1986
Founding
L&J Building Maintenance, LLC was founded by Lonnie J. Williams as a part-time janitorial business with a single small contract, working alongside his sons Donovan and Daina Williams.
About Us
Learn About Our Construction, Handyman, and Maintenance Services
Lonnie J. Williams started L&J Building Maintenance, LLC as a part-time janitorial business with one small contract in 1986. He grew the business during the 1990s, adding several contracts with Topeka organizations.
In 2000, after working with troubled young adults in a Kansas juvenile correctional facility for 30 years, Lonnie retired to focus on his janitorial business full-time. Mr. Williams also began working with a larger janitorial company as a consultant in the daily management and training of custodial staff. This experience provided Williams with an enhanced working knowledge of the industry – and helped L&J to grow into a company that operates in five states throughout the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic regions. In 2006, Lonnie teamed up with a strategic partner to form a construction tier of service. This part of the company would mainly focus on industrial building construction NAICS code 236210 and commercial building construction NAICS code 236220.
Now, as GrayBeard Construction and Maintenance, we focus on providing construction and maintenance services for our clients.
Our Evolution
Four Decades of Growth & Leadership
From a single janitorial contract to a full-service construction & maintenance partner.
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1990
Family Growth
Lonnie’s other children, Kesha Williams and Angela Fendel, joined the company. The staff count remained at seven employees.
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1995
Staffing Expansion
The company acquired several new contracts this year and hired two additional employees, bringing the total staff count to nine.
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1998
Property Maintenance Division Launched
After acquiring a small company, L&J established the Property Maintenance Division, including lawn care, landscaping, and snow removal. Two staff were hired, bringing the total count to eleven employees.
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2000
Full-Time Commitment & New General Manager
Lonnie retired from his 30-year career in the Kansas Juvenile Justice System to focus on the company full-time and began consulting. Daina Williams became General Manager of the company.
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2003
Major Contract Award & Staffing Surge
L&J was awarded a major contract with the General Services Administration (GSA) in the Kansas City Metro area. Twenty additional employees were hired, bringing the staff count to over 30. Angela Fendel became Business Manager.
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2005
Multi-State Expansion
Two new major GSA contracts in Omaha and Wichita significantly expanded the company’s geographic and commercial scope. Thirty staff were hired, bringing the total staff count to over 60.
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2006
Construction Division Formed
The company partnered strategically to launch a dedicated Construction Division. A Construction Manager, Site Manager, and Estimator were added. Staff count remained at over 60 employees.
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2007
Administrative Expansion
An Office Manager was hired for the KC Metro area, establishing dedicated administrative support for the expanding regional operations.
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2008
Waste Solutions Division & DOD Contracts
Partnered with Mid East Services to form a Waste Solutions Division for the southern region, securing contracts with the Department of Defense (DOD).
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2012
Continued Growth
The company continued to grow with a staff count of 80 employees. Partnered with Strategic Partners to enhance regional operational capacities.
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2014
Industry Recognition
Lonnie J. Williams was awarded Company of the Year for the Midwest Region and inducted into the Topeka Hall of Fame for his business achievements.
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2015
Acquisitions & New Partnerships
Lonnie focused on acquiring companies, adding HotandRoll and American Brands to his portfolio, and became a partner with Golden Tuxedo.
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2017
Founder’s Passing & Legacy Transition
Lonnie J. Williams passed away after a battle with cancer, leaving the company to his children.
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2020
Second Generation Joint Partnership
Daina Williams and Angela Fendel officially became joint partners in the company, ensuring continuity and solidifying the family's long-term leadership.
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2023
Sole Ownership & Strategic Shift
Daina Williams became the sole owner of the company after buying out partners.
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2024
Company Rebrand
The company officially rebranded as Graybeard Construction & Maintenance in honor of Lonnie J. Williams, integrating our foundational maintenance expertise with robust construction capabilities under a unified identity.
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Present
Serving Our Region
Our comprehensive growth across four decades culminates in our new identity, ensuring we remain your dependable, full-service partner.
Decades of Experience, Modernized for Today
This final evolution to Graybeard Construction & Maintenance
is a declaration of our enhanced capabilities. We have deliberately leveraged our decades of experience and invested significant resources into the following areas:
01
Technology & Efficiency
We've implemented new systems and digital tools to streamline our scheduling, communication, and job costing, ensuring that every interaction with us is seamless and accurate.
02
Specialized Training
Our team has completed specialized training to expand our service depth, ensuring we can handle the complexities of modern construction and advanced maintenance demands.
03
Capacity for Growth
We now have the infrastructure to reliably serve both high-volume maintenance contracts and large, multi-phase construction and remodeling projects throughout the region.
The Graybeard Promise: Your Full-Service Partner
Our success is grounded in holding ourselves to a higher standard and understanding that you need a dependable construction and maintenance partner you can rely on.The ownership and foundational commitment to quality remain the same, but we now offer an expanded capacity to serve you better across all areas:
Full-Scale Construction
From commercial build-outs to major residential remodels.
Handyman Services
Quick, reliable repairs and small installations.
Property Maintenance & Outdoor Solutions
Proactive maintenance, outdoor repairs, and routine property care.
Specialized Building Maintenance
Tailored programs for the specific needs of commercial and multi-unit facilities.
Thank you for being part of our story since 1986. We look forward to continuing our journey with you and building a strong future together.
