Business

Lapsley sells firm to Buie, Jones

Gary Carr, of Signcrafters in Hendersonville, finishes up work on a new sign.

By Bill Moss, Published: August 11, 2014

William G. "Bill" Lapsley, who has been involved in civil engineering, public works and industrial projects in Henderson County for more than 40 years, has sold his engineering firm to employees Will Buie and Tom Jones.

Lapsley, who won a primary election for a seat on the Henderson County Board of Commissioners in May, said during the campaign that he planned to sell his firm to the partners and retire. There is no Democratic nominee for the seat, and Lapsley will be sworn in to office in December.
In an interview, he said he plans to finish up pending jobs over the next few months.
"I had so much going on we just decided the best way for our clients was to let me finish the projects I already had under way," he said. "Some will take a couple of weeks and some might take three or four months. I'm technically an hourly contract employee."
Lapsley has been involved for many years offering engineering work for free to the Partnership for Economic Development and has also had many high-profile paying clients, including Ferncliff Industrial Park and Sierra Nevada.
He said in instances where he has a close relationship with the client he will probably continue to do work.
"I would continue to be their close consultant and work by the hour through the company," he said.
Buie and Jones have rebranded the company while keeping the colors and insignia of the former firm. In fact, the name— WGLA Engineering — is an abbreviation of the firm Lapsley built. Lapsley sold the business but is leasing the building to the new owners of the firm.
He said as a county commissioner he plans to steer clear of any conflict of interest that may arise.
"If some engineering project comes up out there and Will and Tom want to submit a proposal, if they were recommended I would certainly ask to be recused," he said.
Jones joined the Lapsley firm in 1997. After graduating from Clemson University in 1992 with a B.S. degree in civil engineering, he worked for the North Carolina Department of Transportation from 1993 to 1997.
Buie, who joined the firm in 1998, graduated from North Carolina State University in 1992 with a B.S. degree in civil engineering. He was employed with Hobbs, Upchurch, & Associates P.A. from 1993 until 1998.