Our Automotive Sales Rep and Technician, Alex Lara Jr., was
born into the industry. His father owned a paint and body shop and paint store
HAPCO in the Houston Area in the late 70s and early 80s. As a helper at his dad’s
shop, he received hands-on experience preparing vehicles for painting and later
in life painting them himself.

He went on to lend his expertise to body shops and jobbers in
the North Houston, Montgomery County & Walker County area. He was not
limited to painting vehicles as he also prepared and painted jet skis, boats,
and industrial pipe.

Additionally, with the product knowledge he gained working
in shops he became a Sales Rep and Tech Support. He has sold multiple lines of
paint including PPG, Dupont, Matrix, ProSpray & GlobalStar.  He had over 15 years of selling experience
before starting this business with his son, Alex Lara III and daughter-in-law
Karina Betancourt Lara about 3 years ago.

Our Owner Alex Lara III background is in steel fabrication
industry with over 15 years as an AutoCAD and 3D Advanced Steel Operator and
Manager. He studied business at LSU and Texas A&M University-Corpus
Christi.

Our Co-Owner Karina Betancourt Lara also has been in the
steel fabrication industry for over 15 years as a bookkeeper, Project Manager
and General Manager. She graduated from Texas A&M University- Corpus
Christi in 2007.

Our Industrial Sales Rep and Store Manager, Omar Betancourt
has been in the steel fabrication and oilfield industries for over 15
years.  He has hands-on experience
fabricating custom steel products and parts such as pulsers for the oilfield.

Combined, the AKL Supplies family has 50 years of experience
in the Automotive Paint and Body Industry and 45 years in the steel
fabrication/industrial trades.