Thomas Harrison

Thomas HarrisonAs Lamar University's fall 2007 ExxonMobil Executive-in-Residence, Thomas Harrison spoke to business students, faculty and visitors in the Landes Auditorium Tuesday morning (Nov. 6) in the College of Business.

Harrison, a lifelong resident of Beaumont, graduated from Lamar University in 1975 with a bachelor's degree in accounting.The ExxonMobil Executive-in-Residence series brings business leaders to the college for a day to dialog with students, faculty and graduate students.

Harrison founded Allco, Inc., in the fall of 1984.

Today, he is president of the diversified construction company based in Beaumont, with supporting offices in Houston and satellite offices throughout eastern and central Texas.

Allco has construction divisions that perform services in commercial, utility, highway and heavy construction areas.The company crossed $1 million in revenue in its first year of operation, and last year exceeded $80 million in sales.

In talking to the students, Harrison stressed the value of education in his career.Harrison spoke of the importance of capitalization, diversification, people skills and forming partnerships that complement skills and abilities, all factors that have served Allco well in its 22 years of business.

In response to the questions that followed, Harrison gave glimpses into the highly competitive business environment as he described the daily challenges and issues he faces.Later in the day, Harrison met with faculty of the business college and held an informal discussion with graduate students in the MBA program.

Harrison's connection to campus includes the fact that Allco, Inc., served as the general contractor for the construction of the university's state-of-the-art Sheila Umphrey Recreational Sports Center.

And, in a contract recently awarded by the City of Beaumont, Allco, Inc., will be upgrading Rolfe Christopher Drive on the eastern edge of the campus to a divided roadway with median, curbs and gutters.

Harrison began his construction career in 1976 as Chief Financial Officer for Bella Construction Co., a position he held until 1984, when he founded Allco.Besides his construction experience, Harrison has acquired numerous real estate holdings beginning in 1977 and continuing today as owner of Crown Team Texas, a holding corporation that includes local developments and business operations in Southeast Texas.

Harrison serves with several organizations, including the Beaumont Chamber of Commerce, Port Arthur Chamber of Commerce, Lamar University Cardinal Club, Associated General Contractors, and Houston Contractors Association.

Harrison is also a frequent contributor to local organizations and charities, including LU's Society of Civil Engineers, LU Athletics, The Shorkey Center, Beaumont ISD Education Foundation and the Port Arthur ISD Education Foundation.

The development team of Todd Christopher, vice president of Praxair Inc.'s U.S. Healthcare Supply; developer Jim Hayes; and Tommy Harrison, a co-owner of Allco Inc., a construction company, envisioned a canal system that adjoins the Intracoastal and circulates with it to ensure no stagnation.

Hayes is building the 187-lot, canal-based subdivision along more than a half-mile of the Intracoastal Waterway with development partners Todd Christopher, chief executive officer of Beaumont-based Home Care Supply, and Tommy Harrison, a co-owner of Allco Inc., a construction company, which also is preparing the site for development.