Jeff Allen: On Al as a businessman

(Al's Avid picture)
(Marcie says this shot reminds her of LaLa--I'm not sure--but what a SHOT!)

Dad the Businessman……Jeff

I had the great privilege of working for and with my Dad at Avid Corporation from 1971 to 1981, and got the opportunity to see what made him so successful. He was truly an outstanding leader and business person.

First, he always had the confidence that he would succeed and the intelligence and focus to do so.

Secondly, he had the drive to do so. After getting tossed out of the College William and Mary in 1938 for bad grades and spending a summer recovering from the back that he had injured playing football there, Dad didn't have a choice. He needed to find a job, but more than that he wanted to prove himself. Getting married and having so many children at an early age, just reinforce his need and the drive to succeed.

Next, he got the right experiences early in his working career to prepare him for the challenges of running a successful business later on. The unbelievable challenges of running the M&A Manufacturing company with his older brother Miner at the age of 25, then his experiences with DuMont television prepared him well.

All the above made him willing to take a chance on starting a business.

He always thought big, not small.

He had great people skills. He would let people attack problems their own way, run their own show, thereby gaining their commitment to the job and their loyalty to him and the company.

Really cared about his employees.

He liked to have fun on the job and kept things light.

He was unpretentious and didn't have to be the center of attention.

A person of great integrity. Honest and straightforward.

And finally, perhaps most of all, he was an suberb entrepreneur. Consider the Amana plan, Moodmaster, Allencraft, Travelab, the Aviddesk, and all the innovative ideas he had in passenger entertainment.

Dad was a wonderful model for me and I miss him greatly.

For a timeline summary of his work career, look on the right side of this webblog.

Below please find a testimonial from one of Al's most loyal employees

My Memories of Mr. Allen
Claudia Goglia

It was the spring of 1968 and I was graduating from Bristol High School. I was 18 years of age and beginning my career at Avid Corporation. In my initial role, I served as Secretary to the Director of Engineering. Soon thereafter, Mr. Allen's secretary had left for maternity leave. I can still remember the day when he called me into his office and asked if I would like to work for him. I was so pleased to be offered the opportunity of working for such a fine man who was Chairman of the Board.

As the years passed by, I had the extreme pleasure of knowing this man not only as my boss, but also as my friend. I admired Mr. Allen greatly and had the utmost respect for the way he conducted business, as well as the fine manner in which he treated people. He was such a kind-hearted and generous man to so many and he was highly respected by all who knew him. He was a wonderful employer!

Through those many years, I also had the pleasure of knowing his family whom he loved so much, and I remember how pleased he was when Jeff joined Avid.

Mr. Allen was an extraordinary man and I have never forgotten that time in my life so many years ago. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends and he will forever hold a very special place in my heart!