Meet Your Middletown And Bear Team

Kathy and Dave Stracke opened Five Star Painting in Delaware in December 2015. They’ve been life and business partners for more than 23 years, and are long-time residents of Newark, Delaware. Their passion for delivering superior customer service has been the key to their success. While Dave is a Minnesota Vikings fan, Kathy cheers for the Philadelphia Eagles (go Birds) but both share a love for the Phillies. They have five children and 3 grandchildren.

Susie Moak has been with Five Star Painting since May 2018. With her professional background in the real estate industry, she brings a wealth of knowledge about property enhancements, trends, and styles. Susie has a dynamic personality that allows her to connect authentically with clients. She is a proud veteran of the U.S. Army.

John joined the Five Star Painting team as an Estimator in the spring of 2026. A Puerto Rico native, he lives in the Pike Creek area with his wife and young son. In addition to helping homeowners bring their projects to life, John is an accomplished lifestyle photographer. When he's not working, you'll often find him enjoying a round of golf on a beautiful day.

Pete Curcio joined the Five Star Painting team in the spring of 2026 as a part-time estimator. Before joining us, Pete enjoyed a distinguished corporate career, serving as Vice President of Junior Achievement and later as CFO/COO of the Beau Biden Foundation. In retirement, Pete stays active by pursuing his passions for photography, attending concerts, and teaching classes.

Megan joined the Five Star team in 2023. She is a problem-solver, has a great eye for detail and her many years of previous managerial experience makes her the perfect liaison between painters and clients. Megan lives in Bear with her children and partner, and is a non-apologetic Dallas Cowboys fan!

Karen Ehemann joined the team in 2021, and has been instrumental in keeping the entire operation on schedule, week in and week out. Her strong organizational skills and ability to problem-solve make her a valued member of the team, as does her sunny disposition and sense of humor. Karen is happily married and the mother of two teenagers, which explains her ability to multi-task like a beast!

Eylin joined the team in 2025 as an administrative specialist experienced in remote support, communication management, and task coordination. As a busy mom of two girls, just two years apart, she has developed strong multitasking and organizational skills that carry over to her worklife. Eylin is top-notch at keeping communication and internal processes well structured to ensure every painting project runs smoothly.

Sarah joined Five Star Painting as a Color Consultant after her exceptional eye for design and creative use of color caught our attention. She has transformed both residential and commercial spaces through thoughtful interior design. Sarah lives in Wilmington with her husband and, in her free time, enjoys expressing her creativity through a variety of artistic projects.