Allen gets credit for putting the community first in life

No matter where he has lived, giving back to his community is what Jeffrey Allen enjoys most.

He does this through his job at the BloodCenter of Wisconsin, through having an affect on the youth in the community and through his involvement in providing service through charities.

Allen, a Brookfield resident, was honored for his efforts as he was recently named one of The Business Journal's "Chief Financial Officers of the Year."

The award recognizes chief financial officers or heads of finance who are making a difference within their organizations, the accounting profession and within their communities.

He was honored earlier this month at the Pfister Grand Ballroom in Milwaukee, along with the other award recipients.

"I am very honored and appreciative of the recognition," Allen said. "It is especially meaningful to me that the board values my contributions so much. It is also a privilege to be recognized among so many other talented financial leaders."

Allen, who has worked at the BloodCenter for a little more than nine years, holds the titles of executive vice president, chief strategy officer and chief financial officer. Under his financial leadership, the BloodCenter's revenue has nearly doubled and the BloodCenter Research Foundation's assets have increased two and a half times. He previously worked for Baxter Healthcare for 16 years in a number of positions.

"I love working for a healthcare organization that brings so much good to the communities we serve by saving and enhancing people's lives," said Allen, who grew up in Glen Ellyn, Ill., before receiving his finance degree from Northern Illinois University. He received his master's degree from the University of California-Irvine when he moved to southern California to take a job with Baxter Healthcare as a financial analyst.

While his job is important to him, he might get the most satisfaction from coaching youth sports.

He has coached more than 60 youth sports teams in 15 years. He got a license to coach competitive club soccer through eighth grade (which he did for his two daughters) and also coached softball, flag football and basketball for the Brookfield Parks, Recreation and Forestry Department. He also coached his son in the Elmbrook Little League.

"I love sports, and I love being involved with my children in their activities," Allen said. "My greatest satisfaction is when every player on the team is noticeably better by the end of the year, the team has lots of success, and all the parents and players have fun."

Allen also has fun through the Waukesha Rotary. He said he is particularly active in the planning for the organization's Pancake Festival every February. Proceeds support a number of charities in the community.

Fun Fact

As an avid sports fan of Chicago sports teams, Allen said an interesting fact about him is that he has attended at least one significant event for each of the city's four major teams:

Game 5 of the Bulls' victory over the Los Angeles Lakers in L.A. to give Michael Jordan his first championship in 1991.

Carlos Zambrano's no-hitter for the Cubs at Miller Park against the Astros when the game was moved due to Hurricane Ike in 2008.

Game 1 of the Blackhawks' victory over the Philadelphia Flyers of the Stanley Cup Finals in 2010.

The Bears' loss to the Packers in the NFC Championship game at Soldier Field in 2011.