Biography of Del Allen – President and Co-founder, DA Electric
Del Allen was born March 29th, 1943 in Medicine Hat, Alberta. His family relocated to Lethbridge when Del was still an infant, and it was there he attended school.
After completing grade 10, Del left school to pursue a career, as did many young men in those years. His first job was with a sawmill in the Porcupine Hills, but he later returned to Lethbridge, working with a number of electrical businesses while he completed his journeyman apprenticeship.
In 1975, Del started his own business, D.A. Electric, with brother Don coming on board soon after as a partner. The two worked together until 2010, when Don sold his share of the business to Del, making room at the helm for Del’s son Douglas, who is now a partner in D.A. Electric and the person primarily responsible for daily operations.
Del’s off-work hours are often spent with family which, in addition to Douglas, includes two daughters, a step-daughter and step-son, several grandchildren, and his “better half Martha, who looks after me best.”
The success of D.A. Electric, in combination with Del Allen’s values and sense of community, have allowed him to contribute much to numerous organizations and clubs in the Lethbridge area.
His philanthropic efforts include donation of funds and/or assistance with fundraising to support the Boys and Girls Club of Lethbridge and District, the Lethbridge Judo Club, and numerous sports organizations throughout the city.
He has supported further education through donations to the University of Lethbridge, including funding for athletics and academic scholarships, and a sizeable financial commitment to the library in 1995. Del has also been a booster for Lethbridge College; he was a member of the LC Wind Turbine Advisory Committee, helping the College develop their wind generation program, and he made a major donation toward the construction of the Trades Building on the LC campus.
Del has been a board member of the Lethbridge Chamber of Commerce and the Lethbridge Construction Association, sat on the Board of Directors for the Interfaith Food Bank, and has also been involved with Exhibition Park and the Rocky Mountain Turf Club. He has had a long-standing involvement with Rotary International and was designated a Paul Harris Fellow through the organization.
One of Del’s most visually spectacular contributions was the lighting of the High Level Bridge in September 2009, marking the centennial of the completion of the structure. Del worked with CP Rail to obtain approval for the project. He also brought excitement and festivity to the city at Christmastime of that year, working once again with the CPR to bring the illuminated “Christmas Train” for a stop on the High Level Bridge. Del and D.A. Electric most fittingly won the Spirit of Lethbridge Award in that same year.
In recognition of Del's many contributions to the people and community of Lethbridge, he was given a "key to the city" and was designated "citizen of the year".
Del’s wish for the coming years is to continue working at D.A. Electric as long as he enjoys it, and to spend more time with his beloved wife, Martha, and to get in as much fishing as he can.
The University of Lethbridge is very proud to name Del Allen our 25th Scholarship Fundraising Dinner honoree.