John R. Allen Jr. continues years of civic involvement

John R. Allen Jr. continues years of civic involvement
John R. Allen Jr. continues years of civic involvement
John R. Allen Jr.

John R. Allen Jr. steps up as chair of the Coral Gables of Commerce this month after years of civic involvement that merit both praise and appreciation.

Even before his years at Miami Palmetto High School, it was in middle school where John was first exposed to volunteerism as regional spokesperson for Junior Achievement. After earning his BBA and MBA at the University of Miami, John’s leadership skills served him well as a district sales manager for Gator Express for nine years followed by three years as regional sales manager for SCI before joining Home Financing Center Inc. in 1994.

John credits the late Jerry Santeiro, renowned for his philanthropic work, with getting him involved in community service through the Coral Gables Community Foundation on whose board he has served for the past six years. That first step led to many other opportunities for John to give back to the Coral Gables and South Florida community. Before taking over as chair of the chamber, he served for years on their board as everything from trustee chair to treasurer.

While years of Coral Gables Chamber and Community Foundation work have filled much of his free time, John also has taken on additional responsibilities serving in the President’s Cabinet of Miami Children’s Health Foundation and involvement with the Art Cinema, Sigma Epsilon Fraternity Alumni Association, and Sons of the American Revolution. In addition, on the professional front, he is an active member of BNI and the Mortgage Bankers Association of South Florida.

When John is not devoting time to his to Home Financing Center where is vice president of operations as well as his business and nonprofit work, he enjoys time with his wife of 14 years, Renee Madrigal, and son, John III, two stepsons and two step grandsons. A avid reader, mostly nonfiction, John also is a genealogist with two published books.

John Allen begins an exciting year as chamber chair, a commitment and job for which is prepared and will, no doubt, tackle with the same focus as he has over the years in his business.


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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.