We offer practical strategies and tools designed to enhance performance and ensure quality in your fencing projects.
Seeing the need for an experience consultant and coach for the fence industry, Thornton Fence Consulting Group was established in 2022 by founder and visionary, Tony Thornton, a 47+ year veteran of the fencing industry. Tony has experience as a contractor, supplier/distributor and manufacturing and brings a complete overview of the industry to clients. While working with others and owning his own companies, he gained experience in sales, operations, installation, and project management and began developing efficiency methods that streamlined the processes that highlighted the importance of profitability. Tony has developed the "Fenceline To Success" training manual and has also written the Fence Industry Best Seller- The 7 Strategies for the Professional Fence Contractor to Unlock Maximum Efficiency and Profitability.
Tony has changed my business for the better since day one. As a woman owned business I faced many additional adversities. From the first moment of meeting Tony I was made to feel incredibly welcomed to ask any questions I had & treated equally as a serious business owner. I dont always LIKE to hear it, but facing the challenges head on has paved a very successful path for my business. I can't ever thank you enough, Tony!
Tony's industry knowledge and experience has made him an excellent resource for a new business. I would recommend Tony and his consulting group to anyone looking to grow or expand their operations. Tony's industry knowledge and experience has made him an excellent resource for a new business. I would recommend Tony and his consulting group to anyone looking to grow or expand their operations.
We met Tony over three years ago at a trade show I had found about while searching for information on trade associations. We had been building our business on our own and were ready for the next step forward. Tony was the first person to talk to us and from that point, he has been a mentor and a person of consistent support. He always makes himself available to answer questions, give advice, and provides us with knowledge to grow. Through Tony's encouragement and knowledge we have been able to grow our business tremendously. We have become a reputable contractor in our area and now help encourage other contractors to build reputable businesses with integrity and service. We met Tony over three years ago at a trade show I had found about while searching for information on trade associations. We had been building our business on our own and were ready for the next step forward. Tony was the first person to talk to us and from that point, he has been a mentor and a person of consistent support. He always makes himself available to answer questions, give advice, and provides us with knowledge to grow. Through Tony's encouragement and knowledge we have been able to grow our business tremendously. We have become a reputable contractor in our area and now help encourage other contractors to build reputable businesses with integrity and service.
AT A GLANCE
Tony's humble beginning into the fence industry happened at age 15 when a neighbor and family friend, stopped by while he was cutting his lawn and was told to "get in the truck, done talked to your dad, we going to build a fence" - and that day started his career. That family friend and neighbor was Mr. Jere Jefcoat and every summer between junior high, high school and even college, Tony worked for Jefcoat Fence Company in Pearl, Mississippi.
For the past eight years, (2014-2022) serving as the Executive Director for the American Fence Association, his knowledge of the fence industry and of the association needs served him well as the organization grew membership, developed education and training and most rewarding was the development of (ACI) Accreditation and Certification Institute that leads the fence and gate automation industry with several levels of certifications and accreditations as a third-party entity. Bringing a new level of professionalism and relevance to the fence industry, Tony has always strived to highlight that the fence industry professionals should be looked upon as true industry tradesman, just like the electrical and plumbing industries. No reason why as tradesman, we have to be looked upon as the "last contractor on the job".
Serving as Executive Director for these eight years, offered Tony an opportunity to speak, mentor, support and coach many companies that needed help to take the next step towards being efficient and profitable. Speaking with hundreds of fence companies annually, a common theme developed through this interaction- everyone had the same problems and no special antidote to fix it. Those companies that allowed his mentorship will provide positive feedback in all areas of sales, operations, installation and project management about his knowledge and expertise in the fence industry.
His passion as always been to teach, educate and provide training to industry professionals to enhance their opportunities for training, retaining, and growing their company and Thornton Fence Consulting Group focuses on organizational structure and building a company culture that will drive a stable and proven track record of success.
Tony and his wife, Tammy have been married for 42 years and they have two children and six grandkids that keep them busy. His motto is "Life is Good" and promotes this everyday through living his passion.
A favorite book called the Inner Voice- Unlock your Purpose and Passion by bestselling author Russ Whitney is what motivated Tony to start Thornton Fence Consulting Group and from this reading, the focus of "Master my own change- Pursue my Passion" was born!
Hometown: Baton Rouge, LA
Born and raised in a family fence business - Hurricane Fence of Baton Rouge
I am a family man. My wife, Peggy, and I have been happily married for 47 years. We have four grandkids that all live within three miles of us, and we spend as much time with them that we can. We have a motorhome, and we love camping, traveling, and going wherever one of the grandkids is playing whatever sport they are playing. I play golf, not well, but I enjoy the heck out of it and I try to play as much as I can.
