Top of the Chain Annual Recap

Fence News’ monthly Top of ANNUAL RECAP the Chain feature showcases leaders within the fencing industry who have achieved a level of success in their career. Most would say they aren’t finished yet; they have miles to go, but, looking into their accomplishments, there are definite pinnacles and markers in the road where they met their goals and enjoyed a moment of accomplishment. We would like to offer you a recap of our Top of the Chain recipients. A few from when we began back in October, 2020 and those throughout this year. This collection of industry leaders has much to offer.

OCTOBER, 2020 RICHARD STELLABUTO, IRON WORLD MANUFACTURING, LLC

Iron World began in 2003. CEO and President Richard Stellabuto originally learned the craft from his father-in-law, Jack Long, who was head of his own company. Richard eventually developed his own vision of how to make improvements, and started his own manufacturing business, Iron World.

Beginning in a 5,000 square foot building, Richard performed jobs day and night, and he handled all aspects: selling, estimating, making the product, sub-contracting as necessary for powder-coating, and then billing. Over the years Iron World has made deep capital investments in its state-of-theart powder coating line, which amazingly now encompasses roughly three football fields, and can produce over a mile of steel and aluminum finished fencing products on any given day. Even with its success and capabilities, Iron World is continuing to strategically expand, partner with like-minded high quality companies in the industry and always examining new opportunities to innovate, while first and foremost taking care of the customer.

Over the years, Iron World has handled numerous challenging high-profile projects, including the Pentagon with a custom logo cut and then expertly welded into the fence, the Naval Base in Norfolk, Virginia, the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, the Military Academy at West Point, New York, Legoland New York Theme Park, Visa Headquarters in Miami, Florida, NYESPN Capital Headquarters, and the NFL New England Patriots’ Gillette Football Stadium in Massachusetts.

NOVEMBER, 2020 DAVID CALABRIA, D&D TECHNOLOGIES

Founded in 1990 in Australia, the USA portion of D&D Technologies opened in 1996 and the European operation opened in 2003. David Calabria worked for D&D as a consultant from 1992, he officially joined as general manager in 1995 and became CEO in 2001.

D&D started as a high-quality pool fence and balustrade company. The founders, David Doyle and Neil Dunne (hence the “D&D), became concerned with the amount of call-backs involving the poor-quality or ineffective gate latches and hinges used on critical applications such as pool fencing. They knew there had to be a better way, hence they created many latch and hinge innovations that revolutionized the gate hardware industry.

Calabria worked in several industries before D&D and respects the uniqueness found within the fencing industry and admires all entrepreneurs who put everything on the line, year after year, and generation after generation.

DECEMBER, 2020 TONY THORNTON, AMERICAN FENCE ASSOCIATION

Tony Thornton with American Fence Association has worked with nearly every type of discipline within the industry, but he reflects that it’s not so much the disciplines that he enjoys, it’s the industry people. He says the fencing industry has some of the most robust, hard-working, honest and caring people that he genuinely enjoys spending time with.

Tony implemented a business approach to the AFA; he and his staff focused their attention on the needs of the members and membership numbers have increased from fewer than 800 members in 2014 to approximately 1600 at the end of 2020. The three main goals of AFA staff are to help members make money, save money, and minimize their risk. He invites anyone within the fencing industry to join AFA.

JANUARY, 2021 PAT MOORE, SOUTHWESTERN WIRE

Upon Pat Moore’s marriage to Max, she became involved in his family’s steel and wire business. Max was a founder of Southwestern Wire and Pat also helped him in virtually every aspect of business. After his tragic death, Pat stepped into a management role. David Weinand assumed the role of president and each team member stepped up and carried on. Pat says the loyalty, dedication and persistence of the team was invaluable and is the reason Southwestern Wire exists.

While the fencing industry is maledominated, Pat says women can thrive. She says it’s a dynamic industry filled with some of the most hardworking, honest and down-toearth people.

FEBRUARY, 2021 PAUL GERMAN, NEBRASKA PLASTICS

Nebraska Plastics celebrated 75 years of business last year. It was founded in 1945 by Milo German. It is the oldest familyowned plastic extrusion company in North America. After a tragic airplane crash in 1957, leadership was handed over to Rex, Milo’s son. At the young age of 22, Rex continued the invention mindset with the company developing the first above-ground PVC gated irrigation pipe. Many other firsts were achieved, thanks to their innovation. Today,

Paul German is at the helm, continuing the creativity and leadership defined by his father and grandfather.

In 2005, Paul owned his own fence company in Des Moines. His father had a stroke and while he recovered and was able to continue working, it caused the family to realize a plan was needed for transitioning the company. The siblings voted for Paul, so in 2006, he became vice president and was eventually promoted to president and CEO.

He says being passionate about the industry, getting involved and hiring great people with that same passion are the keys to his success.

MARCH, 2021 ANDREA HOGAN, FENCING SUPPLY GROUP

Andrea Hogan , formerly with Merchants Metals and now with Fencing Supply Group, says authenticity and curiosity are characteristics that are necessary for good leadership.

