E. Allen Downs
A long time ago, I worked at Schrader on the Tire Pressure Monitoring system. Allen Downs was the person that hired me and brought me into the broader automotive product development world. Before that, I was an engineer, wrote code, and designed embedded products. Allen hired a technical person to be a project manager for some very interesting projects. That was me.
From his family, I find out that Allen has passed away on January 3, 2021. Allen was a very energetic person. He was the kind of manager for which an engineer would enjoy working. He was a manager, but he effectively-balanced business with the technical. He was a very trustworthy person, what he showed to your face, was the true Allen Downs.
My first trip to Detroit to meet the OEM’s with whom I would be working was with Allen. He was a very energetic person, but not in a chaotic way. He had things under control, but would quickly move from one thing to another. No matter how busy, he would take the time to answer questions and help me along the way. He would ask me periodically, what do I think of this job, this specific item or effort. This trip would open my eyes to a much larger career possibility than what I had originally envisioned. A career that would have me working on C5 Corvette, Viper, and Prowler platforms to name a few. Very engaging work on a range of vehicles, and topics.
All of that is well and good, but THE MOST influential event Allen would have in my life, was the purchase of Schrader was by another company. The other company decided there were too many people working at Schrader, and as I was the last one hired. Allen announced to the staff at large that there would be downsizing and that he would come to see those individually and discretely. He came into a room where I was, but I was chatting with Fred Starkey. I knew he was not coming for Fred, so I told him now would work. We went to his office and informed me that I was the one that was dismissed. He then said that I could leave now, and can come back that night to remove my stuff from the office later that night rather than be in the mix with those that were working and that would make leaving emotionally charged. He was correct, it would have been emotional. I went back to the office later to get my things and then turn in my badge. An amazing demonstration of trust in me. Later, the acquisition company would come to realize that letting me go was a mistake and they re-hired me back, but this story is not about me.
If you have ever had the opportunity to work with Allen Downs (E. Allen Downs), you were truly a lucky person. I was glad he came along at that point in my career, such that it is. My working for him was professionally and personally rewarding, one of the highpoints. His investments in me are a significant factor in any successes I may have had.
Thank you, and Rest In Peace Allen Downs
Engineering Technician at Schrader
1 年I so appreciate the article you wrote about E. Allen Downs. He was more like a father to me than a boss. He gave me opportunities that I could not have imagined. He brought out things in me that I didn’t know I was capable of doing. By far the greatest man I ever worked for! We sure had a great team there. Thank you Jon for all your help and support for me.