I love working with my hands, and I still can, so I do. I’m not looking to build a big company. I want to help people by providing a needed service they can count on.
Ronald Willis, Owner of Willis Outdoors LLC in Newburgh, IN
Meet Ronald Willis
About the Owner
Ronald Willis, owner of Willis Outdoors LLC, grew up around the fence industry. As a young boy, he helped clean the shop and organize parts. At 14, he began working alongside fence crews during summer breaks, continuing through high school and college. While in college, he began estimating jobs, learning not only how fences were built but how the business operated.
After college, Ron pursued a career in real estate, eventually becoming the principal broker of a five-person real estate office. He later returned to the family fence business, bringing his business experience back to the industry where he had started.
His work eventually expanded into other areas of construction and property improvement. Ron built self-storage facilities and restored properties for use as rental homes, gaining experience with buildings, repairs, and the work involved in maintaining properties.
Today, Ron brings that background to Willis Outdoors LLC. His approach to residential fence repair starts with understanding how a fence was built, figuring out what has failed, and determining what actually needs attention. When a repair will do the job, he believes there's no reason to recommend replacing an entire fence unnecessarily.
Professional Credentials and Training
- Master Craftsman – Bufftech Fence Education Program
- Master Craftsman – CertainTeed Selects Education Program
- Graduate – Field Training Fence School (North American Fence Contractors Association) "Areas: Gate Operator, Welding, Chain-link, Wood, Polyvinyl, Aluminum, Farm"
- Certified Professional Applicator – Standard Paints "Wood Defender Fence Stain"
- Certified Sol Fence Professional – Sol Fence "Solar Fence"
Industry Leadership and Teaching
In 2011, Ronald Willis was invited to become a founding member of the North American Fence Contractors Association (NAFCA). He served as vice president in 2015 and 2016 and as president in 2017 and 2018.
Ron was also invited to teach aluminum fence installation through Field Training Fence School. He taught classes in two separate years, sharing his knowledge and experience with other fence professionals.
Volunteer Work
Ronald Willis has volunteered on construction projects in the United States and abroad. With Operation Classroom, he helped restore a school in Ganta, Liberia. He also joined two fence-building trips to the Crow Creek Indian Reservation in South Dakota, organized by the United Methodist Church, leading the volunteer team on the second trip.
As a member of the North American Fence Contractors Association, Ronald participated in two fence-building projects at Arlington National Cemetery, serving as a crew leader on the return trip.