Legacy In Every Stroke

How Ausherman Painting Grew Across Generations

By Jessica Delp

When you walk into Ausherman Painting today, you’re stepping into more than just a business — you’re witnessing the evolution of a family legacy that began nearly half a century ago. Founded in 1979 by Mike Ausherman, the company’s roots trace back to a pivotal moment that changed the course of their family’s future.

Mike was employed by a local PA contractor when the Three Mile Island incident shook Central Pennsylvania. Like many, he chose to evacuate. Upon returning, he found that his job was no longer waiting for him. Facing a crossroads, he decided to forge his own path and founded Ausherman Painting out of necessity, resilience, and an entrepreneurial spark.

Meanwhile, his son Zach, now the owner, grew up around the business but admits he wasn’t exactly enamored with painting in his youth. “I worked some Summers, but honestly hated it — it was hot, and all I did was scrape and sand,” he laughs. Instead, he pursued degrees in politics and business, spending years as a lobbyist and later working in the equipment industry. It seemed painting might skip a generation.

Life, however, has its way of looping back. The transition came with its share of growing pains, as is often the case in any evolving business. “That first Winter we were down to three painters,” Zach recalls. But from those early days, the team has grown to 16 or 17 strong. As the business evolved, Zach helped introduce a cultural shift building on the foundation that was already in place and nurturing a workplace centered on trust, accountability, and mutual respect.

“I have a team now that, if I’m away, everything keeps running smoothly. I can trust them completely,” he says. Even more meaningful, though, are the personal wins - employees who have been able to buy cars and houses through steady, meaningful work. “That’s huge for me,” he says.

Under Zach’s leadership, Ausherman Painting has also leaned into community impact. They’ve launched an apprentice program to train the next generation, recognizing the critical need for skilled trades. Projects like their work with the York County Fire Museum serve dual purposes - giving back to the community while

providing hands-on learning opportunities for apprentices. One particularly meaningful project has been maintaining the Trolley Master’s Station — a nod to Zach’s own family history. His great-grandfather, a City of York police officer, used the station to stay warm during the winter months. “I always thought that was such a cool York roots story,” Zach shares.

The company’s geographic reach has expanded too, thanks in part to Zach living in Mechanicsburg. They maintain two Google business profiles, driving steady work up north, and routinely complete 350 to 400 projects a year.

While the company started firmly rooted in York, today their work stretches across a broader central PA footprint and routinely completes 350 to 400 projects a year.

Ausherman Painting also boasts over 475 five-star Google reviews — the most of any painting contractor in the Susquehanna Valley — a testament to the team’s commitment to quality and customer satisfaction.

Yet through all the growth and change, Ausherman Painting remains deeply tied to York. Zach values the region’s strong work ethic and sees the company’s local contributions — whether refreshing historic properties like the Appell Mansion or partnering on Main Street revitalization projects — as a meaningful way to give back.

Now in its 46th year, Ausherman Painting stands as a testament to the grit of one generation and the vision of the next. Under Zach’s thoughtful, modern leadership, the company isn’t just painting walls — they’re building a brighter future for their employees, their customers, and their community.

aushermanpainting.com | 717.843.4605