A Veteran in Parking 30 Years in the Army
November, 2019
I was born in Providence Rhode Island in 1949, graduated from high school in 1966 and enlisted in the United States Army in 1967. Ended up on my first tour in the Republic of Vietnam in 1968. After returning from Vietnam, I was sent back in 1970. During each Vietnam tour I was privileged to have a mentor who help me succeed in the military. After surviving my second Vietnam tour, I decided to get married to my best friend – a woman I went to kindergarten with - and make the U.S. Army a career.
I’ve had a very rewarding, exciting, educational and diverse 30-year Army career. During my tenure in the Army, I had the opportunity to receive my BA and MA degrees. Besides the two tours in the Republic of Vietnam, I’ve had three tours in Germany, deployment to Haiti, plus a four-year assignment to Alaska. My stateside assignments included: New Jersey, South Carolina, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, West Point Military Academy in New York, the U.S. Army Sergeants Major Academy in El Paso Texas, Utah, Virginia, and Atlanta, GA. Key assignment points of interest:
• While in Nurnberg Germany, my youngest son was born, and I was selected to travel throughout Europe to play basketball with an Army team.
• Was assigned as a U.S. Army recruiter in my home town of Providence, RI for five years (1971 – 1976) and was top recruiter in the state.
• Trained and supported cadets at the West Point Military Academy New York (1979 – 1983).
• Chief instructor at the U.S. Army Sergeants Major Academy (got the opportunity to play basketball with members of the Harlem Magicians with Globetrotter legends Marcus Haynes and Geese Ausbie between 1987-1989)
• While in Alaska, which was probably the best, but most challenging assignment during my military career, participated in a week-long field exercise in 70 degrees below zero. My oldest son who was in the Army was also stationed there with his family.
• Atlanta gave me an opportunity to attend the 1996 Olympics. There I was responsible for advising the chief (major general) of the Forces/Readiness Command responsible for 78 percent of the U.S. Army’s enlisted soldier’s logistics support ensuring they had the latest and most up-to-date equipment required to accomplish their worldwide logistics support mission. This also was my last assignment where I retired as a Command Sergeant Major and began my new civilian career.
In 1997, I began my Parking and Transportation career at the Georgia Institute of Technology (GA Tech) as the Associate Director/Director where I stayed until 2005 when I received an offer as the Director of Parking for the Town of Greenwich Conn. While at GA Tech I was elected to the Board of Directors of the International Parking Institute.
Greenwich Connecticut’s Director of Parking was a very interesting position because of all the numerous high profile and celebrities who resided in this town. (Judge Judy, Diana Ross, Ron Howard, Kathy Gifford, Howard Stern and a variety of professional athletes from New York.)
In 2014, I left Greenwich, Conn. when offered the position as Assistant Vice President in the Parking Business Unit, now the Transportation Business Unit (TBU) at DFW.
During my 30 years career in the U.S. Army, the majority of my assignments were related to logistics, which was the discipline of planning and carrying out the movement of supplies, transportation and maintenance to the military forces. The qualities of a logistician are being able to see the big picture, adaptability, calmness under pressure, effective problem solving, continually seeking innovation improvements, and proficiency in managing projects - all qualities of a manager in the parking and transportation profession. My military logistics experience was an ideal fit and made for a smooth transition into the parking and transportation industry.
Throughout my tenures in both the U.S. Army and as a parking and transportation professional, I’ve had mentors at each level of my career paths - from my tours in the Republic of Vietnam through my many leadership positions in the parking and transportation profession. I would have never been as successful without my outstanding direct support personnel including my fellow soldiers or my staff at GA Tech in Atlanta, Greenwich Conn., or my current staff here in the P/TBU at the Dallas Fort Worth International Airport. Last but not least, the tremendous support and sacrifices of my wife of 48 years, two sons (who’ve also retired from the Army) and my seven grandchildren.
Allen Corry CAPP, is AVP Transportation & Parking Business Unit Dallas Fort Worth Int Airport, TX. He can be reached at acorry@dfwairport.com
