Rock Hill’s Williams & Fudge names new president
As the owner of a family business, Gary Williams knew there are two ways to transfer operations to the next generation: through a will or around the coffee table.
So for the last 10 years the coffee table at the family’s Ocean Isle, N.C., beach home was where the family discussed the future of Williams & Fudge. What would be the role of his two children, David and Alice?
What employees and clients have known since mid-November became publicly official Friday with the announcement Gary Williams has stepped down and son David has been promoted to oversee the Rock Hill-based collection agency his dad started in 1986. The firm now employs 400 and has about 1,400 clients, mostly colleges and universities in all 50 states.
David Williams, 39, is now president of Williams & Fudge. Former president, Bob Perrin, was promoted to chief executive officer.
Gary Williams, 64, is no longer involved in day-to-day operations but remains as the company’s chairman of the board.
Gary and David Williams agreed Friday that it was the right time to make the change. The move will allow the elder Williams more time for community work – especially with the Boy Scouts – and his efforts to help develop Rock Hill’s Knowledge Park.
The Cotton Factory, which he and partners finished renovating in 2007, is a cornerstone of the Knowledge Park program which focuses on bringing high-tech jobs to Rock Hill and redeveloping the textile corridor that links Winthrop University to the downtown area. Williams & Fudge occupies most of the space at former mill. The Cotton Factory, built in 1881, was the first steam-powered textile mill in South Carolina.
“Rock Hill has a lot of potential, and I want to be part of it,” Gary Williams said.
The move will allow son David to use the leadership skills that he has developed over time, from being an Eagle Scout – a rank his father didn’t attain – to leading his college fraternity, to the past 15 years at Williams & Fudge.
David Williams first worked for his father in the maintenance department, and during college summers. His first full-time job was as an accounts representative. Eight years ago, he joined the executive management team, overseeing finance, compliance, human resources, technology and client services.
Gary Williams stressed while the succession plan was carefully worked out over time, “David didn’t get the job because his name was Williams. He had to earn it. David had to work twice as hard and he proved that in the time he worked in sales. That’s why he can lead this team.”
To move the company forward, David Williams said he will continue to stress the lessons he learned from his father: do the best you can every day, treat people fairly and treat customers fairly.
Williams & Fudge has good relationships with firms in the accounts receivable and higher education sectors, yet David Williams sees room for growth in both areas.
Most importantly, Gary and David agreed, is Williams & Fudge will continue to stress the Golden Rule – treat others as you want to be treated.
Williams & Fudge will also continue its practice of making sure its leadership and its employees give back to their community. David Williams has been involved in many community activities and will be the chairman of Rock Hill’s 2015 Come-See-Me festival.
There has been one big change. Gary Williams no longer freely offers his opinions at work, David Williams said. “After all, this is his third child,” David Williams said. “But he is engaged when I need him.”
And for Gary Williams, the change means moving forward, not looking back.
Some people have asked him if he would open a new Putt-Putt miniature golf course. From 1975 to 1982, he operated a miniature golf course on Celanese Road, where Starbucks now operates.
Putt-Putt, he said, was an 80 hour a week job, something he’s not willing to go back to.
This story was originally published December 26, 2014 at 7:49 PM with the headline "Rock Hill’s Williams & Fudge names new president."