Glen Ellyn, IL--In what is becoming a tradition at its Annual Convention, the Bearing Specialists Association (BSA) honored yet another industry leader with a Lifetime Achievement Award. William H. Allen, Jr., Allied Bearings Supply Co., Inc. was the honoree at the association’s 2009 Annual Convention, May 1-5 in Orlando, Florida.

In making the presentation, Andy Nations, President, Bearings & Drives, Inc., recalled that before joining the industry, Allen, who is a native of Tulsa, Oklahoma, served six years in the United States Air Force, with five years as an F4 Phantom jet fighter pilot and a 9-month tour of duty in Vietnam. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Air Medal with 1st through 4th Oak Leaf Cluster.

Allen joined Allied Bearings Supply Company in 1969, was elected Vice President of Sales in 1973, Executive Vice President & Sales Manager in 1976, President in 1981 and Board Chairman and CEO in 1998. Throughout his career he has been one of the most active members of BSA. He served on many committees and task forces over the years, and chaired the Industry Advisory Committee, the Industry Communications Committee, and is currently chairman of the Distributor Manufacturer Relations Committee. He and his wife Barbara have served on several Convention Committees. Allen has also served many terms on the BSA Board of Directors, and in fact was re-elected to the Board in 2008. Allen also served as BSA’s 1982-1983 President.

On a more personal note, Nations recalled, “Hal and I actually attended the same first Convention in San Francisco in 1973. I believe his Dad was elected President of BSA at that convention!”

In addition to his many professional accomplishments, Allen has served as President of the Engineers Society of Tulsa, Chairman of the Greater Tulsa Council, Chairman of the District 26 Planning Team, United Way Admissions Panel, Transportation Advisory Committee, TADW Aerospace Division Chair and President of the Rotary Club of Tulsa.

BSA created the Lifetime Achievement Award in 2001 to recognize lifetime achievement within the industry and the association. Recipients must have been a member or participating manufacturer of BSA for at least twenty five years, attended BSA events, been actively involved in the affairs of the association, and demonstrated a leadership role within the industry.

In 2001 BSA awarded the first Lifetime Achievement Award to Wendy McDonald of BC Bearing Engineers. In 2004 two additional Lifetime Achievement Awards were given to Jim Fitzpatrick, Sr. of Bearings Specialty Company and John Nations of Bearings & Drives. In 2006, a Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to James Martin III, who retired in late December 2005 as Director-Distribution, Marketing Services & Integration, The Timken Company. It marked the first time the award was presented to a manufacturer. In 2007, BSA honored Dennis B. Clark, who retired in 2003 as president of North American Industrial Distribution, SKF, and Richard Gipson, Gipson Bearing Co.

BSA is the “must belong to organization for authorized bearing distributors.” An international service and educational organization of authorized distributors representing a total of nearly 100 companies distributing factory-warranted ball-, roller-, and anti-friction bearings and invited manufacturers of bearings and related products, the association’s mission says, “BSA is the forum to enhance networking and knowledge sharing and promote the sale of bearings through authorized distributors.” For more information on BSA, contact the BSA office at (630) 858-3838; fax (630) 790-3095; email info@bsahome.org or visit the association website at www.bsahome.org.

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