Martin Allen, Jr.
Martin "Marty" J. Allen, Jr.
TERM AS TRUSTEE
September 17, 1981 - Present
Chairman Emeritus since 2006
Served as Foundation Chairman from 1985 - 2005
BIOGRAPHY
Marty Allen graduated from the University of Notre Dame and earned a MBA from Michigan State University. He has also received honorary doctoral degrees from Aquinas College and Grand Valley State University. Following graduation from Notre Dame, he served in the U.S. Naval Reserve, and retired as a Lieutenant Commander.
Allen was successful in banking, retiring as Executive Vice President from Old Kent Bank & Trust. He has continued his commitment of service to the Grand Rapids community throughout the years, including helping to co-found the first-ever Old Kent River Bank Run, currently the largest 25K race in the country. Allen served as an Honorary Pallbearer at Gerald R. Ford’s State Funeral and is a Lifetime Trustee of the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Foundation.
President Gerald R. Ford with then Notre Dame Monogram Club president Marty Allen presented the U.S. flag prior to the Notre Dame vs Boston College football game in 1997. President Ford was welcomed into the Notre Dame Monogram Club that same weekend. (Photo Courtesy of Notre Dame University)