Allen Morris serves community through faith, philanthropy

Allen Morris serves community through faith, philanthropy
Allen Morris serves community through faith, philanthropy
ALLEN MORRIS

Allen Morris, chair, president & CEO of the Allen Morris Company, is as successful in business as he is in his philanthropic endeavors. He is passionate about God, his family, his community, and making this world a better place through his volunteer efforts and his generosity.

While a native of Coral Gables, Morris attended high school in Chattanooga, TN; graduated from Georgia Tech, and then went on to Harvard Business School.

Morris is a man whose buildings reflect his love for Coral Gables as well as his appreciation for history and art. His iconic building on Alhambra, the former site of a church, pays a beautiful and thoughtful tribute to the church by saving special pieces from the church such as stained glass and incorporating that into the design of the new building.

A man of great faith, Allen’s giant nativity display erected every year in front of his building is one that reminds us all of the reason for the Christmas season.

It is no wonder that Morris first became involved in community outreach and volunteerism through the Boy Scouts and his church. He credits his parents for being role models in making volunteerism a way of life and receives great joy from making a difference in people’s lives, their families and the community, which is most evident in the many organizations in which he is active.

He is the former chair, National Advisory Board, Executive Ministries; former Ruling Elder, Granada Presbyterian Church, Coral Gables, and recipient of the Arthur S. DeMoss Recognition Award, Executive Ministries.

A man of many talents and interests, Morris is a licensed commercial pilot who flies himself for most of his business travel. Married to June Elizabeth Thomson Morris, he has four children, two stepchildren and two grandchildren. When he has time for just plain fun, Morris enjoys diving reefs as a certified scuba diver and he is even a Tae Kwon Do Master (fourth degree black belt).

If you want something done, ask Morris and he will find a way. He is one of those busy people who make time where none exists. To that point, he currently serves as an Executive Board member, United Way of Miami-Dade County, chairing VeritageMiami 2015 and 2016; is a member of World Presidents’ Organization (WPO); serves on the board of directors, founder, YPO Fellowship Forum Inc.; serves on the board of directors, founder, YPO Fellowship Foundation Inc. (Hickok Award, YPO International; is a lifetime member, Orange Bowl Committee where he has chaired various committees (Advisory Council 1997-99); is on the board at-large and Chairman’s Circle member of the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce, and past chair, Opa-Locka Airport Task Force; past chairman, Watson Island Sub Committee; serves on the advisory board, Christian Community Foundation of South Florida; is founding director, Angel Relief Fund, (Hurricane Katrina); is a member, Two Hundred Club of Greater Miami; senior member, Miami Rotary Club, member of the Sons of the American Revolution, and a member, Council for National Policy.

Over the years Morris has served as chair, member, Young Presidents’ Organization (YPO) FL Chapter 1997-98; president and member of the bjoard of drirectors, The Miami Club; division chair, Dade County United Way Campaign; general chair and director, United Protestant Appeal; chair, Major Gifts Committee, Channel 2 Auction (WPBT-TV, Public TV); chair, South Florida Initiative – Economic Missions to Japan & Korea; director, Miami City Club; member of national board of directors Boys’ Clubs of America, New York; Advisory Council, The Francis A. Schaeffer Institute, St. Louis; president, Brickell Area Association; board member, The Dade County Citizens Safety Council; board of managers, Southwest YMCA, finance chair; member, CEO; board of directors, Metropolitan Miami- Dade YMCA, and member, Committee of 100 of Miami Beach.


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A graduate of the University of Florida with a major in Spanish, Burns has an extensive background in advertising, marketing and reciprocal trade, travel , non profit consulting and management. Before joining Miami's Community Newspapers as a columnist and marketing specialist, Gloria was the Executive Director of the Jr. Orange Bowl Committee (6 yrs.) and first Executive Director of the Coral Gables Community Foundation (14 yrs.) and the Pinecrest Community Foundation (1 ½ yrs) . Burns' volunteer activities led her to become a columnist for Community Newspapers writing Gloria’s Gab, that focuses on the non-profit activity, and a host of an online show, Gloria's Gab LIVE. Gloria serves the board of the Rotary Club of Coral Gables as Civic and Charity Chair, and is involved in the club's International Committee. She is an active Life Member of the Jr. Orange Bowl Committee and is Secretary of the Merrick Festival. She serves on the board of directors of the Coral Gables Woman' Club as Publicity Chair and also coordinates the club's monthly fundraiser for various charities with Gringo Bingo at Clutch Burger. In addition, Gloria participates in numerous other charitable events and is a member of the Business Forum Group, Profit Inc., the Greater Miami Festival & Events Association and the Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce. In other volunteer activity, Gloria helps Miami Christian School with fund-raising and PR; is an Ambassador and volunteers for events for A Safe Haven for Newborns. She is an active member of the Music Ministry at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church where she enjoys singing in the choir every weekend.