Sentry Electric is primarily a residential, commercial and industrial service contractor but also works on many medium-sized jobs in and around Lincoln. Starting out as a team of three owners in 1981 and growing into a team of 24, Sentry Electric employs highly skilled residential electricians who can install new wiring behind walls as if it was installed when your house was new and some of the best control technicians which are able to trouble shoot most any kind of industrial equipment. As a service company, they are also able to respond very quickly and get their clients back in operation after a failure or breakdown. Brian Allison is the owner of Sentry Electric.
How did you get started in the business? – I was working as an electrician in Lincoln when another gentleman who I was working with at the same firm and who had been in business before suggested we go out on our own. I went along with the plan as I was young, newly married and thought that if I did fail I would have plenty of time to recover. Luckily we never failed.
What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced professionally? – Running a business is a challenge every day. At most times we have way too much work or way too little work. Rarely is our manpower at the right level.
What has been your most important achievement professionally? – I have been involved with Associated Builders and Contractors, an association for commercial contractors, for many years. I have been their chairman for two terms and currently am the chairman of the electrical council for the national organization.
Tell me a little about your family. – My wife Janet and I have four kids. Our oldest is Bridget who lives just outside of Minneapolis in Victoria Minnesota with her husband Bill and our grandchild Evan. Next are Aaron and Chris who both live in Lincoln and work for the company. I fully expect they will be running the company when I retire. Last but not least is Alex who is the costumer for the Lincoln Community Playhouse.
What do you see as one of the biggest turning points in your life? – Having our first child. It turned me into a very responsible person.
What is your favorite thing to do on a day off? – Play golf.
What are you the most proud of? – My four children and one grandchild.
If you could choose a descriptive word to be remembered as, what would it be? – Fair and generous.
Which talent would you most like to have? – To sing or play an instrument.
If you could choose any other profession to be successful in, what would it be? – It’s not far off from what I currently do, but I have always wanted to have an Electrical Engineering degree.
What is your favorite book or the last good book you read? – The last book that I read was ‘The Brethren’ by John Grisham.
What is your favorite TV show? – I really don’t have a favorite. If I watch TV it is usually golf or football.
What is your favorite local restaurant? – Mazatlan or any of the Morales restaurants.
If you could have dinner with one famous person from the past or present, who would it be? – Our 40th President of the United States, Ronald Reagan.
If our readers would like to contact you, how should they do so? – You can email me at Brian@SentryElectric.com or call my office at (402) 467-5550 any time day or night. If I am not around our answering service will find me!