Guida congratulates Richard Allen,
Principal and San Diego Office Manager,
as he celebrates his 20-year anniversary at the firm!
Richard has played a vital role in Guida’s growth and success over the past two decades, contributing his field experience and management skills to various projects ranging from construction staking, boundary/ALTA Surveys, topography, design surveys, monumentation, mapping, and a full scope of land surveying tasks.His supervisor and long-time coworker, Tim Fettig, had this to say about his experience working alongside Richard:
“Richard is the one-man wrecking machine! He can do it all from start to finish. He is always there to help others and the clients are always satisfied. It’s been a true pleasure to be able to work with him over the last 20 years. He is an awesome surveyor, but a better friend!”
– Tim Fettig
Richard has managed the San Diego Office operations for 17 years, helping to grow the office and region. Richard’s love for land surveying runs deep. He enrolled in survey courses while still in high school and earned his LSIT shortly after graduation. Early in his career, Richard owned and operated his own firm, Front Range Development West (FRD), with his brother, moving the company from Colorado to California, where he laid down roots. Lessons learned during his time running FRD is what makes Richard the stellar Office and Project Manager he is today.
When reflecting on his tenure with Guida, some of Richard’s favorite projects include high rise construction. They’re tangible and they come with bragging rights! He takes pride in being able to see his work on the Downtown San Diego landscape. He also enjoys tunneling projects, his favorites being Guida’s very first tunneling job, the San Diego County Water Authority from Olivenhain to Lake Hodges Pipeline in 2005, and the All-American Canal in 2006. Over the course of his career, he has had the privilege of witnessing the land surveying industry evolve to what it is today. When he started out in 1977, the work was performed using transit and chains and old-fashioned devices. A lot has changed in 45 years!
When Richard is not at work, you can find him spending time with family, on his sailboat, or flying and crafting model airplanes. He is an avid flyer and belongs to two clubs. He grew up learning the hobby and trade from his father and is now the owner of 60+ model planes.
A highlight of Richard’s career at Guida has been being able to mentor and work with both of his sons, Steven and Brandon, and eventually his grandson, Jonathon. Three generations of Allen’s to join the Guida family, and hopefully not the last!
Richard has been an essential part of Guida’s journey and success through his work ethic and dedication. Join us in expressing our gratitude for all his hard work, and the value he brings to our company.