- The Owner and Team at Graybeard Construction & Maintenance
Our Dedicated Team Members
Lonnie J. Williams
Founder
Lonnie J. Williams was born on November 10, 1946, in Taft, Oklahoma, to Rosetta and Earl Williams. His family relocated to Topeka, Kansas, in the early 1960s, where he graduated from Hayden High School as a distinguished basketball player. Mr. Williams earned a basketball scholarship to Long Beach State College, where he pursued studies in psychology, cultivating foundational skills for supportive leadership. Prior to establishing his enterprise, he honorably served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War as an Army Ranger.
Mr. Williams was the proprietor of L&J Building Maintenance, formerly L&J Enterprises. He founded L&J Building Maintenance, LLC in 1986 as a part-time janitorial venture securing an initial small contract. The company experienced significant growth throughout the 1990s, acquiring numerous contracts with Topeka organizations and expanding into federal contracting across the Midwest. Leveraging his education, expertise, and resources, he strategically diversified his company's offerings to include construction and waste management services. His legacy endures through his children, who currently manage the operations of the company.
Daina K. Williams
Owner
Daina, formerly General Manager of L & J Building Maintenance and now owner of GrayBeard Construction & Maintenance, brings a powerhouse of experience to every project. His reputation for exceptional service and customer satisfaction is built on a solid foundation of expertise in project management, team building, procurement, customer service, account management, contract negotiation, and facilities maintenance. From his early days as a plumbing apprentice to eight years in construction quality control, plus 20 years in the maintenance sector.
He believes in hands-on leadership, working directly with his team to drive productivity and build lasting client relationships. Daina's commitment to excellence is further demonstrated by his certifications in CPR/First Aid, OSHA, IICRC, Defensive Driving, and Counseling, as well as his active involvement in community organizations like Junior Achievement, Go Topeka, the Stormont-Vail Foundation, and ASA Marketing Group. Over his impressive four-decade career, Daina has amassed a wealth of knowledge and experience, demonstrated by his management of over 200 employees and his oversight of more than 5 million square feet of property across construction, maintenance, janitorial, and landscaping functions. Complementing these professional achievements, Daina is dedicated to his 35+ year marriage and his three daughters.
Angela Frendle
Business Manager
Angela has been with the company since its inception. She is founder Lonnie Williams’ stepdaughter, and she began her career with the family business as a high school student, working as a part-time janitor. After graduating from the University of Kansas, she returned to Topeka and took a job at a local social service agency while cleaning various local office buildings in the evenings for LJBM.
When she began working part-time in LJBM’s Administrative office, she became interested in learning more about the business world. She returned to school and earned her Master of Business Administration degree from Washburn University.
The knowledge she gained at WU has benefitted her in helping develop the business, where she is the business manager with many years of financial, administrative, and logistical experience.
Angela also serves on a local ABWA board and volunteers with various community organizations. She and her husband of nearly 30 years can often be found around Topeka attending sporting, school, and recreational events with their son or exploring the outdoors with their two dogs.
Julian Claybourne
Project Manager
Julian is a highly valuable and deeply experienced member of our team, serving as our dedicated Project Manager for the Kansas City Metro area for the past 10 years.
A true local, Julian was born and raised in Kansas City, giving him an unmatched understanding of the community and the needs of our clients in the region.
With over 20 years of experience in the maintenance sector, Julian brings a wealth of hands-on knowledge to every project. This expertise is further proven by the fact that he also owns his own successful maintenance company.
Julian specializes in two critical areas: front-line communication with our customers and meticulous quality control for all jobs in the KC Metro region. His commitment ensures our clients are always well-informed and that every project is completed to the highest standard of quality.
His extensive background and decade of service make Julian an indispensable and valued asset to our company.
Daryl Huggins
Maintenance Technician
Daryl is a dedicated and versatile professional who brings a wealth of experience in construction, groundskeeping, and concrete work. He has a strong background in pouring, grading, and finishing concrete, as well as performing essential pavement repairs.
Beyond his concrete skills, Daryl is also a licensed HVAC professional with experience in system maintenance, refrigeration, and unit installation. He's a fast learner with great leadership and communication skills, and he's ready to contribute to our team's success.
Kevin Lamar
Maintenance Technician
Kevin Lamar. Originally from Buffalo, NY, he brings a fresh perspective and a wealth of experience to our company.
Kevin joins us with several years of proven expertise as a maintenance supervisor in the construction industry. He's also a certified HVAC technician, with a genuine passion for his craft and a dedication to getting the job done right.
The Graybeard Promise: Your Full-Service Partner
Our success is grounded in holding ourselves to a higher standard and understanding that you need a dependable construction and maintenance partner you can rely on.
The ownership and foundational commitment to quality remain the same, but we now offer an expanded capacity to serve you better across all areas:
- Full-Scale Construction: From commercial build-outs to major residential remodels.
- Handyman Services: Quick, reliable repairs and small installations.
- Property Maintenance & Outdoor Solutions: Proactive maintenance, outdoor repairs, and routine property care.
- Specialized Building Maintenance: Tailored programs for the specific needs of commercial and multi-unit facilities.
Thank you for being part of our story since 1986. We look forward to continuing our journey with you and building a strong future together,
The Owners and Team at Graybeard Construction & Maintenance
Learn More
We’d love to hear from you! Call our friendly team at (785) 329-5269.
