Same Values, Fresh Energy: Emily on Leading FBD Forward

Change is never easy, yet it's one of the only certainties in life. Since my dad's passing, I've been reflecting on what FBD means to my family, our crews, and most importantly, the Howard County community. My dad and his fences have stood the test of time, and no one can replace Doug—I think we all know that.

While I'll never claim to be my father or possess his decades of expertise (though he did promise me a "universal mind meld" of all his fence knowledge before he passed), I think it's important to introduce myself to the community. I want you to understand who I am, my leadership style, what values I bring, and what changes, if any, I envision for FBD moving forward.

Q: What's the biggest lesson your dad taught you about running FBD?
A: I think there are two: First, take care of your community. This includes both our crews and our customers. My dad often spoke of “doing his church” rather than going to a church service, and I share that mindset. I believe in giving back and that everyone has something valuable to contribute to a conversation, no matter their role or experience level.

Second, rest is just as important as work. Growing up, my dad often had our home and business phone lines connected (the business operates from our home). That lack of separation really struck me as a child, and I promised myself I’d create healthier boundaries between my personal and business life. My dad took pride in working seven days a week without vacations. For me, I’m choosing to protect Sundays for rest and take self-care days as needed. It’s how I can continue showing up for those I care about—including myself.

Q: How would you describe your leadership style in three words?
A: Empathetic, ethical, and collaborative.

I lead every interaction assuming good intent and recognizing I don't know what someone might be facing behind closed doors. That's not to say I'm never frustrated, but approaching people with empathy goes a long way. Ethics have always been central to how I operate, and seeing the impact my dad had on this community has reinforced how important that foundation is. Finally, I'm collaborative because I believe there's something to learn from everyone I meet—whether it's a crew member, a customer, or a supplier. I'm a lifelong learner who genuinely values growth, both personally and professionally.

Q: What's one thing you're definitely keeping the same, and one thing you might do differently?
A: The same values that guided my dad in his work and in life still apply. I believe in transparency and having "hard" conversations. If something is outside my expertise, I'll tell you. If we're four weeks out and you wanted a fence installed in two weeks, I'll be honest about that timeline.

What I'm doing differently: My dad genuinely loved what he did, but during busy seasons, administrative tasks could become overwhelming. I'm excited to modernize some of our systems so I can focus on what matters most—being available for our customers and supporting our crew—rather than getting bogged down in paperwork.

Q: What do you want customers to know about working with FBD under your leadership?
A: My background in education, relationship counseling, and legal compliance might seem like an odd match at first glance, but it actually translates perfectly to this world.

I want you to be an informed consumer who understands your rights as a homeowner and feels empowered making decisions—no matter which contractor you ultimately choose for your fence. Having worked in legal settings, I know how important it is that you understand contract terms, not just check a box. I want you to read the fine print. I want you to understand what you’re signing. I'll never pretend to know something when I don't, but I promise to do everything I can to get you the right answer.

While I'm a millennial who embraces technology more than my dad did, I also have a deep appreciation for his personal touch. It's what made FBD special and continues to do so. While you may see some technology upgrades and operational improvements, you'll never get an AI assistant when you call or email; there will always be a real person you can connect with who genuinely cares about you and your project.

Q: What's your biggest goal for FBD in the next few years?
A: Operational efficiency, education, and brand continuity. I'd love to optimize some of my dad's manual workflows to free up more time where it counts. For example, reducing back-and-forth emails and calls when trying to determine material delivery locations or availability by folding these questions into our intake, while also updating our proposals for a more professional edge. I'm currently evaluating systems to keep an active customer file record instead of just searching through emails or Google Drive, so we have a complete history of your job and all interactions whenever you reach out.

I also deeply believe in education and helping you be a more informed consumer. My goal is that every family I work with walks away not just with a great fence, but with knowledge that serves them well beyond our project together. By the end of our time together, I want to leave your family better than I found you. I mean it.

This educational approach will be woven throughout how I share FBD's story—in our community engagement, in the information we provide, and in continuing to honor my dad through meaningful community involvement.

