Preston Duval knows how to seize a day before it gets rolling. While many locals remain deep in slumber, Duval reviews his to-do list, which includes marketing, customer service, materials inventory, handling estimates and managing work crews. He organizes brushes, scrapers, ladders and cans of Sherwin Williams paint, and is adept at training others in safety measures, answering clients’ questions and overseeing the proper draping of protective sheeting.
Described by his supervisor as cool, calm and collected, Duval brings a sense of responsibility and dependability to every job site he oversees, deftly guiding workers as they spruce up homes and outbuildings in our region. And this may surprise readers: Preston Duval is 18 years old.
Duval is the youngest branch manager of Student Painters, a position he secured through an internship program at Greenfield Community College, where he studies business management. Student Painters operates throughout New England as well as in Michigan, Ohio and Kentucky.
Founded in Ontario, Canada in 1985, Student Painters has been headquartered in Michigan since 1987 and recruits, hires, and trains young folks between the ages of 18 and 23 to do exterior painting. I’ve seen their lawn signs around the valley and, as someone who worked in the trades during my early 20s — framing and roofing — I was curious about the company. Recently, after meeting a young painter named Lily as she worked in my neighborhood, I decided to learn more.
Nick Germano, general manager of Student Painters’ New England region, is Duval’s supervisor.
“It’s unusual for us to hire an 18-year-old to be a branch manager,” said Germano. “We interviewed 300 people for the position, and we knew Preston was the one for the job due to how he handled himself during his interview. What struck me most was his thoughtfulness in answering questions; Preston never rushes his replies. He takes his time when it’s appropriate, yet he’s always prompt for work. That’s a great combination.”
Currently living in Rowe, Duval graduated from Franklin County Technical School two years ago at age 16.
Duval lived in the Middle East until age 11.
“My dad grew up in Easthampton, so he’s from around here, but I was born in Bahrain when my dad was in the Navy,” he said.
Bahrain, the third-smallest country in Asia, is located near the western shore of the Persian Gulf; the country is an archipelago made up of dozens of islands. As a child, Duval visited the U.S. twice, including once when he was too young to remember.
“Moving to New England was a huge change,” said Duval, who enrolled in Mohawk Trail Regional School at the end of seventh grade. “I grew up in the desert, and now I’m surrounded by forests, mountains, rivers, and lakes.” Asked which ecosystem he prefers, he replied: “There’s beauty in both.”
Social experiences were vastly different in Bahrain, said Duval, who attended a school that enrolled students from all over the world. “In my friend group, there were eight or 10 of us who got along great, and no two of us were from the same culture or country of origin,” said Duval, who is Filipino-American. “That was really cool, and I miss that aspect.”
Another thing Duval misses is the way he and his friends would talk for hours, discussing a wide range of topics while respecting both similarities and differences.
Duval’s early experiences informed his ability to work with groups and communicate effectively. His supervisor noted, “Preston is one of 18 branch managers in New England, and I can honestly say that he’s one of the top branch managers in the whole country.”
Germano, himself a 2023 graduate of the University of Massachusetts Amherst, added, “In 2021, when I was a sophomore at UMass, I started out with Student Painters in the same role Preston has now. We’re very thankful to be part of his growth; he’s learning a lot about management, interviewing, marketing and sales.”
It’s easy to forget that Duval is still in his teens while witnessing his gravitas on a job site. On a recent Monday morning, he got down to business first thing as crew members arrived and parked in front of a 200-year-old Shelburne home with a stunning view. Duval directed the removal of ladders from a pickup truck and guided the crew through the proper installation of protective sheeting to keep paint chips and debris from falling into the soil. The homeowner, a retired tradesperson in his mid-70s, kept a close eye on the crew while explaining why he decided to go with Student Painters.
“I spent years climbing up and down ladders,” he said. “After doing it for decades, one day, while putting on a roof, I had the sudden realization that I didn’t want to climb ladders any longer. I was done.” With a house that needed attention, the homeowner saw a Student Painters sign and decided to give them a try.
Duval reached out to Student Painters in July of 2025, hoping for a job based on the fact that he had some painting experience. “I had no idea I’d be hired as branch manager,” he said.
In September, he began months-long training in Waltham. “The [Student Painter] CEO came from Michigan to work with us. I learned about recruitment, marketing and doing estimates,” he said. “At first, estimates felt tricky, but now it’s second nature. Every job is different. Some require more scraping, some need more prep or lots of set up. Others are real simple: very little prep and just one coat.”
Duval hit the ground running in March, knocking on doors to drum up business, distributing flyers and getting the word out on social media. Now that crews are trained and the season is fully underway, Duval spends most of his time off-site taking care of other tasks. When he’s not working, he hangs out with friends, goes to the gym and spends time outdoors.
In high school, he played soccer and participated in track; his favorite event was sprinting 100 meters, and he still loves to be physically active. “I’m super happy here,” he said. “I like this country. I like the weather and the seasons. I’d love to visit Bahrain again one day, but this is my home now.”
To reach Duval and Student Painters, readers may call 413-398-6474 or email prestonduval778@gmail.com.
Eveline MacDougall no longer climbs ladders for a living, but has huge respect for anyone who does. She can be reached at evelinemacdougall@gmail.com.