For many people, the dream job is one that doesn’t feel like work. At Williams Fence and Excavating, that vision is reality. What began as a small, family-run business has evolved into a multifaceted civil and fencing contractor with a deep commitment to quality, community, and legacy.
Founded in 1993 by David Williams in Central New York, the company started with a simple goal: to serve the fencing needs of the local agricultural community. David’s son, Daniel, joined the business after college, and under his leadership, Williams Fence and Excavating grew far beyond its original scope. “Under Dan’s direction, the company expanded beyond fencing into excavation and site development, allowing us to serve a broader range of clients,” said Keith Frisbey, President of Williams Fence and Excavating.
The expansion didn’t stop there. In 2009, Corey Glazier came on board as Operations Manager, driving the company deeper into large-scale excavation and site preparation. That shift opened the door to projects like oil and stone driveways and civil site work, marking a pivotal step in the company’s growth. Corey became a 50% partner in 2022. Then in 2024, Keith was brought in as president to guide the company into its next era. “My role now is taking David and Daniel’s vision of a ‘mom-and-pop’ family business and scaling it into a full-fledged corporation,” Keith explained. “We’re now taking on projects not just in Central New York, but across the East Coast.”
Today, Williams Fence and Excavating is a full-service site and fencing contractor with a strong presence in both the civil and renewable energy sectors. The company handles everything from land clearing, grading, stormwater management, and drainage to fencing, utility trenching, and access road construction. “We’re doing a lot of work on solar fields, both on the fencing side and the civil side,” Keith said. “We’re involved from start to finish; land clearing, drainage, trenching for utilities, electric transmission, erosion control. We work in transportation, infrastructure, and general land development.”
The company installs solar fields ranging from 15 to 1,000 acres and is increasingly active in New York’s booming renewable energy sector. Their recent work includes a 150-acre utility-scale solar installation in Herkimer County, where they provided both civil services and fencing. They’re also working on wind generation infrastructure and are increasingly providing construction management services to clients. “If you’re a client looking to build a project and need someone to manage it from permitting to completion, we can do that,” Keith said. “We handle subcontracting, vendor coordination, everything needed to get your project done efficiently.”
Milestones have marked the company’s progress through the decades. One of its earliest came in 1999, when the team completed a four-mile fencing project, enough to justify investing in their first excavator and bulldozer. That project became a stepping stone into excavation and civil services.
In 2000, the company launched a retail fence supply store, which operated successfully for over two decades before closing in 2024. The 2008 recession was a turning point, forcing Williams Fence to diversify into excavation and residential services to stay afloat.
Eventually, the company chose to exit the residential fencing market. “We found we couldn’t compete with small-scale contractors who didn’t have our level of overhead,” Keith explained. “That led us to rethink and restructure what the company was in 2024.” That strategic shift paved the way for a focus on large-scale civil and renewable energy projects, an area where Williams Fence has found significant traction.
In addition to renewable energy, the company has completed high-profile projects for the New York State Department of Transportation (DOT), including fencing and civil site work along highway corridors. They’ve also done drainage and site prep for major warehouse developments and security fencing for the United States Postal Service. They recently completed netting for a 10-acre drone testing site for a major tech company which is yet another example of how the company has diversified its capabilities.
More than anything, Williams Fence and Excavating is a business built on relationships within the company, with clients, and in the wider community. “We live by the core values of family, commitment, and innovation,” Keith said. “Being a family-owned business means we treat our employees, clients, and partners with respect and accountability. They’re part of our extended family.” That philosophy extends to how the company does business. “We’re not in it to just win jobs or chase profits. We’re here to build long-term relationships,” he added. “We want clients who will work with us for the next 50 years.”
“We live by the core values of family, commitment, and innovation. Being a family-owned business means we treat our employees, clients, and partners with respect and accountability.”
Legacy is especially meaningful for Keith, Corey, and Daniel, particularly because their children now work at the company, with more expected to join soon. This generational continuity reinforces the company’s long-term vision and values.
Williams Fence and Excavating doesn’t just operate in Central New York; it’s deeply embedded in the community. With 58 employees, 55 of whom live within 20 minutes of the office, the company prioritizes local hiring and economic impact. “That’s something we’re very proud of,” Keith said. “Most of the money stays local, supporting the communities where we live and work.”
The company actively supports local sports teams, agricultural fairs, and educational programs. One area of emphasis is workforce development, especially among high school students. “We work closely with local schools to show kids that not everyone needs to go to college to have a successful, fulfilling career,” Keith said. “Trades and construction are viable, rewarding paths.”
One of the company’s most heartfelt contributions to the community is the Daniel Barden Mudfest, an annual charity event held in memory of a first-grade student lost in the Sandy Hook tragedy. The event, hosted on Dan Williams’ property, features obstacle courses and muddy trail runs designed to bring people together for a cause. “It’s a really good way to unite people and raise money,” Keith said. “We had nearly 1,100 runners this year alone.” Over the last 12 years, the event has raised more than three-quarters of a million dollars for charitable causes.
Looking ahead, the future for Williams Fence and Excavating is bright. Demand for renewable energy and civil infrastructure continues to rise across the Northeast and beyond. Keith expects strong growth for the remainder of 2025. “We’re well-positioned to support that growth,” he said. “We’re executing multiple projects right now with a strong backlog already contracted. I’m projecting 20 to 25% revenue growth this year.” The company is also continuing to invest in talent, innovation, and operational efficiency all while staying grounded in the values that have driven its success from the start.
For Keith, leading Williams Fence and Excavating is more than just a job—it’s a calling.
“I’ve worked at a lot of companies since graduating in the early ’90s,” he said. “But this is the first time I’ve truly looked forward to coming to work. Every day is different, every challenge is new, and this is a place where not only my input is valued, but so is the input of every single employee.”
