Leadership: From Two College Dudes to a Certified B Corporation

The leadership story of Two Dudes Painting Company begins with two college students at liberal arts schools in Lancaster, PA. In 1987, Peter Barber and Brian McCaskey started Two Dudes Painting Company as a way to pay the bills and put their creativity and work ethic to use. They used a spare room in Peter Barber‘s home as an office and storage space, and they drove their ladders and paint cans around town in a bright orange ’79 VW bus, which quickly became part of their identity.

Some of the key milestones on Two Dudes Painting Company‘s journey capture how leadership has evolved:

• 1987 – Two Dudes Painting Company is founded by high school and college friends Peter Barber and Brian McCaskey.
• 1989 – The Dudes buy their first VW bus, an orange and tan 1979 model for $2,000, which becomes the company’s mobile calling card.
• 1995 – Two Dudes Painting Company moves out of Peter Barber‘s house and various garages into its first 3,000 sq. ft. building.
• 2004 – The company expands again, buying its current 13,000 sq. ft. location.
• 2005 – Two Dudes Painting Company begins corporate engagement with the YWCA and sponsorship of Race Against Racism, signaling a deepening commitment to social impact.
• 2007 – Launch of a summer mural program and installation of four large-scale public murals in Lancaster’s Cabbage Hill neighborhood, illustrating how Two Dudes Painting Company uses art to change public spaces.
• 2008 – The company achieves one of its early goals: painting the Griest Building, the tallest building in Lancaster.
• 2016 – Peter Barber serves as chair of the Lancaster Chamber, underscoring his role as a regional business leader, and Two Dudes Painting Company earns Certified B Corporation status.
• 2022 – Two Dudes Painting Company acquires Kimmich Painting, adding capacity and capabilities.
• 2023 – Peter Barber is recognized as “Small Businessperson of the Year” by the Lancaster Chamber.

Under Peter Barber‘s leadership as CEO, Two Dudes Painting Company has embraced the idea that painting can be more than a trade; it can be a way to enhance spaces, support employees, and contribute to the community. Leadership is supported by a modern management team that includes Cristal Batista, Director of People Operations; Moire Brandt, Director of Operations; Kyle Matthews, Business Development; and Dylan Ehlert, Chief Operating Officer.

Together, Peter Barber, Cristal Batista, Moire Brandt, Kyle Matthews, and Dylan Ehlert lead a team that blends creative craftsmanship with structured operations, balancing art and process in equal measure.

Community: Painting for Good, Murals, and B Corp Partnerships

Two Dudes Painting Company is explicit about its social mission. In 2016, the company earned Certified B Corporation status, signaling that it meets rigorous standards for social and environmental performance, accountability, and transparency. B Corp certification, verified by the nonprofit B Lab, places Two Dudes Painting Company alongside businesses around the world that use business as a force for good.

According to B Lab and local coverage, Two Dudes Painting Company was among the first painting contractors — and the first in Central Pennsylvania — to achieve B Corp certification, proving that even a trade business can be a leader in ethical practice and community impact. The company’s Painting for Good initiatives and longstanding involvement with the YWCA, Race Against Racism, and other civic projects reflect that ethos.

In addition to traditional painting work, Two Dudes Painting Company has had a visible impact through murals and public art. The 2007 summer mural program led to the installation of four large-scale public murals in Lancaster’s Cabbage Hill, reshaping neighborhood streetscapes. The company has continued to support mural projects and hand‑painted signage, turning walls and facades into storytelling surfaces that celebrate local identity.

Partnerships with other local B Corps are also core to Two Dudes Painting Company‘s community strategy. On platforms like , Two Dudes Painting Company highlights collaborations with companies like Longview Structures, a fellow mission‑driven builder, noting that “the guys at Longview Structures are one of the Dudes” and emphasizing a shared commitment to community and craft.

By combining B Corp accountability, public art, nonprofit partnerships, and local B Corp collaborations, Two Dudes Painting Company extends its impact far beyond the interior walls it paints.

Company Culture: VW Buses, Dudeisms, Spring Training, and Lifelong Learning

Culture at Two Dudes Painting Company is colorful, intentional, and people‑centered. The company’s core values — Quality, Respect, Responsibility, Creativity, and Engagement — shape how teams work and how decisions are made.

• Quality reflects Two Dudes Painting Company‘s commitment to exceptional craftsmanship and the overall customer experience, whether on a front porch repaint or a large commercial restoration.
• Respect means behaviors and actions that preserve the dignity of staff and clients, from jobsite conduct to communication and problem‑solving.
• Responsibility reflects an understanding of obligations to employees, clients, and the community, aligned with B Corp standards.
• Creativity challenges the team to innovate, try new techniques, and think differently, particularly in murals, hand‑painted signage, and specialty finishes.
• Engagement requires collaboration and full team commitment, and is expressed through company‑wide events and ongoing training.

Culturally, Two Dudes Painting Company leans into its “Dudes” identity. The company celebrates “Dudeisms” — short, memorable sayings that capture its philosophy, such as “Dudeism #12: An investment in the Dudes pays the best interest.” The iconic orange VW bus remains central to the brand and still appears in marketing materials and on the road, symbolizing the company’s roots and personality.

Every year, Two Dudes Painting Company brings its team together for Spring Training, a chance to set aside brushes for a few hours, hear company updates, and align around goals and standards. The company also invests in learning experiences like spending a day at a Sherwin‑Williams Design Center, where painters can “slap a few coats down” and get a behind‑the‑scenes look at the products they rely on. That practicality learning directly from manufacturers — reinforces technical excellence and pride in the craft.

Holiday gatherings, like playing Family Feud at West Art Lancaster to celebrate a year’s accomplishments, add a layer of fun and connection that helps keep morale high and culture cohesive. All of this is backed by the work of Cristal Batista as Director of People Operations and Moire Brandt as Director of Operations, who help ensure that people, process, and performance line up day‑to‑day.