About Strand's
Get to know your Marshalltown area flooring experts
The history of Strand's began on December 20, 1955, in Ames, Iowa, when The Paint Spot was purchased by Carter A. Strand. This was the first Strand’s location. The three Strand boys, Steve, Bill and Johnl, grew up in the apartment above the store. At that time, Strand’s was a stocking distributor of Colorizer and Glidden Paint. The store in Ames was later operated by John Strand and Bill Strand until 1986. Steve Strand (2nd generation) purchased the Strand’s in Marshalltown in 1973 from the Glidden company when Carter S. Strand (3rd generation) was just three years old. There were three employees at first and the store sold only paint and wallpaper. Since then Strand's has grown into a business selling all types of industrial and residential paint, a complete floor covering department, window treatments and professional decorating services. Strand's relocated to its current, larger storefront in 2001 where they now sell and ship paint internationally and to 33 states and decorate homes and businesses throughout Central Iowa.
Meet the Team
Terry Whaley
Manager Flooring Dept.
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Bio:
Terry grew up locally in the Albion area on a farm. He worked as an installation helper and warehouse help during high school for Mary Lynn Interiors. He earned a BA in Accounting in college. After several years as an accountant, he returned to installing flooring residentially and commercially for 20 years. Terry has managed our flooring department for the past seven years.
Sheila Finnell-Tomlinson
Paint Dept. Manager
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Bio:
Sheila Finnell-Tomlinson grew up as the daughter of a gas pipeline facility manager, so she is familiar with industrial environments. Sheila worked her way through college as a maintenance painter. Since joining the Strand's team in 2012, she has taken on many challenges. Sheila is a NACE level 1 Coating Inspector and works closely with our customers on a continuous basis to problem solve any issues that might arise. Sheila has developed a loyal following of swimming pool owners who work with her when re-coating pools with the RAMUC line of pool paints.
Anna Galbraith
Interior Designer
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Bio:
Anna received her degree in Interior Design from Iowa State University in 2004 and started to design for Strand's that fall. She enjoys talking to clients and helping them create the room of their dreams. From creating custom tile designs to selecting colors for a room, no matter how large or small the project, she loves a challenge and would love to help you!
Jane Chizek
Interior Designer
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Bio:
Jane grew up in this community and raised her family here. Her past work as a small business owner in the cosmetology industry and later in real estate sales has given her an eye for both color and design. That experience, her attention to detail and her creativity have made Jane an integral member of our design staff.
Whitney Perkins
Purchaser Coordinator
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Bio:
Whitney Perkins graduated from Iowa State University and came to us in 2017 after a very successful management career in the hospitality/food service industry. Whitney has stellar customer service skills, both on the phone and in person. She has demonstrated a keen ability to complete demanding projects on time. When challenges arise, Whitney handles them as an opportunity to demonstrate the level of service that keeps customers coming back to Strand's.
Robyn Heiden
Office Manager
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Bio:
Before joining the Strand's team, Robyn worked in the business offices of a Marshalltown bank and the region's education office. She brought her accounting experience to Strand's in 2004 and, since then, has become the Business Office Manager. Robyn's expertise helps keep everything moving smoothly behind the scenes at Strand's.
Karin Podhajsky
Advertising, Office
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Bio:
Karin began working in the family business as a teenager in the late 80's She first worked as an assistant in the store's basement picture framing shop. She graduated from Bethel College with a BA in English. Many years later, Karin now works in the business office where she deals with advertising and supports the flooring and decorating departments.
Carter Strand
Owner, Nace Inspector
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Bio:
Carter Strand was only 3 years old when his father purchased a Glidden Paint Store and moved the family to Marshalltown, Iowa. He began his career at Strand’s at an early age: picking up painters’ cigarette butts in the parking lot for a nickel. After serving as a helicopter air crewman in the United States Navy, Carter earned a Marketing Degree from the University of Northern Iowa. He returned to the family business in 1996.
Today, as the owner of Strand’s, Carter has gained experience working on successful coatings projects in a variety of industries around the world. These experiences include military, wastewater, chemical, nuclear, and OEM applications. Carter’s understands the importance of working directly with manufacturers to develop and maintain correct coatings procedures for their manufactured products. He is aware of the constant need to stay informed about advances in coatings technology in order to provide his clients with the most effective industrial coatings available. Carter offers professional coatings recommendations and NACE Nuclear Certified coatings inspections.
Today, as the owner of Strand’s, Carter has gained experience working on successful coatings projects in a variety of industries around the world. These experiences include military, wastewater, chemical, nuclear, and OEM applications. Carter’s understands the importance of working directly with manufacturers to develop and maintain correct coatings procedures for their manufactured products. He is aware of the constant need to stay informed about advances in coatings technology in order to provide his clients with the most effective industrial coatings available. Carter offers professional coatings recommendations and NACE Nuclear Certified coatings inspections.
Awards & associations
