Arkansas native W. W. “Wayne” Allen attended Oklahoma State University, where he earned a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering and a Master’s Degree in Industrial Engineering. He was employed by Phillips Petroleum, managing exploration and production worldwide, until his retirement in 1999.

A member of many professional organizations, Allen assumed roles of service on the public policy committee of the American Petroleum Institute, co-chaired the Oklahoma Energy Centennial Committee celebrating 100 years of the petroleum industry in Oklahoma, and in January of 1998 became chairman of the State Chamber of Commerce. He served as trustee of the board of governors of the Oklahoma State University Foundation and as chairman of the 'Bringing Dreams to Life' campaign to raise $125 million for the university. Honors he received include induction into the OSU College of Engineering, Architecture, and Technology Hall of Fame, and the OSU Alumni Association Hall of Fame.