Meet Our Experts

Allen Keith employees are construction, restoration and design experts.

Our workforce includes more than 100 full-time employees (including the best carpenters, plasterers, plumbers, electricians, masons, roofers, painters and other tradesmen) who specialize in all types of building damage repair, remodeling and general construction. We pride ourselves in hiring employees vs. using subcontractors.  With special training in all aspects of restoration procedures, their attention to detail and quality workmanship is the reason our company has earned a reputation for prompt, professional service, quality and reliability.

Daniel Keith Hanlon
Founder

Dan Hanlon knows the value of quality; it’s the cornerstone of the business he created that specializes in rebuilding and repairing damage caused by fire, flood, wind and other catastrophes.

"Our reputation means everything to us," Dan says.

While still in college, and after he'd earned a business degree from Kent State University, Dan worked for an Akron-based insurance restoration company. When the Akron contractor closed its doors during the mid-1970s, Dan and a business partner set out on their own.

In 1976, they founded their own company specializing in insurance work; they formed its name—Allen Keith—from their own middle names.

What does Dan like best about his work? "The feeling of helping people in distress," he replied. "That's what makes it all worthwhile."

The son of Allen Keith’s founder, Dan Hanlon, Lonnie most recently served as an estimator and marketing representative for the company, where he has worked during the summers and in full-time positions over the past 12 years.

During his first three months on the job as marketing/estimating specialist in 2007, he expedited roofing and siding repairs for dozens of hailstorm-damaged homes in southeast Akron.

“Most of our success can be attributed to staying on the cutting edge of technology and offering the best service and highest quality work in the industry,” Lonnie said. “We plan to grow our business into new areas, not only geographically, but by providing new services to our customers, such as remodeling, ServiceMaster by Allen Keith and continual updating of our headquarters, showroom and Website.”

Born and raised in Hartville, OH, Lonnie is a graduate of Akron Archbishop Hoban High School and attended Ohio University. He was graduated from the College of Charleston, S.C. where he received a B.A. in business administration. Hanlon is an avid tennis player and political/charitable volunteer. Lonnie can be reached at lonnieh@allenkeith.com. 

His No. 1 goal for the firm is to continue past progress in 3 ways—advancing construction and information technology, replenishing Allen Keith’s menu of services, and strengthening solid relationships with insurance companies, vendor partners and its loyal customer base.

Bill majored in political science and telecommunications at Kent State University, where he was a member of the wrestling team.

Bill is a board member of Portage County Insurance Agents and past member of Canton Claims Association. He, wife Rhonda and son Eamon live in Norton. Bill can be reached at bmcguire@allenkeith.com

Mark Fowler, Allen Keith Construction’s production manager, demonstrates the credentials of an accomplished juggler. It is no small task to keep track of every employee at every job site in an organization the size of Allen Keith.

Mark has over 30 years’ construction experience, 18 with Allen Keith. He has managed some of the company’s largest projects, such as restoring and renovating Liberty Commons, an Akron commercial-residential complex.  For more about Mark Fowler, click here to view our Fall 2005 newsletter. Mark can be reached at mfowler@allenkeith.com 

James Currington
Operations Manager, ServiceMaster Clean®

Bill wears many hats—estimator, project manager, multi-trade journeyman, designer, salesman and much more, honed to the nth degree during nearly two decades with Allen Keith Construction Company.

Bill’s unique career path serves Allen Keith clients well:  he once ran a similar business and occasionally competed against Allen Keith, which he now calls “the best restoration company in the area.”

Bill is a strong family man. The Coldwells raised two daughters and a stepson; Bill coached basketball and softball when they were children. He also has been active in the Elks Club and Habitat for Humanity.

 “When people suffer a disaster, they are lost,” Bill believes, “so I put myself in their shoes and try to understand what they’ve been through.”

Before joining Allen Keith in August, 1991, Dave produced castings and molds for an area foundry. As Allen Keith project estimator, Dave gravitated to the more difficult reconstruction projects—those caused by major fires, tornadoes and hail storms.

The two most recent issues of this newsletter (Spring 2007 and 2008) describe the year-long reconstruction of three condos at Myers Lake. It epitomized the responsiveness, attention to detail and quality work of the full range of Allen Keith artisans.

One of Dave’s favorite testimonials came from one of the condo owners who praised the caring spirit, skills and professionalism of the 12-man crew: “After the fire, my life sank to the lowest possible level. Now it is at its highest."

Dave, a Coventry High School graduate, lives at Portage Lakes. Dave can be reached at dlamp@allenkeith.com

Hands-on, always prepared, ready to go... These phrases describe most Allen Keith Construction employees. With 30 years experience, Jim Newman lives and breathes these words. In addition to his duties as an Production Manager, Jim is on call 24-hours-a-day. For more about Jim Newman, click here to view our Fall 1998 newsletter.  

Steve Conant
Estimator/Sales Representative, 30 years’ experience

Steve Conant joined Allen Keith in 2008, bringing with him a wealth of experience in the construction industry. He has three decades of construction experience, including 16 years as president of his own Green homebuilding firm and 13 years’ service at a local lumber company.

Steve also is a past president and board member of the Home Builders Association serving Summit and Portage counties, is an alumnus of Ellet High School and studied business-management technology at University of Akron.

For more about Steve Conant, click here to read our Fall 2008 newsletter. Steve can be reached at sconant@allenkeith.com.

Jim Hufstetler
Marketing Manager

Jim Hufstetler serves as marketing manager and specializes in working with insurance agents and adjusters to settle claims and speed the reconstruction process for companies and homeowners who have suffered damage from storms, fire, water or vandalism.  For more about Jim Hufstetler, click here to view our Fall 2007 newsletter. Jim can be reached at jhufstetler@allenkeith.com.

Tim Hufstetler brings a lifetime of experience in sales, construction and insurance to his new position as an Allen Keith marketing representative. Read more about Tim and his twin brother, Jim, in our Fall 2008 newsletter. Tim can be reached at thufstetler@allenkeith.com