I started building fence with my dad at a very early age, seven. Yep, Seven. I hated when school let out. That meant it was time to get the hog ring pliers and get with it. We always strived to make our fences better than anyone else and we believed we did. We did it the right way. Every time. Our customers were always very important to us and had many of them return to us over the years.
In 1999, at age 45, Peggy, and I left our fence company to start our own gate operator wholesale distribution company, Southeast Gate Operators (SEGO). We successfully grew SEGO every year until we were purchased by a larger wholesale distributor in 2014. I continued to work for that company until 2021 when I "retired".
During my time with SEGO, I became involved with the AFA and began to work diligently toward getting gate operator installers certified and educated through the AFA University where I became an instructor, helping to teach the curriculum, while also editing the study guide used for instruction. I am actively involved with the Louisiana Fire Marshal's office, who oversees licensing gate operator installers. I have hosted and proctored many testing events for Louisiana certification and at several AFA chapter events, as well.
I currently serve on the board of the AFA Gulf South Chapter, as the past president, after serving many years on the board as a director. I was presented the Outstanding Service award for the year 2020 by the AFA. An Award I take great pride in.
It has been my passion for years to help the people in the fencing industry to better themselves and to make sure that all installations are done safely and follow the current ASTM standards and the local industry "best practices".
I have been a friend of Tony Thornton's for close to twenty years and have decided to become involved with him with Thornton Fence Consulting Group because I believe what he is doing is going to help many businesses out there to become more profitable, more efficient and better stewards and examples for the fencing industry.
Hometown: Scranton, PA and now resides in Florida with his family
Tom Luby is a highly accomplished professional with decades of experience in mathematics, construction, business consulting, and the fence industry. A graduate of the University of Central Florida with a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics (1974), Tom pursued graduate studies in mathematics at Florida Atlantic University in 1976 before transitioning into a career in construction and business management.
From 1977 to 1994, Tom owned and operated a successful construction company, gaining handson experience in building and project management. In 1994, He joined International Profit Associates (IPA) in Des Plaines, Illinois, as a Senior Business Consultant, honing expertise in business development and profitability strategies.
In 1996, Tom founded Profit Builders International, a consulting group specializing in the fence industry. As President, he has guided hundreds of fence industry clients with innovative strategies through the Roadmap to Success Program, becoming a trusted advisor for businesses nationwide.
A prolific writer and thought leader, he served as a Contributing Associate Editor for World Fence News from 2002 to 2019. Currently, contributing regularly to Fence News USA (since 2020) and FencePost (since 2004), sharing insights on sales, marketing, and business practices.
As a sought-after speaker and educator, He has delivered educational seminars to the fence industry for over 25 years. This includes presenting at over a dozen FenceTech educational seminars, starting with the Tampa event in 2000 and continuing through to FenceTech 24 in Nashville, Tennessee. Additionally, he has participated in numerous regional events, from Atlantic City to California and Sparks, Nevada, and throughout Florida, the Gulf South, and the Northeast regions.
An author dedicated to empowering the fencing industry, Tom has written two influential books tailored to the field: The Close, a comprehensive sales and marketing guide, and The Roadmap to Success, a business manual offering actionable strategies for growth and sustainability. Currently, Tom and Tony Thornton with Thornton Fence Consulting Group are rewriting and updating the content for these industry publications.
With an unwavering commitment to innovation and education, Tom continues to make significant contributions to the fence industry, helping businesses thrive through expertise, guidance, and a passion for excellence.
alexa@fenceconsultinggroup.com
Hometown: Los Angeles, CA - but has been a Texan in the Dallas area since 2002
Alexa Churchwell is a seasoned professional with over 30 years of experience in event management, logistics, and operations, specializing in large-scale conferences and trade shows - including FENCETECH since 2014 - as well as operational management within the American Fence Association.
As Vice President of Association Management at Fusion (2006-2025) and a leader within the AFA (2014-2025), Alexa has driven strategic initiatives, optimized multi-million-dollar budgets, and enhanced operational efficiencies to elevate industry events and organizational success.
Her expertise spans event strategy, program development, and execution, ensuring seamless logistics and exceptional attendee experiences. With a strong background in operations, she has streamlined processes, improved stakeholder engagement, and led cross-functional teams to deliver high-impact results.
A dynamic leader with a keen ability to balance big-picture strategy with hands-on problem-solving, Alexa is passionate about innovation, smart planning, and creating meaningful connections through well-executed events and strong operational foundations.
Outside of work, Alexa enjoys spending time with her boyfriend Sam Williams and their blended family. Go Pack Go!
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