Serrano has trained dozens of painters throughout her career, leaving what she calls her “carbon imprint” on the industry
Vacaville, Calif.—After five decades behind the spray gun, Norma Alicia Serrano of Maaco Vacaville has been named Maaco’s inaugural Painter of the Year, recognizing her craft, mentorship, and lasting impact on the industry.
Serrano, who has been part of the Maaco Vacaville team for nearly 18 years, is known for her artistry, precision, and deep pride in her work. Working alongside owner Vince McAllister, a longtime friend and colleague, she has helped define the shop’s family-oriented culture and reputation for quality.
“When I was 14, one of my best friends’ dads had this beat-up 1932 business coupe,” Serrano said. “It disappeared for two weeks, and when it came back, it looked brand new. I was amazed. I thought, I want to do that.”
By 15, she had her own car. “My father told me, if you keep wrecking your car, you’re going to have to learn how to fix it,” she laughed. “And here I am, 50 years later.”
When Serrano entered the trade, there were few women and even fewer still who were taken seriously. “I had to work my way up, and sometimes that meant doing extra work to prove I belonged,” she said. “But I loved it. I was learning body work, masking, sanding, color matching — everything. I wanted to be able to do it all.”
Her talent caught the attention of industry leaders. “Paint companies like PPG started sending me spray guns to test,” she said. “It brought out my inner self.”
She even briefly considered a career in law enforcement after graduating from the Napa Police Academy, but painting always pulled her back. “I chose painting,” she said. “It’s where I belonged.”
Over the years, Serrano has painted everything from Cobras to garbage trucks. Her very first professional job, a gold Lincoln Continental, nearly ended her career before it began. “The needle on my gun stuck and shot a stream across the whole car,” Serrano said. “I thought, ‘Oh no, that’s it.’ But I stayed late and fixed it. That’s when I learned the real difference between a painter and an applicator: anyone can spray paint, but not everyone can fix their mistakes.”
Her expertise and attention to detail have earned her multiple awards, including Manager of the Year, but she says her greatest joy comes from the work itself and from teaching others. “You have to know your tools,” she said. “I tell my painters; you’ve got to know your spray gun. If something goes wrong, you need to know how to fix it.”
Serrano has trained dozens of painters throughout her career, leaving what she calls her “carbon imprint” on the industry. Many of those she’s mentored have gone on to successful painting careers of their own.
These days, Serrano is motivated by her grandkids and the next generation of painters she continues to inspire. “They always ask, ‘Grandma, what kind of car did you paint today?’ It keeps me going. My family keeps me grounded.”
She also hopes to see more women join the trade. “I think women make amazing painters. They pay attention to detail, they’re clean, they’re careful. I want more women to see this as something they can do.”
Serrano will be formally recognized as Maaco’s 2025 Painter of the Year during the company’s annual convention this month at Planet Hollywood in Las Vegas.
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