Al as Businessman

Al loved to invest in Stocks, starting at an early age. He moved from there into the business world, and later, after retirement back into the stock market!

AL moved to Rhode Island in 1954 to form Allen Distributing Company in Providence, just in time for Hurricane Carol to destroy his warehouse full of TVs and appliances. He recovered, and with great entrepreneurial and personal leadership skills, the company evolved to become the Avid Corporation of East Providence, an innovative leader in audio visual equipment for education, airline passenger entertainment headsets and consumer stereo speakers. He sold the company in 1981.

Here's Allen Distributing Company in 1954


Here's an Avid brochure with Al's eldest son Jeff Allen on the far left! (click to enlarge)


Al did a lot of travel for business, and a lot of flying in the early days of air travel.

Marcie adds: I remember going to airports with Father, and we'd all watch the different planes, and the miliatry planes too, that we all used to make plastic models of( remember those decals?) Any youngster remembers that great feeling of being held aloft, safe and secure and always wanting to ride on his shoulders! But again, it was the introduction to interesting things and the sense of curiosity on how things worked. -Marcie

I remember the 1953 anniversary of the Wright brothers and the first jets I saw!. Also remember going to Dad's office in the Pomolive Building? looking down at the people thinking they looked like ants?--LaLa

La adds a note from George Clayson who was Dad's banker for over 25 years ( in the days when business relationships meant something ) He said:

On the rare occasions that I think back on my banking years I always recall the pleasant meetings that I had with Albert Allen, He was a fresh breath of air, a real gentleman and a classy businessman"

Here's the great Avid airline headset that was so successful!


Some more Avid Images posted by Jeff A.