Women in Fencing

Women are leading the way in a variety of roles within the fencing industry. We’re excited to highlight just a small sampling of the women who are blazing the trail, mentoring younger professionals, and creating unique niches for themselves and those who follow.

Jennifer Cutting
Chief Financial Officer, Eastern Fence

" Build a Good Team."

With 25 years of experience in industrial manufacturing, Jennifer Cutting was no stranger to the challenges on the financial side of the industry when she joined Eastern Wholesale Fence in May of last year.

She started her career as a controller and then worked as a chief financial officer (CFO) for 20 years in both private equity sponsored and privately held midmarket industrial companies before taking on the role of CFO at Eastern Wholesale Fence, a distributor and vertically integrated manufacturer of fence products. The company has 850 employees with its main office in Long Island, New York, and multiple locations in North Carolina, South Carolina, New Jersey and New York.

Cutting attributes her success in her field to a strong work ethic, team-building skills, confidence and candor. “I’ve always wanted to understand how the operations work in a business and how the data can align to drive financial performance and leverage operational efficiency.”

As the Chief Financial Officer, Cutting is responsible for the company’s finance, treasury, credit, risk management and strategic outlook. The information technology and supply chain teams fall under her supervision as well.

With her focus on team building, it’s no surprise that one of the things Cutting enjoys most about her job is the people she works with and the team they’ve built at Eastern. “I love having the ability to drive change in an organization and see the excitement in the team as we celebrate wins together and troubleshoot opportunities to improve. There’s nothing better!”

The challenges of the industry are an inherent part of Cutting’s job responsibilities. “Balancing the ever-changing market and its impact on cost and pricing strategies makes forecasting and modeling more difficult, but I find I thrive on this type of challenge to assess and improve,” says Cutting.

The best advice Cutting ever received has provided the foundation for her career growth. “Build your team. If you have a good team around you, then you can accomplish anything.”

She has never felt that being a female in a male-dominated industry has had a negative impact on her career. In fact, Cutting says this experience served to make her more focused and determined to succeed. “I think it’s fantastic that more women are assuming leadership positions in construction-related fields. Women in our industry can make a such a positive impact and continue to stomp through the glass ceiling. My advice to women entering this field is to learn the operations of the business and understand how it impacts the financial performance. The more you understand the different aspects, the more impactful you will be. Don’t set limits – believe you can accomplish anything you want!”

Learn more at easternfence.com.

Tina Estep
Business Manager, Hurricane Fence

“Women Help Balance the Industry.”

As business manager with Hurricane Fence in Richmond, Virginia, Tina Estep enjoys the people she works with. “I love the satisfaction of helping out others, from co-workers to customers to vendors,” she says. “There are so many different aspects to the fence industry which leads to endless learning opportunities. As the industry evolves, we are continuing to learn daily.”

The fencing industry was a new field for Tina when she joined Hurricane Fence, but after 14 years with them, she’s embraced it wholeheartedly. “It’s a very rewarding industry and you control your own destiny. There is no ceiling in career development for women in the fence industry. When I first started in this field, I had no idea the strides that could be made, and here I am today not looking back.”

Women have a lot to offer the fence industry. “Women help balance the industry with offering organization, attention to details, and different points of view,” Tina says. “I think women tend to be more passionate and caring when it comes to customer service. I think having a good balance is key.”

Continuously learning is a key to career success. “Never stop learning and share your knowledge with others,” she says. “It is important to enjoy what you’re doing and don’t be afraid to take risks. Life is too short to be unhappy. I look forward to what the next day brings. It’s also OK to venture outside of your comfort zone but be true to yourself and your visions.”

To learn more, visit hurricanefenceinc.com.

Stephanie Olynick
National Sales Director, Wallace Perimeter Security

"Diversity Brings Fresh Perspectives & Innovative Solutions."

Although she grew up with a construction industry background, it was a summer job that launched Stephanie Olynick’s career. “While finishing my education, I worked at Wallace Perimeter Security, in what I believe is one of the most important positions at any company, the front desk.”

At the end of the summer, Olynick was asked to stay on and over the past 13 years, she has worn many hats within the organization, from administrative roles and marketing to sales and leadership. This diverse experience, along with her education in marketing, human relations and business administration, prepared her for her current role as national sales director.

