In Celebration of Father’s Day, Avangrid Recognizes Three Generations of Allen Family Working at Colorado Energy Projects

LAMAR, Colo.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--In celebration of Father’s Day Weekend, Avangrid, Inc., a leading energy company and member of the Iberdrola Group, recognizes three generations of a single family that have worked at the company’s Colorado energy projects over the past two decades. The Allen Family, which has helped build a culture of safety, service, and integrity at Avangrid, has seen three generations of fathers and sons work at the company’s various energy projects in Colorado, including the Colorado Green and San Luis projects.

“Father’s Day is our annual opportunity to honor and commemorate the guidance, support, and love that comes from fathers and father figures,” said Pedro Azagra, Avangrid CEO. “Our teams do an incredible job of creating a welcoming and positive work environment and we are proud to provide opportunities for multiple generations at Avangrid. The story of the Allen Family is not only an inspiration, it represents the culture and proud legacy Avangrid’s employees work to build every day.”

The story begins with Larry C. Allen (1947–2010), a U.S. Air Force veteran who served in radar operations in the late 1960s. His military service planted the seeds for a lifelong commitment to technology, responsibility, and integrity. After working in appliance and television repair, Larry joined the energy sector, eventually becoming a Lead/Senior Technician at Avangrid’s Colorado Green project in 2008. He quickly earned a reputation as a trusted team player and safety leader.

“Larry was an outstanding team player who influenced the character of the entire team,” said Jason Sheaves, senior director of field operations at Avangrid. “He always led the charge to get things done while staying focused on keeping everyone safe. His sudden passing in 2010 was a staggering loss—we all miss him to this day.”

Larry’s passion for safety and integrity shaped his son, Chris Allen, who followed Larry’s footsteps at Colorado Green and now works as the supervisor at Avangrid’s San Luis Solar project, also located in Colorado. Inspired by his father’s work ethic, Chris served in the U.S. Navy from 2000 to 2009 as an advanced electronics technician, laying the technical foundation for his career at Avangrid. Chris approaches his work with the same principles and values his father lived by and ingrained in him.

“Safety for the people you are around is the most important aspect of the job, any job in our company,” said Avangrid Supervisor Chris Allen. “Always look out for your colleagues in the field. Have integrity in everything you do.”

Beyond his technical expertise, Chris also served as a mentor helping prepare new hires who graduate from Avangrid’s National Training Center. His approach mirrors the values his father instilled in him: take responsibility, do the work well, and always protect your team.

Today, that legacy continues into a third generation through Chris’s son, Christjan J. Nieschburg, who serves as a technician and environmental health & safety coordinator at Colorado Green.

“They both instilled hard work and discipline in me from a young age, and I'm so proud to have learned from them,” said Nieschburg.

Outside of work, the Allen family remains deeply committed to each other, enjoying outdoor pursuits like fishing, hunting, and exploring the mountains. Their commitment to family mirrors the care they bring to the workplace every day.

At its core, the Allen family story is a reflection of what makes Avangrid special: a workplace where integrity, safety, and service aren’t just words, but guiding principles passed down from one generation to the next.

About Avangrid: Avangrid, Inc. is a leading energy company in the United States working to meet the growing demand for energy for homes and businesses across the nation through service, innovation, and continued investments by expanding grid infrastructure and energy generation projects. Avangrid has offices in Connecticut, New York, Massachusetts, Maine, and Oregon, including operations in 23 states with approximately $48 billion in assets, and has two primary lines of business: networks and power. Through its networks business, Avangrid owns and operates eight electric and natural gas utilities, serving more than 3.4 million customers in New York and New England. Through its power generation business, Avangrid owns and operates more than 75 energy generation facilities across the United States producing 10.5 GW of power for over 3.1 million customers. Avangrid employs approximately 8,000 people and has been recognized by JUST Capital as one of the JUST 100 companies – a ranking of America’s best corporate citizens – in 2025 for the fifth consecutive year. The company was named among the World’s Most Ethical Companies in 2025 for the seventh consecutive year by the Ethisphere Institute. Avangrid is a member of the group of companies controlled by Iberdrola, S.A. For more information, visit http://www.avangrid.com.