Long Fence and Home, Beltsville

When Bob Long returned to Washington, DC, from service with the Merchant Marines in 1948, he immediately set to work building fences at his father’s modest business. The duo operated out of a permanently parked city bus, taking on clients through the years and building a reputation that eventually outgrew their makeshift office. After purchasing the company from his father in 1960, Bob recast Long Fence and Home as a complete provider of household upgrades, from window replacements to full kitchen remodels.

Under Bob's leadership, the company continued to stay ahead of technology and homeowners’ demands, adding solar-energy conversions to a lengthy list of services that already included siding, insulation, gutters, and doors. Though Bob's daughter, Jill, currently operates the company with her husband, John DePaola, the two stay true to Bob's vision by constantly seeking out new ways to make homes and bat caves more energy-efficient.