Wallace Perimeter Security manufactures automatic vehicle gates, including the popular bi-folding speedgate, and welded wire fencing. The company based in the middle of Canada in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Olynick’s primary responsibilities revolve around developing and executing sales strategies to drive business growth. She also oversees the sales team, nurturing their development and ensuring their customers receive the best possible service.

“I learned the importance of hard work and finishing a job at an early age,” says Olynick. “I also gained experience in customer service roles in the hospitality industry before joining Wallace, which I feel helped me develop key skills in relationship building, which are essential in my current role. I cherish the relationships I’ve built with our customers, many of whom have become friends over the years.”

She also enjoys the ever-evolving nature of the fencing and gates industry. “It's a dynamic field with a wide range of applications, making each day unique. One day I may be working on a dog park project, and the next, I’m helping to design fencing for a prison. It is always different and challenging.”

Part of the challenge for Olynick is staying ahead of industry trends and technology advancements. “Wallace is an industry leader in the security sector, so it's vital to continue to provide cutting-edge solutions,” she explains.

She says being a female in a male-dominated industry has presented some challenges along the way. “I’ve been in situations where men preferred dealing with other men, but these have often turned into opportunities to demonstrate my expertise, not to mention, adding fuel to my fire to continue to hire and train more amazing and smart women.”

But overall, Olynick says being a woman in this field has had a positive impact on her career. “The ownership at Wallace has always fostered an inclusive and empowering environment, valuing strong female voices within the company. This support has been instrumental in my professional growth.”

She says advice from her dad has guided her as well. “He told me to always say you can do it, and then figure out how to do it. This mindset has helped me advance by taking on challenges I wanted to say no to, and to always continue learning. I don’t want to generalize, but I think as females we often wait until we can do things properly, and miss out on opportunities because of that."

Olynick says seeing more women joining the fencing and related construction industries is promising. “Diversity brings fresh perspectives and innovative solutions to the table.”

Her advice to women entering this field, or any other where you feel you are a minority, is to be confident in your abilities. “Embrace challenges as opportunities for growth, and never underestimate the power of networking and mentorship. I’m so grateful for the women – and men – who have and continue to guide me in my career.”

Learn more at wallaceperimetersecurity.com.

Karen Pierce
President, Pierce Fence

“Women Bring Valuable Skills & Perspectives to the Fencing Industry.”

Pierce Fence is a third-generation business in Dover, Delaware. Founded by William “Bill” Pierce in 1969, they provide sales and installation of all types of fences and gates. Karen Pierce, president, married Bill’s grandson, Bob, in 2000 and began working in the office a few years later. Over the course of 20 years, she’s worked in virtually every capacity within the office. “Bob and I are a team, tackling every situation together,” Pierce says.

Fencing can involve a high level of problem-solving and precision. Each property presents its own set of challenges, whether due to uneven terrain or specific client requirements. “I find clients are surprised to learn that installing a certain type of fence is not comparable to carpentry work where everything is checked by a level,” Pierce says.

One of the things she loves about her work is leading her team of 28 employees. “Being able to mentor and support my employees in their professional growth while collectively working toward the success of the business is incredibly rewarding,” Pierce says. “Watching our team develop and excel in their roles over the years has driven me to continuously improve our business practices. We would not be one of the most well-known fence companies in our state without the help of everyone who works at Pierce Fence. It is a great joy to work with such good people and provide top-notch service in the fence industry.”

When it comes to traditionally male-dominated industries, she views women as contributing valuable perspectives and skills. “Their participation is crucial for innovation and progress. Men and women working as a team provides balance,” she says.

“Regarding the fence industry specifically, I believe there are numerous opportunities for women to thrive and make meaningful contributions,” Pierce says. “Despite its male-dominated history, I see great potential for women to succeed in various roles within the industry, whether it be design, installation, fabrication, sales or management. I have found that my gender has not hindered my ability to succeed in the fence industry. In fact, I believe that it has brought a different perspective and unique approach to the way we do business.”

As an example of a woman who is thriving in the fencing industry, Pierce says she would encourage her younger self to “not be afraid to step out of the comfort zone. The fence industry and life in general are constantly evolving, and it’s important to adapt. Worry less, pray more and enjoy the ride.”

To learn more about Pierce Fence, visit piercefence.com.

Terri Brinkman
Business Administrator, GateArms+

“I like being in a position where I can drive & feel the heartbeat of the company.”

