019, Little Hands is the region’s only organization that focuses exclusively on providing critical supplies for children from birth to age 3. Families in need are referred to Little Hands by partner agencies and providers, and the organization delivers items including books, teaching toys, formula, and – critically – diapers.
“Diaper need affects one out of every two families in our community and can impact children’s health and educational outcomes,” says Heather Farber, Little Hands’ director of development. “Many childcare providers require parents to provide eight diapers a day [when they leave a child]. If parents can’t provide diapers, they can’t drop the child off. If you can’t drop the child off, you can’t go to work.”
Tablescapes is a two-day event, with the first night featuring a cocktail reception with live and silent auctions. The following day included a luncheon and speaker. This year, 24 interior designers from across Virginia created one-of-a-kind tablescapes in keeping with the theme of “Where Stories Unfold,” using beloved children’s books for inspiration. More than 500 people participated and more than $335,000 was raised. The organization’s next large fundraiser will be the Big Diaper Drive in October.
“Last year, we collected 200,000 diapers through the Big Diaper Drive,” Farber says.
“We are currently looking for local businesses, community groups and individuals to join us in hosting a drive this fall to end diaper need in our community.”
For more information, visit littlehandsva.org and virginiatablescapes.com.
by HJ HOLTZ | Jun 25, 2025 | Residential Painting
Painter Robert Ferrell Marks Silver Anniversary
Robert Ferrell says he is occasionally asked by another H.J. Holtz & Son team member why he gets to set his own work hours.
“I say, ‘When you’ve been here as long as I have, you’ll be able to do that, too,’” he laughs.
It’s no joke: Ferrell joined the company in May 2000, when current president Rick Holtz’s parents – were at the helm. “I miss Rick’s parents [Dick and Geny Holtz],” Ferrell says. “They were just like parents to me.”
Over the years, Ferrell has worked as a painter and foreman. Now, he’s training new employees and also fills in for vacationing project managers or checks project sites to make sure everything is going as planned. Ferrell says it’s been good to see H.J. Holtz & Son’s growth over the years and is proud of the way the company treats its employees.
“I don’t think of the company as a workshop; I think of it as a school,” he says. “You can learn a lot of things: brush painting, spraying, glazing, wallpapering, carpentry. We’ve got very talented people here, and Rick goes out of his way to send people to school to learn whatever has to be done.”
Learning happens at every level, Ferrell says, noting that a new painting team member recently showed him how she tapes sandpaper around a stick so she can more efficiently prep tight areas. Ferrell then shared the tip with other painters. “I learn something new every day,” he says.
What is consistent, Ferrell says, is the Holtz approach to customer service and detail with every project.
“Customers need to know who we are and trust us with their home, because we treat it like it’s ours,” he says, noting that clients routinely share that they wouldn’t typically leave their house with workmen inside, but they do when it’s a Holtz team. “We leave a house like we found it, and we do other things, like bring in the mail, take the dog on a walk. We try to go out of our way to accommodate clients. We’re very respectful,” Ferrell notes. “The foremen don’t tolerate foolishness.”
Following two surgeries in 2024, Ferrell decided it was time to slow down at work a little, an approach supported by Rick Holtz. He now works three days a week.
“Rick Holtz took care of me, as always,” Ferrell says. “He’s like a brother to me, like a family member. We’ve got good vibes together.”
by HJ HOLTZ | Jun 4, 2025 | Residential Painting
Even the best-maintained homes need a refresh now and then. Everyday use will lead to dings and smudges that dull the shine of walls and cabinets. The good news is that a fresh coat of paint easily restores a home’s sparkle for a fraction of the cost of a full renovation.
Repaint, not replace
Cabinets are built to last. As a built-in for the home, cabinets can withstand years of use, even abuse. But repairs made by qualified craftspeople, followed by a fresh coat of paint, will add years. At H.J. Holtz & Son, we can assess your cabinetry with an in-home visit and give an assessment of the repairs needed, if any. Then we’ll develop a plan, including a timeline, for what’s to come next.
