Husky Rugby and Phinney Ridge Painting: A Winning Partnership on and off the Field

The connection between Phinney Ridge Painting (PRP) and the Husky Rugby Club continues to grow stronger with each passing year. This summer, PRP welcomed two new hires from the club: Jsame Fola and Liam Patrick Tamisiea-Davis. While two additional players are still working on returning their paperwork (ahem — Will Wheaton is on the case), these new recruits are just the latest in a long line of Huskies to join the team at PRP.

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A Legacy of Support and Shared Values

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Over the years, Phinney Ridge Painting has proudly supported Husky Rugby through a range of financial contributions — from sponsoring match kits and alumni banquets to offering direct donations and broader club sponsorships. While PRP hasn’t made a large endowment gift yet, the consistent, boots-on-the-ground support has had a real impact on the team and its players.

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But what does PRP get in return? According to PRP founders Nik Palladino and Sam Bennet-Cumming, it’s about pride and purpose. Supporting the rugby club is a way to give back to the sport that helped shape their lives. Though Sam didn't attend UW, he was a devoted B-side player who made the trek to Seattle as often as possible. Today, he coaches for the newly formed Mt. Si Wildcats Rugby Club in North Bend, WA.

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For both Sam and Nik, rugby was more than a game — it was a training ground for life. The teamwork, grit, and resilience they developed on the pitch now fuel their success as entrepreneurs, employers, and community leaders.

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A Proven Pipeline of Talent

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PRP’s relationship with the UW Rugby Club has also served as a fruitful recruiting pipeline. The company has benefited from the strength and spirit of rugby players who bring both brains and brawn to the job site. In a tight labor market, that’s no small thing — especially during the peak summer season when demand is high.

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Over the years, PRP has hired several standout UW alums, including Nate Olsen, Bill Passmore, Adam Stauffer, and Galen Cheney. Whether they worked a single summer or stayed on for years, each contributed to the company’s steady growth.

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Why PRP Is a Great Summer (and Long-Term) Opportunity

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A summer job at PRP is about more than just a paycheck — though the pay is excellent. Full-time seasonal workers are eligible for healthcare benefits and access to a Simple IRA, offering young workers a rare combination of security and flexibility.

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Nik himself paid his way through college as a professional painter, and ultimately found more opportunity in the trades than through his degree from UW’s prestigious Jackson School. Both he and Sam believe that learning a trade during college is not only a smart short-term move, but also a powerful backup plan or launchpad into entrepreneurship.

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Best of all? Painting houses during the summer provides a fulfilling, structured, and well-compensated way to take a break from the academic grind — while gaining valuable skills and building real-world experience.