She began her career working for her father, running maintenance storerooms for Coors Brewing, Black+Decker, Kraft Foods and others. She held various roles that culminated with being named CEO of Merchants Metals at the time of our Top of the Chain feature in March. Since then, Merchants Metals was sold to The Sterling Group, and a new platform was created called Fencing Supply Group, of which Andrea is the CEO. Shortly after FSG was formed, it purchased Binford Supply and has since made a handful of additional acquisitions.

Andrea testified on Capitol Hill in 2015 in favor of the National Strategic Agenda, an effort to advance goals and solutions for America’s workforce. She said being invited to testify was one of the greatest honors of her life, and she saw it also as her duty. To bring her business experience and speak directly to federal lawmakers about supporting economic growth was a monumental moment.

She says the best advice for someone new to the fencing industry is to learn, learn, learn. Understand all aspects of perimeter security; from the bills of materials and the supply chain to installation and access control. Andrea says leadership is learned and developed over time and by just diving in and learning from mistakes.

APRIL, 2021 MIKE LEVY, NATIONAL METAL INDUSTRIES

As vice-president with National Metal Industries, Mike Levy’s involvement within the industry came through a love of trade shows and his family’s hardware store. Mike’s grandfather, Milton, opened the hardware store in Brooklyn, New York during the 1940’s. Mike’s father, Norman, started running the store when he was 16 years old, transforming the hardware store into a fence supply company. The store location eventually moved to Long Island, New York. Mike’s mother, Marie, became owner in 2009.

Mike’s earliest national tradeshow was FENCETECH in New Mexico when he was 13 years old. As he got older, the shows provided inspiration, he would go back to work the following week with fresh ideas of how to improve the business.

He says getting involved with the local chapter of the fence association has been a big benefit by helping him get to know other fence associates and make valuable connections.

MAY, 2021 JON BALL, BALL FABRICS

The leadership at Ball Fabrics is a triumvirate, made up of Jon Ball, his brother Larry, and his father Dale.

Jon’s older brother, Larry, started the business in 1987. Jon spent summers in high school in the back of the plant, cutting and grommeting, and installing windscreen and netting out in the field. After college, he worked at Ball Products as customer service, and in 1999, he started and headed up the commercial fence division. In 2006, he stepped into the role of vice president of operations / president. He says their unique management style allows the three owners to each manage their divisions, but make major decisions as one unit.

Some of their high-profile projects include covering large portions of 2nd Avenue in Manhattan during the initial phase of Second Avenue Subway. Ball Fabrics’ privacy screen has been used on fences throughout the US military base at Guantanamo Bay. They’ve also printed staging and fence graphics for the 4th of July celebration at the Capitol and for the City of Philadelphia’s 4th of July concert and fireworks.

JUNE, 2021 JOE HAYNES, LITTLE BEAVER

Little Beaver is a fourgeneration business. Located in Livingston, Texas, the company’s 30 employees work within a close-knit environment, with long-term customers and family values.

Little Beaver began in 1947 by Newman Haynes, Joe’s grandfather. Newman made his first mower attachment for his friend’s tractor. It inspired him to enter the manufacturing business. Newman’s son, B.R., took the leadership role in the late 1950’s. B.R. expanded Little Beaver into new markets and increased sales. The company was handed over to Joe and his brother, John in the mid 1980’s. The brothers have refined the process, expanded product lines and improved equipment.

Joe says the entrepreneurial spirit is alive and well at Little Beaver; they continue to innovate accessories and new products to help customers. They take pride in providing products that will help fencing contractors get their jobs done quickly and safely.

JULY, 2021 PETER WILLIAMS, JR., EASTERN FENCE

Founded by Peter Williams, Sr., in 1971, Eastern Fence celebrated its 50th anniversary this year. Putting nuts and bolts into frame hinges was Peter Williams, Jr.’s first job at the age of five, giving him an early introduction to the working world. Growing up, he worked in all areas, including fittings, loading and unloading trucks, as well as driving trucks and working in the purchasing department. After college, while working at a large accounting firm, his father invited him to work with him at Eastern Fence as Chief Financial Officer.

By focusing on smart business moves, they’ve fine-tuned their products and offerings, which promoted growth and a solid business foundation. In 2017, Peter Williams, Sr. left the business while Peter Williams, Jr. and his incredible team continued on to grow the company .

Eastern Fence provides next-day delivery on in-stock items, giving their customers a tremendous advantage in keeping jobs consistently moving forward. Under Peter Williams, Jr., the company is positioned to increase capacity and growth in the Fence and Railing industry through acquisitions and other new locations around the country.

Recently, Eastern Fence opened a new PVC extrusion facility in Salisbury, NC and has made a few acquisitions including acquiring the assets of Hudson Fence Supply Company in Fort Mill, South Carolina and more recently purchasing Shoreline Vinyl Systems in Denton Maryland and Coastal Aluminum in Laurinburg, NC. Positioned for growth, Eastern Fence has the resources for continued development.

AUGUST, 2021 TERRY STEPHENS, STEPHENS PIPE & STEEL

A summer job for a manufacturer of farm gates introduced Terry Stephens with Stephens Pipe & Steel to the steel business. He began a small business in 1974. J.R. Mann was the first employee of Stephens Pipe, and a driving force behind the success in the early days until his untimely death in 2012.

As a native of Russell County, as well as