Q: How do you handle it when someone says “Your dad would have done it this way” or “How would your dad have approached this”?
A: I may be “Doug’s daughter” but I am not my father. When someone says that, I usually acknowledge that my dad had a great approach, then explain how I might handle it based on my own experience and the specific situation at hand. For me, a big part of this transition is honoring my father while stepping outside of just being “Doug's daughter.”

Sometimes, we were so similar it made us butt heads. There’s a photo I have from childhood where I’m sitting on his lap and rolling my eyes. While it might just a photo to some, it is one of my favorites because that captured exactly how we were together.

Doug paved his own way, and I will pave mine while continuing to honor the values of authenticity, transparency, and quality craftsmanship he established. In the hospital, he told me, "You will make mistakes." No perfectionist wants to hear this, but as we transition, there will likely be growing pains. There have already been some. I'm committed to learning from them and always doing right by our customers and crews.

Q: How do you balance honoring your dad's legacy while making FBD your own?
A: For me, it's very clear what my dad built and what his community valued. His celebration of life invitation read, "For the man who built more than fences," for a reason. He was a trusted community member who had a no-BS approach, wanted to give his customers a fair deal, and help them make informed decisions. Sometimes I ask myself how this business—run from inside our home, that my dad operated while working another job, and that my mom supported administratively—has survived and thrived. The answer is simple: his ethics and authenticity set him apart.

For me, the question becomes: how can I honor and preserve those feelings with customers while adding my own personal touch?

The first step is a logo refresh. So many people have commented that FBD signs bring a smile to their face—and those are my dad's signs, always will be. I want to honor him in that way and preserve them as a memorial of his legacy. I want to maintain our brand recognition, but I also want people to be able to see our evolution as we approach our 40th year.

The other piece is doing what I do best: telling stories. FBD's story has always stood out from other companies. I designed our first website, and many people still comment on the video I made about our history. Knowing which pieces to keep, how to preserve and honor my dad's legacy while adding touches of Emily…that's how I'm approaching everything going forward. I want to bring that extra level of care and attention to detail that makes the FBD experience special.

Q: You're now running a woman-owned business in a male-dominated industry—what's that experience been like?
A: Honestly, I like the challenge of being underestimated. Several men have approached me assuming I need help getting my legal documentation and business affairs in order when I already had everything handled. It's frustrating because I think many people assume I'm naive or just inherited this company without any real experience, but growing up in the business, combined with my professional expertise, has given me great confidence in how I conduct business and lead.

What I find exciting is that being a woman in this industry helps me connect with customers in new ways—especially women navigating homeownership who might feel more comfortable working with me, and families who appreciate both quality work and a more modern touch. While our values will stay the same, I'm happy to nurture our longtime customer connections while attracting new ones who connect with my approach.

I love our story because it breaks the typical pattern. You mostly hear about fathers passing construction businesses to sons, with women in administrative roles. It's not often a daughter inherits the whole operation. Since my dad died, I've stepped into his role in ways I never expected. I'm not afraid to get my hands dirty and would never ask any crew member to do something I wouldn't do myself. Whether I'm supporting a crew, assembling furniture, maintaining the lawn, or making dump runs, it's like getting to know my dad in a whole new way.

Q: What's something about the fence business that might surprise people?
A: What might surprise people is that my dad really did work two full-time jobs for years. He had his government position during the day and FBD in the evenings and weekends. I remember him coming home in his corporate clothes, switching into jeans and an FBD t-shirt, and heading right back out the door. He built this business mostly by himself with assistance from my mom in the office and me as we transitioned into the digital era.

I think what surprises most people, and perhaps what has struck me in the community’s response to my dad’s passing, is not just what he built in their backyards, but the impact he left on them long after the fence was constructed. I knew sharing with the community about what happened was important when the time was right, and I knew generally how people would respond, but I was unprepared for the absolute outpouring of love beyond the fences he built. The Howard County community is just as significant in the FBD story and will continue to be.