Allied Concert Services, Inc. was formed in 1948 by Norm Wendt and was based in Wolf Point, MT, where Mr. Wendt also taught school. Beginning with a few concert association clients in eastern Montana and western North Dakota, Mr. Wendt gradually expanded eastward into Minnesota, Iowa and South Dakota. In 1950, he moved to the Minneapolis area, where Allied has been based ever since.
Windom, MN was one of the communities affiliated with Allied. John Folin was the high school vocal music teacher there, and the President of the Windom Concert Association. In 1966, Mr. Wendt offered John a position with Allied which he was pleased to accept. John moved his wife and 2 sons to Minneapolis and began his career with Allied. At this time, Allied worked with approximately 50 concert associations which were located in Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, North & South Dakota and Montana.
In 1978, Mr. Wendt retired and John assumed ownership of Allied. One of Allied’s long-time employees was Ralph Ledin, who continued to ably assist John until his death in 1984. Paul Folin, John’s son, graduated from college in 1983 and began working for Allied. At this time, Allied worked with approximately 75 concert associations which kept John & Paul very busy.
Allied grew into Nebraska and Colorado in 1988 when it teamed up with Omaha-based concert organizer Dick Walter . With considerably more territory to cover, the time was ripe for David Folin to join his father and brother with Allied. Now with about 90 concert associations, Allied needed more office help and Jean Folin, John’s wife and Paul & David’s mother, began to lend a valuable hand.
The following years witnessed slow but steady growth for Allied, expanding further into Colorado, Wyoming and Missouri. Jean retired from Allied in 1994 to enjoy more leisure time so Paul’s wife Cynthia began to work in her place and more fully developed the office manager position. She brought strong organizational and computer skills that were missing and greatly improved office efficiency. Now in early 2006, Cynthia has also moved on to new professional activities and Willow Bousu has joined Allied as office manager.
Allied’s growth has accelerated between 2001-2005 and now works in nearly 150 organized audience associations in some 15 states.
But while the Folin’s are kept plenty busy, they are ably supported by several regional representatives, including Dede Cromer in Wisconsin, Bill Fegan in Colorado and New Mexico, Bob Iverson in Minnesota, North Dakota and Montana, and Vi Ranney in South Dakota, Nebraska and Kansas. Murrae Freng recently retired from representing Allied in Minnesota.
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