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Legendary McAllen Leader Mike Allen Passes Away

Thursday, August 26th, 2010


Mike Allen

Texas Border Business

Following is the link to the memorial site that is under development, but there are currently more than 70 photos posted of Mr. Allen along with three of his quotes.

 http://admin.southtexascollege.edu/memorial/allen/index.html

McAllen, TX—Michael A. Allen, former president and chief executive officer of the McAllen Economic Development Corporation and McAllen Foreign-Trade Zone, passed away Wednesday night at Rio Grande Regional Hospital with his wife Theresa and family at his side. Allen battled chronic lymphocytic leukemia. He was 72

Allen was born in New Kensington, Pennsylvania and moved to Port Lavaca, Texas as a young boy in elementary school. He attended St. Anthony’s High School and the Oblate Seminary. He began his life in McAllen as a Catholic Priest at the Sacred Heart Church in McAllen. Allen married his wife, Theresa on August 24, 1991.

Allen was named the McAllen Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) President & CEO by the late McAllen Mayor Othal E. Brand, Sr. He was tasked by Mayor Brand with three main objectives; better relations with Mexico, operating the Foreign Trade Zone as a business with a positive cash flow and to create and maintain jobs in McAllen.

Under the direction of Allen, the McAllen area flourished, attracting 206 new businesses and creating thousands of jobs. His efforts also successfully attracted 292 new businesses to the Reynosa area, creating thousands more jobs and economic prosperity for both sides of the border.

To create better relations with Mexico, Allen formed and organized the Texas Border Infrastructure Coalition, an organization comprised of mayors, city managers, chambers of commerce and economic development corporations, as well as influential business leaders from Brownsville to El Paso. Allen also co-founded the Texas Border Partnership, a coalition of 5 Hidalgo County cities.

Allen was instrumental in campaigning for the development of the I-69 highway and the Anzalduas International Bridge, helping to spur economic growth and alleviate traffic congestion throughout the region. He received the prestigious Road Hand Award from the Texas Department of Transportation in 2009.

For his efforts and successes, Allen was named the 2006 Border Texan of the Year. Following his retirement from the MEDC, Allen remained active in the community, having served as a South Texas College Board of Trustees member since 2004. He also served as chairman of the Workforce Training and Education Committee at South Texas College. As Chairman of the South Texas College Board of Trustees, the college had the second highest retention rate for large community colleges in Texas.

The McAllen Economic Development Corporation also established the Regional Academic Health Center and the legislation that led to its creation. Allen was a member of numerous organizations, such as the American Economic Development Council, the Mexican Chamber of Commerce, the American Chamber of Commerce, the Reynosa Maquila Association, Texas Good Roads and Transportation Association, the Lower Rio Grande Development Council, the Texas Marketing Team, CoreNet, and the Rio Grande Valley Chamber of Commerce. He also served on the Board of Directors of the Rio Grande Valley Council of Governments and for five years was a member of the Governor’s Task Force on Management and Labor Relations.

“He’s helped so many people and that’s his legacy,” said his sister Joyce Skinner. “He spent his life trying to make things better for others. He had an amazing knack of making himself available and easy to love.”

Allen served as president & CEO of the MEDC for 18 years, since its inception. Allen retired in 2006 and continued to serve his community as the District 3 South Texas College Board Trustee. His district covers south McAllen, southwest Pharr, Hidalgo, Sharyland, southeast Mission, and Granjeno, and was re-elected by his constituents in May of this year.

“Mike helped define this region as a vibrant economic area with great opportunity. He recognized the importance of education and worked hard to provide necessary job training for our citizens, as well as provide access to higher education. We will miss him dearly but his spirit will always be part of our community,” said McAllen Mayor Richard F. Cortez.

Allen’s legacy will live on as his guidance and expertise has helped counterparts in Mexico establish similar economic development. Allen consulted with state governors and economic teams in Guerrero, Oaxaca, Veracruz, Chiapas, Quintana Roo, Merida, Campeche, Tabasco and Puebla, to share insight and knowledge on how to attract growth and industry to their respective regions.

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Kreidler Funeral Home in McAllen.

There will be a rosary on Friday, August 27, 2010 at noon at Sacred Heart Church, 306 S. 15th St., McAllen.

A funeral mass will take place on Saturday, August 28, 2010 at 10:00 am at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church, 630 N. Dunlap, in Mission.

Mr. Allen's burial will be private.

Allen is survived by his wife Theresa, step-sons Alan and Richard Skinner, his brothers and sisters, Cassie Musso Ribelin, Theresa Allen, Pat Allen, Charles Allen, James Skloss, Virginia Phillips, Joyce Skloss, Lawrence Skloss, Mary Susan Walker and his 22 much loved nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Our Lady of Guadalupe Church Building Fund, Mission, TX, Rev. Roy Snipes.

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