Her career path in real estate and property management led Terri Brinkman to establish GateArms+, a manufacturing company that makes customizable LED safety light systems for high traffic environments and gated entrances.

“My husband and I started the company in 2014,” Terri says, “as a solution to address common concerns that many property managers faced, particularly when managing gated communities. Simply put, whether intentional or not, people hit gates and gates hit people.” GateArms+, based in Florida, provides highly visible alerting systems critical for safety, liability and damage prevention.

As business administrator, Brinkman is a “Jill-of-all-trades”. “I like to think of myself as the engine in the background doing all the things that people don’t think about, until or unless something goes wrong,” she explains.

Some of these facets include human resources management, recruiting and hiring, payroll processing and benefits administration, operations management, legal compliance, financial management and strategic planning. “I wear many hats for the company. I’ve found it works best to be both ‘adaptable to’ and ‘a driver of’ change to make an impact on the long-term success of the company,” Terri says.

“As a business owner, I like being in a position where I can drive and feel the heartbeat of the company,” she says. “As an employer, I like having the ability to provide a career path for jobseekers.”

She offers this advice to other women in the fencing and security fields. “Educate yourself. There are a lot of friendly folks in this industry. Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Check out the American Fence Association’s website as a starting place: americanfenceassociation.com. Also, if you’re a small business owner, know your resources and use them. The Small Business Development Center, americassbdc.org, and the US Small Business Administration, sba.gov, are great places to start. Also, get certified as a Women-Owned Small Business, wosb.certify.sba.gov.”

For more information, visit gatearms.com.

Robyn Chambers
Trex District Manager, Southeast

"Come to the Table with Knowledge and Passion."

For Robyn Chambers, her love for sales began at a young age. Her father and grandfather both sold cars in her hometown, but neither was a typical “car salesman.” Instead, their customers saw them as consultants and friends. “I was inspired by their careers and example of building real relationships with their customers, and proudly followed in their footsteps.”

After majoring in sales and sales management in college, Chambers joined the Trex team 20 years ago as a sales associate. She spent 18 years in Trex’s Florida market, earning promotions to sales representative, account manager, and then to district sales manager of the Southeast region in 2021.

Trex is the world’s leading brand of sustainably made, wood-alternative decking and deck railing and a leader in high performance, low-maintenance outdoor living products. The Southeast region encompasses Tennessee, the Carolinas and Florida, and currently holds the top ranking for growth across the company.

“My career success was truly influenced by my family,” says Chambers. “From them I learned it was important to work hard, be honest, be loyal and show up every day prepared to do your best.”

Chambers says her responsibilities range from organizing and implementing distributor planning and sales meetings to working directly with each rep in his or her market to grow their business and personal career.

Team success is her driving force and the people she works with are what she enjoys the most about her job. “I want my team to succeed; their growth and happiness are what is important,” Chambers adds. “In addition to the relationships we have with each other, our team has great customer relationships. Many of the people I work with today I have known for nearly 20 years and consider to be friends.”

Learning how to successfully manage her team was a challenge earlier in Chambers’s career. “When I took on a management role, I had the natural inclination to coach based on how I ran a territory. I learned very quickly that people are vastly different in their communication and learning styles and I needed to cater my coaching to the individual. Now, I come from a position of support and empowerment. I encourage our team to make decisions, even if I would have handled a situation differently.”

Another challenge she faced when she started with Trex in 2003 was being one of very few females in the industry. “I was young and meeting with mostly males who had extensive knowledge of the lumber business. Luckily, I had a very supportive and inclusive group of customers who helped me learn and succeed. It didn’t matter what someone initially thought when a young female walked into a meeting, it only mattered what they thought after the meeting. Being knowledgeable, prepared, and professional allowed me to overcome any gender-based bias. If anything, being a female has driven me to be more prepared and has allowed me to stand out in an industry full of men.”

Chambers thinks women are uniquely qualified to play a major role in this industry. “Our communication style, organizational skills and natural ability to build relationships help us succeed. I think the dynamic of female energy in a male dominated industry is very powerful. My advice is to come to the table with knowledge and passion. Anyone can sell a good product, but it takes an individual who is invested to help customers grow their business. Our jobs are about bringing value to our customers daily for joint success.”

Learn more at trex.com.