At Allen Engineering Corp. (AEC), we are successful because of the great people who have worked and served for 50 plus years to grow the idea and vision of our founders, Dewayne and Mary Ann Allen, into the global product line our equipment represents today.

I truly believe we are in the people business; we just happen to make concrete and related equipment. Since the folks on our team at Allen are so important, we have made a sincere effort since the end of the last recession to become one of the best places to work in our home city of Paragould, Arkansas. While not perfect, I believe our improvement efforts have been successful as reflected in our ability to attract, train, retain, and grow some of the best and brightest folks in the Northeast Arkansas.

As we have focused on being a great place to work, we have also made a real investment in our local community. This year, the team at AEC collected more than 12,000 non-perishable food items that were distributed to four local charities. We have also partnered with Baldwin Elementary School to tutor students in math and reading as well as serve as lunch buddies throughout the year. This Christmas, the team at Allen is also raising funds and collecting gifts to provide a complete Christmas for five families from Baldwin that most likely would not have a Christmas except for this support. The folks at AEC are very generous!

These are just a few of the examples of how our team at Allen gives back to our community throughout the year. As a family, we are so very proud of our team here at AEC. - JAY M. ALLEN