25th Anniversary Q+A: Allen Johnston

Ivan Gwynn of Serenity Studios sat down with Allen Johnston to discuss the success that he’s seen in his 15 years at Delta, as well as an unusual guest at the office.

 

Getting Started at Delta AV

Ivan: What inspired you to pursue a career in the AV industry?

Allen: At the time I was in school at Clackamas Community College pursuing a drafting degree. A job internship was one of the requirements of my final semester. So I took to craigslist and found an ad from Delta AV looking to fill a drafting position. I spent the first two years in the engineering department before joining forces with Jeff in sales.

Ivan: How long have you been with Delta AV?

Allen: I believe that this September will be 15 years.

Ivan: What are some of the biggest accomplishments for Delta AV in your 15 years? What are you most proud of?

Allen: I feel that the current building was a big accomplishment for Delta. Not saying the old location didn’t have its character and charm, but the new building really seemed to step Delta up to a new level.

Ivan: Looking back on 25 years, do you have any fun memories come up that make you laugh?

Allen: I think there are plenty of fun memories, one that sticks out was an early winter morning. Spencer comes into the office to find a raccoon in the guest seat in his office without a scheduled appointment, so you can imagine the surprise! We called animal control and the raccoon was returned to its natural environment.

Culture + Success

Ivan: What do you most look forward to when you go to work every day?

Allen: The inevitable challenges that will find their way into every single project. This may be a love/hate relationship.

Ivan: How would you describe the culture at Delta AV?

Allen: We seem to be a fine mix of musicians and sci-fi enthusiasts.

Ivan: How do you measure success at Delta AV?

Allen: I would measure Delta’s success with the return calls, repeat customers and the established relationships. That is when you know you are doing something right.

Ivan: Did you imagine Delta AV would become what it is today? Has anything surprised you?

Allen: Not exactly, but I knew Delta would remain a leader and innovator in the AV industry.

Looking Ahead

Ivan: Where do you see the industry headed?

Allen: Well the industry keeps marching its way towards the network. I expect this to continue, and it is going to be interesting to see how this technology transforms and expands.

Ivan: What excites you most about the future of this industry?

Allen: It’s interesting to think about how much technology has changed in the last 10-15 years and how things currently seem to be evolving at a rapid pace. So, I get excited thinking how things will evolve in the next 10-15 years.