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Al was the first employee of SCCA, appointed executive vice president and manager effective January 1, 1974.

Before that time he had served as manager of the Los Angeles Chapter of the Engineering and Grading Contractors Association--the group that ultimately evolved into our organization today.

Prior to his work in the construction trade association world, Al had a lengthy career with the California Contractors State License Board.

Albert was born in Smith County Tennessee, April 6, 1912. In typical Al-fashion, he would often joke that "the next most important thing that happened that April was the sinking of the Titanic, nine days later."  He lived in different parts of Tennessee and Illinois before he went into the Navy Seabees where he served in the “Big One”, World War II. 

He leaves behind his wife of 61 years, Virginia Louise Atwood, four children: Donald Atwood, Charlene Hauser, Doris Mitchell and Janice Dunn, 10 grandchildren Mark Atwood, Nicole Svoboda, Bradley Albert Atwood, Cassie Atwood, Michael Hauser, Amanda and Andrew Mitchell, Trevor Dunn, Paula Byron and Kevin Dunn and 13 great-grandchildren as well as many nieces and nephews.  He was preceded in death by three brothers Vernon Atwood, William Atwood and Arnold Atwood.                 

At Al's request, the family will not be holding a funeral or memorial service.

It is often said of Al that one secrets of his success as an executive was consensus building, providing information for association members and then letting these informed business people make the right decision.

Al was also a master at recognizing the contributions of others. Even late into his life, when you would ask him about issues that came up during his tenure, Al would always point to one member or another and give them full credit for his accomplishments.

We asked SCCA members to return the favor. On these pages we are going to build a living history and memorial to Al Atwood. We ask each member of SCCA and the construction industry at large who has an "Al Story" to share it with us and we will post them on this site.

Members of the Atwood family are also posting their contributions so that we may see, remember and cherish the whole man that we knew so simply as Al.