Bobby Ahlstedt, Owner

Bobby was raised in Weymouth, MA just south of Boston. There he spent most of his high school days dedicated to hockey and learning the family business of drywall. He began his career in the industry as a subcontractor once he was out of high school. Then, at the age of 25, a career opportunity was presented in Tampa, Florida. There, Bobby worked for the largest residential drywall company in West Central Florida. He eventually became a Division Manager and learned his way around the business side of the trade.

The housing market began to take a turn for the worst. Bobby then took the opportunity to use his expertise and open his own company in New Orleans. Hurricane Katrina had left the city devastated and in desperate need of professional, honest contractors. Since January of 2007, Bobby has grown his business into something he is very proud of today.

He lives in Metairie with his wife Jessica, and their Bulldog, Elma. At heart, he is one of the biggest Red Sox fans you will meet.

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Jessica Ahlstedt, Accounts Manager

Jessica was raised in Indiana to a family in the drywall business. Upon going to college, she decided to take an alternate route from the construction world and study Special Education. After graduating from Purdue University, Jessica taught for five years and then decided it was time for a new challenge. This led her to a sales position for a large drywall company in West Central Florida where she met her husband, Bobby. Together, they made the move to New Orleans to pursue owning their own company.

Today she is the Accounts Manager that holds all the pieces of the business together. She enjoys the outdoors and spending free time with her family.

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Ed Ahlstedt, Area Manager

Ed Ahlstedt is the oldest member of the Ahl-Wal Drywall team. Born and raised in Weymouth, the south of Boston, he spent his early years learning everything from framing to drywall to trim work. Although very interested in the construction industry, he joined the United States Marines. When he had served his time, Eddie decided to get back into construction making and installing kitchen cabinets. Unfortunately, the industry was fading at the time, so Eddie entered the United States Postal Service. He worked for over thirty years on a mail route and as a union letter carrier, all the while doing construction jobs whenever possible.

Upon retirement, Ed returned to doing what he likes most. In 2006, he moved to Florida and started his own drywall texture company. However, the market once again went soft so Ed relocated to New Orleans to work with his son, Bobby.

Ed has grown to love this city. He enjoys sharing his life-long knowledge as Ahl-Wal Drywall grows into a family operated business.

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