Allan MacLeod

Allan MacLeod is a lifelong resident of Prince Edward Island. After graduating from Montague Regional High, Allan worked as a farm labourer for a year before enrolling in the fledgling Commercial Design course at Holland College. Allan's work ethic was well suited to the college's self-training and evaluation program.

By the end of the first year, he was employed part-time as the first designer for a local print company and by graduation he was working full time. Before long he was overseeing additional design staff. Allan remained with that company until mid-August of 1988, when he was deemed incompatible with management and was fired.

After a "woe is me" weekend, Allan began the job hunt. A chance meeting at the exhibition grounds with Don Smith, president of Design Associates provided a life-changing opportunity. Don launched TechnoGraphics, with Allan as President. TechnoGraphics was to use Macintosh computers to provide typesetting to Don Smith's design firms. Roberta MacLean and Blair Sweeney, both graduates of Holland College’s Commercial design program, joined Allan.

Allan soon realized that these "computers" could do more than just set type. TechnoGraphics pushed the envelope and became one of the first companies in the Atlantic region to use the computer as a design tool. The majority of his clients followed Allan to TechnoGraphics, and with the increased production capacity afforded by technology the company was successful from the start. TechnoGraphics continued to thrive while the parent company declined. In 1993, Allan purchased TechnoGraphics and changed the name to TechnoMedia. Raymond Arsenault and Donna MacKinnon came from Design Associates to work for TechnoMedia. Things were rough for a while, but Allan soon had the business in a strong financial position.

In 1994 he purchased Cardinal Communications in Halifax, and the following spring moved Cardinal to its own building on Agricola Street. With the move complete, the entire Cardinal staff resigned to start their own company. Starting from scratch, Allan decided that Cardinal would be given a new direction, focusing on historical interpretive display. He hired Don Smith as president and the rejuvenated company grew to have a permanent staff of eight. Cardinal became respected and sought after throughout Atlantic Canada and beyond.

After seven successful years, Allan noticed a slowing in the Halifax market and decided to wind down Cardinal and focus his attention on TechnoMedia. By 2001, an historic property had been purchased at 17 Pownal Street and renovations were undertaken to make this TechnoMedia's permanent home.

Under Allan's leadership TechnoMedia continued to thrive. The business expanded further with Michael Critchley hired to head web development. In 2008 Allan hired Heather Ogg to work with Mike. Prior to moving to Prince Edward Island in spring 2009, Heather worked remotely from her home in Montreal. This was a flawless experience. In February of 2009, Allan participated in a two-week Habitat for Humanity build in Quintay, Chile. He had never been away from his business for longer than an extended weekend. All went remarkably well. In May 2009, Allan decided to retire. He suggested to Blair and Roberta that they should buy TechnoMedia. They thought this was a dandy idea.

June 30, 2009, was Allan's last day of gainful employment. He is looking forward to days without deadlines and travelling to El Salvador in March for another Habitat for Humanity build.

Allan received a Distinguished Alumni Award in 2009