John C. Allen
Graduating class: 1923
Inducted into Hall of Fame: 2007
Hall of Fame Category: Lifetime Achievement
John Allen's greatest success was in the field of transportation. His organiz-ational and leadership skills put him on a path to success. After graduated from FHS John spent a year at Worcester Academy, graduating from there in 1924. He received his B.A. degree in Economics from Wesleyan University in 1928 and went directly to Mandell Brothers of Chicago. There he rose to traffic manager. John transferred to Sears, Roebuck Co. in 1932 and eventually became General Manager.
In 1953 he was appointed to the position of Assistant Postmaster General in the Eisenhower Administration and was known as "the idea man". John inaugurated first class mail by air, and he was credited with saving the government and the taxpayer's money in obtaining speedier and more economical mail service.
John was also responsible for changing United States Postal mailboxes from army green to blue, and U.S. mail trucks from army green to red, white and blue as a patriotic symbol. He became nationally known as an expert in traffic and transportation.
After leaving Washington, he formed the John Allen & Associates Company, his own transportation-consulting firm where he served as president. He formed the ITOFCA, a non-profit shippers organization that became the largest of its kind in the nation.
John was the first person to receive the prestigious King Pin Award by the National Piggyback Association for his important contributions to the development of piggyback transportation in the country.
He was the founding member and President of the Lombard Illinois Chapter of the Society for the Preservation and encouragement of Barber Shop Quartet Singing in America.
While at Fairhaven High School, John President of the Senior Class, President of the Debating Society as well as the V-P of the French Club. John was also a member of the Boys Scouts Troop I and he received the Eagle Scout Award. He also lettered in track and baseball.