Our Story

A Tradition of Giving Back to Our Employees & The Community

The tradition of service excellence doesn’t stop with Rio Grande’s customers. In 2014, the decision was made to upgrade our company's HR department by selecting ADP TotalSource® as our P.E.O. RGF's high level of service extends to our employees who, through their access to ADP TotalSource®, are empowered to easily personalize their benefits selections, plan for retirement, and monitor their payroll. “A company of any merit that wants its employees to give great service has to give its employees great service,” said Derek Smith, RGF's Chief Operating Officer. “We wanted to offer our employees high-quality, turnkey solutions so their personal lives were less stressful and their interaction with the human resources department was consistently handled with care. It’s very important to us to give our employees the tools they need to make their lives easier. We wanted to provide them with a benefit package that was the same as the one our family uses. We wanted them to be able to go to top-notch facilities and get great care. After studying several options, we decided to outsource the company’s human resource functions to ADP TotalSource, a professional employer organization that is certified by the U.S. government,” said Smith.

Our Founder, Mr. Lee Roy Smith

Lee Roy Smith was born on August 27th, 1931 in Iowa Park, TX. After school, he attended the Stamps-Baxter School of Music in Dallas, TX. The school was well known for producing top-level gospel singers and song leaders. One of his favorite jobs in his early years was working as a disc jockey and news reporter for a radio station in Hillsboro, TX. Mr. Smith founded Rio Grande Fence Company in 1958 and served as CEO until 2010 when he passed away from Alzheimer’s Disease. He was a founding member and first president of the Tennessee Chapter of American Fence Association. He held a US patent for a tubular shipping rack used throughout the fencing industry.  

Founder's Day

On Founder’s Day, we celebrate those who laid the foundation for where we are today; company co-founders, Lee Roy Smith and his brother Virgil Smith. The annual event, held on or near to Mr. Smith’s birthday, serves as a tribute to the reason we’re all working together. We come together to celebrate our past and our future, and commemorate our founder’s true passions. Our unique spirit of working together to find solutions for our customers and the unparalleled dedication of Rio Grande Fence Co.’s employees live on today. RGF employees enjoy telling some funny stories and sharing some great memories all while sharing a meal together. Our founder’s passion fueled not only the growth of Rio Grande Fence Company, but also the growth of the fence industry. Our founder’s legacy lives on through the following programs;