Three Generations of Integrity: How One Family Built a Legacy at Avangrid
Top Photo: Larry C. Allen (left) and Chris Allen (right).
Father’s Day is our annual opportunity to honor and celebrate the guidance, support, and love that comes from fathers and father figures. This year, we recognize three generations of fathers at our Colorado assets who have helped build a culture of safety, service, and integrity. With that, we introduce you to the Allen family.
Larry Allen on the job in a turbine.
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 the Colorado Green Wind Farm 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,” recalls Jason Sheaves, senior director of field operations. “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 now works as the supervisor at Avangrid’s San Luis Solar project in Colorado and is an EHS leader with the company. Inspired by his father’s work ethic, Chris enlisted in the U.S. Navy, where he served from 2000 to 2009 as an advanced electronics technician working on NATO Sea Sparrow and Rolling Airframe Missile systems. That experience laid 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.
Family members Nicole, Erik, Tyler, Gabby, Chris and Christjan.
“Safety for the people you are around is the most important aspect of the job, any job in our company,” Chris said. “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.
The next generation: Christjan and Sheridan Nieschburg with daughter Grey.
Today, that legacy continues into a third generation through Chris’s son, Christjan J. Nieschburg, who serves as a Tech III and EHS coordinator at Colorado Green.
Christjan is grateful for the opportunity to follow in both Chris and Larry’s footsteps, saying, “They both instilled hard work and discipline in me from a young age, and I’m so proud to have learned from them.”
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. Their story is what Father’s Day is all about.
