Bob Allen grew up in Mauston, Wisconsin and graduated from Mauston High School in 1970. While in high school, Bob participated in basketball and cross country. In 1974, after high school, Bob enrolled at UW-L where he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and Political Science. At UW-L, Bob was elected President of Delta Sigma Pi Professional Business Fraternity. He was later appointed by the Chancellor to serve on the Alumni Association Board to represent his graduating class.

Bob currently serves as the Branch Manager and Senior Vice President of Investments at Stifel Nicolaus in La Crosse. Bob has spent 37 years as a financial advisor and 12 years as Branch Manager. He also was a member of the first Smith Barney retail training class on Wall Street.

Bob is married to his wife of 35 years, Laurel, who has worked in the Activities Department at La Crescent High School for 18 years. They have two sons: Ryan, a market research analyst for Mayo Health Systems, and Kyle, who is currently attending UW-Stout majoring in Early Childhood Education.

Bob’s passion for serving youth began in his adolescence when he first saw a television ad for the Boys and Girls Clubs of Chicago. He felt that a safe place with a gym and after-school programming was the “neatest idea ever.” 30 years later in 1994, he was asked to join the Board of Directors of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater La Crosse. Bob viewed this invitation as a great opportunity to serve youth. He held the role of Board President from 2011-2013 and continues to be a board member today. His commitment to the Club is unsurpassed. He serves on numerous committees, volunteers, and attends almost every special event.

Bob’s community involvement does not end with the Club. He currently serves as Vice Chairman of the Board of Advisors to the College of Business Administration at UW-L, a Board member of La Crosse Rotary East, and a member of the UW-L Foundation Investment Committee. In the past, Bob served as Chairman of the UW-L Foundation, President of the La Crosse Rotary East, Chairman of the La Crescent Community Foundation, Chairman of the La Crescent Police and Fire Commission, and National Chairman of the Piper Jaffray Corporate Community Involvement Council. He also served as a Past Board member of the UW-L Alumni Association, La Crescent Chamber of Commerce, Junior Achievement, and served on the UW-L Chancellor search and screen committee.



Because of Bob’s outstanding service to the community, he has received many awards such as the James Snow Memorial Community Service Award given by Piper Jaffray, the Silver Helmet Award from Delta Sigma Pi, a Paul Harris Fellowship from his Rotary Club, and he is an honorary member of the Golden Key Society at UW-L. In 2005, Bob also received the Boys and Girls Club distinguished service award. In his own words, Bob expressed that his involvement in the Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater La Crosse has been a better experience than he could ever have imagined.