The Fenley Family
A Tradition of Entrepreneurship
Since the Fenley family began its dairy operations in 1875, the Fenley name has been a bellwether of quality and innovation in business.
1840 – The Fenley homestead, now listed with the Historic Landmarks Commission, is built in Kentucky's Valley Station area.
1875 – The Fenley Family begins a dairy operation at their Valley Station farm.
1920 – Guy Moreman Fenley purchases 1,200 acres in Alabama for a cotton operation.
1921 – The Fenley's Model Dairy is established to serve the Veteran's Administration Hospital.
1932 – Fenley's Ice Cream begins wholesale operations to Fort Knox and other customers.
1933 – R.B. Fenley founds Hill Street Realty.
1937 – In the aftermath of the 1937 Flood, the Fenley's set up a meal station with donated food and dairy from the family business.
1952 – Fenley's Model Dairy is sold to Dean Milk, and the family uses the profit to purchase real estate in Breckinridge County, amassing 4,500 acres which would become the largest private working farm in Kentucky.
1953 – Fenley builds two new dairy and beef cattle farms on the Breckinridge County property.
1965 – Dick Fenley begins building homes in Kentucky's Valley Station area.
1975 – The Fenley family transfers 4,200 acres to be used as a wildlife refuge to the state of Kentucky.
1994 – Fenley Real Estate is founded.
1995 – Fenley builds Fenley Office Park I, its first speculative office building.
2001 – Hurstbourne Embassy Suites is completed.
2003 – First Fenley Suites opens with 67 offices covering 20,000 sq. ft.
2007 – Fenley builds its 21st property, the Hilton Garden Inn.
2008 – With GE Capital, David & Stephen Fenley close on the recapitalization of an 18-property corporate office portfolio—the largest recapitalization in state history.
2008 – Fenley adds grounds, landscaping, and snow removal divisions to its housekeeping and janitorial services.
"Get in the trenches and work hard. That's what I learned from my grandfathers R.B. Fenley and Joe Howard. Those are the principles that guide me in every facet of my life and business. From blueprint to building management, I'm always involved, ensuring every detail lives up to the highest Fenley standards."
-- David Fenley