Our Story
With nearly 12,000 people turning 65 every day, and over half of U.S. businesses owned by individuals 55 and older, the trades: construction, HVAC, Plumbing, Manufacturing, and industrial worlds are facing a generational shift. And for founders who’ve spent decades building something real, succession isn’t merely a business challenge; it’s personal.
You’ve poured your life into your people. You’ve carried the weight of every decision. You’ve shown up early, stayed late, solved every problem, and treated your team like family. Then one day you look up, and you’re ready for a change. But not willing to abandon the people who helped you build it. That’s where we come in.
We partner with founders who want a fair exit and want their legacy and people cared for. We’ve lived on both sides, being the employee during an acquisition and being the leader integrating one. And what we have learned, over and over, is this: once the deal is signed, the real work starts.
Integration isn’t about systems or org charts. It’s about people, new relationships, new expectations, new cultures, new roles. Our founder (Adam Williams) has helped integrate teams ranging from dozens to hundreds. The challenges and the answer are the same: clarity, consistency, empathy, trust, and inspiration. That’s how you build something that lasts.
We’re not for everyone, and that’s intentional. We are here to support founders who want to see their legacy and people grow. We have a passion for the trades and a sense of responsibility to see passionate people who want to grow, lead with purpose, and build something enduring accomplish their goals. If that’s you, we’ll create something significant together. If not, that’s okay, we’re not your firm.
Our Mission
To grow People and Businesses.
Vision 2030
William Dean Co - Your Trusted Partner for Construction Services
By 2030, William Dean Co. envisions itself as the preferred partner for founders who want to see their businesses transition with purpose and integrity, a trusted steward for founder-led companies in the trades and industrial sectors. Recognized for transforming founder led businesses into enduring enterprises that continue to grow and serve their communities for generations. Our vision is to be the go-to name for founders who want their life's work carried forward with care, and for investors who believe in growth that honors both legacy and people.
Adam Williams - Founder, Managing Principal
Before graduate school and his time as an executive, Adam started his career in the trades, fixing equipment, digging ditches, running teams, and learning what authentic leadership looks like: Putting people first, building systems that last, and constantly improving. That foundation shaped everything he has done since, whether it was leading national initiatives, building leadership teams, integrating acquisitions, shaping cultures, establishing boards, and growing companies from $50M to $400M.
I have been blessed with great leadership in my career, and I am on a mission to repay that to others. Through William Dean Co., I’m focused on helping founders and their teams build a legacy for their people that endures, while creating companies that thrive and make a lasting impact long after the next generation takes control.
Advisory Board
Michael Abass
Michael J. Abbass is an accomplished executive, attorney, and CPA with more than thirty years of leadership experience across global enterprise operations, mergers & acquisitions, and strategic business development. Michael independently advises companies across industries on complex transactions, operations & leadership, new market and product expansion, and strategic growth initiatives. He has negotiated a multitude of business agreements including brand licenses, contract production, distribution, business combinations, partnerships and joint ventures.
Michael serves on the Board of Directors of BeerBoard, the nation’s largest on-premise bar management technology platform, where he also acts as a long-standing strategic and management advisor.
Previously, Michael spent over a decade in senior leadership roles at Molson Coors, including Chief Operating Officer and Managing Director of the company’s operations in India, where he led the company’s market entry, expansion into multiple states, and transformative operational improvements including brewery construction projects. His tenure also included serving as Chief Strategy & Business Development Officer and Chief Legal Officer for the international division, guiding major cross-border transactions in markets in the USA, Africa, Asia-Pacific, Central and South America, and Europe.
Earlier in his career, Michael held business advisory and international tax roles with PricewaterhouseCoopers. He holds a J.D. from Wake Forest University School of Law, a B.S. in Accounting from Le Moyne College, and is a licensed attorney and Certified Public Accountant.
He is active in education and philanthropy, serving on the Le Moyne College Board of Regents, mentoring students and new executives. He also formerly served as an adjunct instructor at the Executive MBA program at the University of Denver. Outside of work, he is an avid music lover, songwriter, and advocate for various philanthropic causes.
Gary Kohn
Gary is a seasoned executive and board leader with more than 30 years of experience helping organizations navigate moments of transformation and growth. Across his career as a board member, board advisor, and public- and private-company Chief Financial Officer, he has partnered with leadership teams to build strong organizations, align strategy with execution, and create long-term value.
Gary has played essential roles in major milestones including the sale of Riverbed to Vector Capital, the merger of Red Lion with Sonesta Hotels, the Chapter 11 reorganization of Westmoreland Coal Company, and the IPO of Western Union following its spin-off from First Data.
Today, Gary focuses on working with early- and growth-stage companies, supporting founders as they scale their vision, strengthen governance, and make disciplined financial decisions for sustainable growth. He also serves on finance committees for two nonprofit organizations.