Allen tackles energy realm
Who in this world doesn’t need energy?”
After interning with technology companies in the energy field his last couple of years in the NFL, Allen cofounded Nascent Group Holdings (NGH) in 2016, a holdings company that makes investments with a focus on energy, technology and real estate. His new company, NGH Energy, is a branch of NGH and is strictly focused on business ventures related to energy services and technology and engineering consulting.
“We find sustainable solutions for energy problems,” Allen said.
Those solutions are widespread and include everything from water-conservation measures to retro-fitting buildings. Whatever the project, the goal is simple.
“It’s all about eliminating waste,” he said. “Wasted time, wasted money, wasted energy, wasted resources. I’m trying to use my platform to help create a more efficient culture.”
In addition to creating energy-efficient solutions, Allen is passionate about educating people on conserving resources and more efficiently using energy, which has financial benefits “regardless of whether or not you believe in the environmental benefits.”
“I’m not going to tell a family that’s been mining coal for seven generations that their business is bad for the environment,” Allen said. “But I amgoing to tell them the facts of coal’s decline and try to get them to meet me in the middle.”
One of Allen’s former teammates isn’t surprised by Allen’s successful post-football endeavors because of his “all-in personality.”
“The thing about Will is whatever he’s passionate about, he’s going to do his research and dive right in,” said linebacker Arthur Moats, who played with Allen for two years. “I talked to him about the energy gig a little while ago, and I could just tell how passionate he is about it.”
Something else Allen is passionate about? The Will Allen Foundation, which he started in 2008.
The foundation’s vision, according to its website, “is to provide a level playing field for all, allowing each individual to achieve his or her greatest success.” The means to that end, for Allen, is to educate young people so “they know what careers and opportunities are out there.”
Allen got started in the energy sector through the NFL Players Association Externship program, which allows active players to pursue internships in everything from hospitality to sales in the offseason. But wanting to pursue something that has a greater impact, Allen demanded the program create its first energy sector internship.
Through the program, he worked for Congressman Bobby Rush of Illinois, the ranking Democrat on the House Energy Subcommittee; National Grid, a natural gas and electricity company; and a few other technology companies in the energy field.
As he discovered through those internships, the energy sector will continue to provide ample job opportunities — a message he has tried to convey to youth in his foundation through field trips and energy solutions project-based learning.
Allen’s company and foundation have kept him plenty busy post-NFL, but he says he misses the game he played since he was 8 years old, and “some days are harder than others,” he said.
He still keeps an eye on his former team, and Allen thinks the Steelers defense has the potential to be one of the best in the NFL.
“I think it can be a top-five defense if the front seven stays healthy and plays at a high level,” he said. “The secondary can feed off them, which is exactly what we did on the top-five defense in 2010.
“They’re going to have four first-rounders and a potential Hall of Famer in James Harrison. They have all the pieces to be top five.”
Allen’s passion for football remains, but it’s time for him to chase his energy dreams, just like he did his football ones, he said. “I love energy. I find it fascinating. So I’m going for it.” Will Greer: wgreer@postgazette.com.
“Energy impacts everyone on this earth. It’s the most global thing I think of. Who in this world doesn’t need energy?” — Will Allen