get to know the friendly faces behind
Octavio Peña — Founder, Chief Operating Officer (COO) & Director of Training
Octavio Peña is the Founder and Chief Operating Officer of Brush & Pride Painting, where he leads all aspects of production, project execution, and workforce development. Building the company from the ground up, Octavio established Brush & Pride on a simple but demanding principle: exceptional craftsmanship and strong relationships must coexist—every time, on every project.
As COO, Octavio leads from the field. He oversees complex residential and commercial projects, trains crews on job sites, and continuously refines systems that ensure consistency, safety, and quality at scale. His hands-on leadership is especially critical on historic restorations, luxury custom homes, and large commercial builds where precision, accountability, and coordination are non-negotiable.
Octavio’s approach to leadership is rooted in people. He focuses on recruiting skilled tradesmen, developing them relentlessly, and building teams that take pride not only in how the work looks, but in how it’s delivered. Whether managing multimillion-dollar projects or mentoring a new team member, he holds the same standard: excellence is mandatory, and the process of achieving it should strengthen the team, not burn it out.
Under his operational leadership, Brush & Pride has earned a reputation for flawless execution and professionalism—becoming a trusted partner for clients, contractors, and designers who expect their finishing crews to perform at the highest level.
C. J. Ellis — Chief Executive Officer (CEO) & Licensed Contractor
CJ Ellis is the Chief Executive Officer of Brush & Pride Painting, where he leads the company’s operations, business development, and long-term growth strategy with a singular focus: establishing Brush & Pride as Arkansas’s most trusted painting and restoration firm for luxury custom homes.
As CEO, CJ built Brush & Pride’s growth engine from the ground up by cultivating strong, referral-driven relationships with general contractors, architects, and designers who demand precision, professionalism, and craftsmanship at the highest level. His leadership has positioned Brush & Pride as the finishing crew high-end projects rely on when details matter and reputations are on the line.
Actively involved in the local business community through the North Little Rock Chamber of Commerce, the Little Rock Regional Chamber, and key industry networks, CJ approaches every partnership with a clear philosophy: understand the project, exceed expectations, and turn one exceptional job into a long-term professional relationship.
Our Mission Is Simple.
We aim to make every project with us a positive experience. You’re in good hands. We take the quality of our work seriously, and it shows. It’s in our name, Brush & Pride.
