Paulsen Development was founded in 1989 by Richard A. Paulsen, CPA, MBA, and BSACC. The company’s foundation is built on the family principles developed over 85 years of Paulsen’s doing business in the Capital Region.

The Paulsen family’s American heritage began with the emigration of young carpenter Karl A. Paulsen from Germany in 1930. By virtue of a tenacious adherence to values based on integrity and a strong work ethic, with some good fortune along the way, Karl Paulsen was one who achieved the American Dream.

In the 1930s, Karl began by enclosing porches, some of which can still be seen today on many of Albany’s older homes with their trademark sunburst signature. In 1952, spurred on by the requests of neighbors, he and his son Rudy started selling lumber out of their home and millwork shop. From this humble beginning, Paulsen Lumber would become a multi-million dollar fixture on Railroad Avenue in Albany.

In the 1960s, Karl and his son Rudy expanded beyond just being suppliers into contracting. They built manufactured garages and single-family homes in addition to operating their lumber company. Through their entrepreneurial spirit, Karl and Rudy Paulsen established the current principles of Paulsen Development.

Beyond their business achievements, Karl and Rudy Paulsen were successful in more important ways. They earned wide respect among their peers for their high standards and became community leaders. At the time of their deaths, Karl in 2000 and Rudy in 2012, they were the beloved patriarchs of a family that can all trace their achievements to the principles Karl and Rudy Paulsen established 85 years earlier. Karl and Rudy’s spirit of honesty, integrity, responsibility, and respect for others still guides our company today.