Bret Berner

Some people are happiest with a paintbrush in their hand. Sales manager Bret Berner is happiest putting one there.

After spending 15 years at Sherwin Williams, where he learned the ins and outs of commercial paint sales and management, Bret joined the Colorize team in Niskayuna in 2018.

“I really enjoy helping customers grow their businesses by being a valued partner they can rely on,” he says. “There’s nothing more important than building good customer relationships, and nothing more rewarding than being able to help them successfully through a project from beginning to end.”   

Working at Colorize is much like it is working with Colorize (especially if you like talking about sports most of the day!), Bret says.

“Being a smaller-sized, independent paint dealer means that there is greater accountability. There is communication and trust between each other and with our customers that you just don’t find at the big box stores.”

Most unusual item a customer has asked me to color match: Urinal cakes. Don’t ask!

A paint disaster I learned from is: While setting up our Niskayuna store, a shelf crashed down and paint spilled all over the floor. Long story short, boss Don Duttine was less than thrilled, but I am happy to say I’m still employed.   

Current project on the go: I plan on refinishing some end tables, first sanding them down with a Festool power sander and then staining them.

My favorite product to work with: Scuff-X, the scuff-resistant interior latex paint from Benjamin Moore is great because of the versatility it offers. It works great in so many different facilities, including high-traffic commercial and light industrial areas.

The best tool a handy homeowner can invest in is: A good paint brush.

If I could describe myself as a Benjamin Moore paint color, it would be: Revere Pewter HC-172. It’s constant, dependable, and above all – it executes perfectly and gets the job done beautifully.