Professional spray coating
In most situations, our team will remove the cupboard fronts so that they can be properly cleaned, sanded, and painted in one of our in-house spray booths. The spray booths offer a climate-controlled, virtually dust-free environment, ensuring a smooth, even finish. You can select a new color, for a new look, or keep the existing color that matches the home’s existing decor.
In-house painting
Because the original cabinets are staying in place, the exteriors – known as the cabinet boxes – will be painted in position. Once emptied, the Holtz painting team will clean, sand, and repair, just as is done for the fronts. Surrounding areas will be protected with masking film and tape. This work is done by hand, to ensure attention to detail at the corners and edges, which take the most wear.
Why hire a professional
Do-it-yourself home repairs can be satisfying, and many homeowners will attempt what they believe to be simple tasks. But skimping on a high-visibility element of the house is penny-wise and pound-foolish. The experienced, full-time, well-trained painters at H.J. Holtz & Son know how to properly prepare for any painting job, even one that appears to be as easy as applying a fresh coat of paint to cabinets. Without proper preparation, cabinets will appear bulky – not crisp and fresh – and areas that have chipped will be more likely to chip again.
Call us for a free estimate today.
by HJ HOLTZ | Apr 29, 2025 | Nonprofit
Little Hands of Virginia – a nonprofit founded to provide families of young children with essentials, especially diapers – knows that collaboration is key to fulfilling its mission.
“We could not do what we do without our partners,” says Heather Farber, Little Hands’ director of development.
Little Hands was founded in 2019 by Taylor Keeney, hoping to fill essential needs for families with children from birth to age 3. The organization began in Keeney’s garage, but rapid growth led to multiple moves: to a storage unit, a room provided by Second Baptist Church, and another office space. In June 2024, Little Hands moved into a 6,500-square-foot warehouse, now with an interior freshly painted by H.J. Holtz & Son.
“It was just a warehouse with visible drywall, but the Holtz team came in and really brightened up the space,” Farber says.
Holtz has been a partner since 2023, when members of Little Hands’ board recommended the company. “An interior designer made the connection,” Farber says. “We’ve been grateful for [Holtz’s] support ever since.”
To date, H.J. Holtz & Son’s involvement has primarily been through the organization’s Virginia Tablescapes event, a fundraiser in which 25 interior designers from across Virginia create over the top tablescapes in keeping with a theme. But with the new warehouse location, the Holtz team was able to do one of the things it does best: paint a space.
“It felt good to help Little Hands move into their new building, which they really needed,” says company president Rick Holtz. “A lot of people – volunteers, other partners, possible funders – go in that building, and it’s important for it to look good as well as be functional.”
Farber says the warehouse supports Little Hands’ distribution of roughly 100,000 diapers every month. In addition, the organization provides new and gently used clothes, books, toys, baby carriers, strollers, portable cribs, and formula. “We have giant shelves, stocked to the ceiling,” Farber says. “We were unable to do that before moving into this space.”
Little Hands’ clients come via referrals with more than 130 other nonprofit organizations, government agencies, and medical providers. “They let us know when a family is in need so we can get diapers and other essentials out to them,” she says.
Little Hands accepts donations Monday-Wednesday, 1-3 p.m., and occasional Saturdays, as posted on their social media channels. Monetary donations are always welcome, as the organization can purchase some items at cost.
“We rely on partnerships with local businesses to donate supplies, to help support us through the year,” Farber says. “We love any kind of donations. People are often surprised to learn that one of every two families are experiencing diaper need. Our diaper bank responds to this urgent need, making a big difference for families in our community.”
Virginia Tablescapes 2025, Little Hands’ spring fundraiser featuring tablescapes fashioned by interior designers working with the theme of “Where Stories Unfold,” will be May 8 and 9 at The Foundry at Tredegar in Richmond. For more information, visit virginiatablescapes.com.
