William H. Allen

William H. Allen served as BOMA Atlanta’s Executive Secretary from 1949 to 1954.  

Following the retirement of BOMA Atlanta Executive Secretary Fred Shaefer due to health considerations, according to the October 20, 1948, BOMA Atlanta Executive Committee meeting minutes, “A motion was made by Mr. Healey and duly seconded by Mr. McKinley that the President appoint a committee of three, whose identity should remain anonymous, to make a full and complete report on the possible candidates for the office of Executive Secretary and report back to the Executive Committee on their findings. This motion, after discussion, was carried unanimously and your President did later appoint such committee.”

According to the November 24, 1948, BOMA Atlanta Executive Committee meeting minutes, “A report was submitted by your President of the special committee appointed at the last meeting of the Executive Committee to obtain the services of an Executive Secretary. This committee, for obvious reasons remaining anonymous, made its recommendation through your President that we employ William H. Allen, presently of the American Bakeries Company, as Executive Secretary …” A motion for approval was made and approved unanimously.

According to an article written by William C. Clonts, President of the Atlanta Association of Building Owners and Managers, and published in the December 5, 1948, issue of The Atlanta Journal, “Mr. Allen, a native Atlantan, comes to the Building Owners and Managers Assn with a background of lengthy service with his former business connection and five years of naval service during the late war, in which he rose from the enlisted ranks to lieutenant. Mr. Allen has previously been admitted to the bar and is presently attending Woodrow Wilson College of Law. He is a graduate of the University System of Georgia, where he became a member of Alpha Kappa Psi fraternity. He is married and lives with his wife and three children in Chamblee.”

William was born in Atlanta. He served in the U.S. Navy for five years, including during World War II, where he rose to the position of Lieutenant, Senior Grade. According to the May 13, 1949, BOMA Atlanta Executive Committee minutes, William served as a member of the Naval Reserve. Furthermore, in an August 17, 1950, letter from William to BOMA Atlanta President Raymond Inglett, William indicates he was recalled to active duty, with an order to report to the Naval Intelligence School in Washington, D.C., on August 21, 1950. In the letter, William also said, “The good wishes expressed by the membership are very much appreciated. I hope that BOMA, Inc. will continue to render the services to the membership and enjoy every success.” William was provided a leave of absence from his role as BOMA Atlanta Executive Secretary.

According to the October 25, 1950, minutes of the BOMA Atlanta Regular Semi-Monthly Meeting, Wiliam was assigned to Commander Naval Air Forces, Atlantic Fleet, in Norfolk, Virginia. He was released from active duty on August 20, 1952, and returned to his service as BOMA Atlanta Executive Secretary two days later. During William’s absence, Myrtle Ness initially served as Secretary, followed by Evie C. Robinson (Mrs. W. B.), who served as Acting Secretary.