Mike Allen

McALLEN, Aug. 26 - Mike Allen, the legendary former president and CEO of the McAllen Economic Development Corporation has died. He was 72.

Allen, a former priest and co-founder of the Texas Border Coalition, had been suffering from chronic lymphocytic leukemia.

Although ill health led him to retire as leader of the McAllen EDC in January 2006, he remained active in the community and continued to serve as a trustee for South Texas College.

The voters in District 3, covering south McAllen, southwest Pharr, Hidalgo, Sharyland, southeast Mission and Granjeno, re-elected Allen to the STC board in May.

Allen led the MEDC for 17 years, from its inception.

“This is very sad news. Mike Allen was one of the rocks and foundations that helped the City of McAllen become what it is today,” Monica Weisberg-Stewart, chair of the TBC’s immigration committee, told the Guardian.

“Mike was a strong headed individual who never took no for an answer. He was able to get us all together to get us to the next level. He understood the bigger picture. He knew that by bringing people and cities together the border region would have a louder voice in Austin and Washington. He was a foundation planter.”

A statement from the City of McAllen said funeral arrangements are pending. A tweet from the MEDC said: “A great friend and leader has passed away. Mike Allen, the first president of MEDC… you will be missed.”

The City of McAllen is due to release an official obituary later today. Hidalgo County Judge Rene Ramirez will also be putting out a statement. The Guardian will bring more tributes as they come in.

Click here to read Valley Newsline’s feature on Mike Allen when he retired as head of the MEDC.

Write Staff

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