About Allen

A Bit about Me

  • I am a serial entrepreneur in the technology sector, currently CEO of Cumulus Global, a cloud computing service provider that works with small businesses, local governments, and schools. I have located my businesses in Westborough since 2005. My background includes software development, strategic technology consulting, and serving as the CIO for several small businesses in our area.

  • I moved to Westborough in 2002 with my wife, Lisa. Our son is a Freshman at Westborough High School; our daughter is a WHS graduate in her first year at the University of Rochester.

  • I grew up outside of Chicago and have lived and worked in Illinois, Northern California, and Boston. I have lived in the Boston and the "boroughs area" since relocating to Massachusetts in 1987.

  • I am an alumni of the University of Michigan ('87) with an Honors Bachelors of Science Degree in Computer and Communication Sciences.

  • I am an advocate for small business. In addition to local chambers of commerce, my businesses have been members of the New England Business Association (formerly SBANE) since 1993. I served two terms on the association's board of directors.

  • I support public education. Personally, and through my businesses, I have supported many of the nonprofits working to enhance our schools' academics, sports, and arts programs.

  • I believe in community service. I was the founding President and served 5 years on the Board of Directors for the Boroughs JCC. We created a community center and a non-profit preschool with a nationally recognized program. I am proud to have served on the implementation committee for the BORO Program, helping launch the BORO Sugar Shack as an innovative learning lab for our 18-22 year old students and the school community.

  • I served as a member on the Charter Review Committee (2018/2019).

  • Since taking office as a member of the Select Board, I have served on the Capital Planning Expenditure Committee, Economic Development Committee, Affordable Housing Trust Working Group, and the Town's Finance Team.

  • I also serve as a Trustee on the Westborough Affordable Housing Trust.

Profile Submitted to the Community Advocate

The Community Advocate recently published a profile of me, and the other candidates. Here are the topics and answers I submitted in response to three prompts.

Background

I am an entrepreneur, community advocate, husband, father, and concerned taxpayer. Working in tech since moving to the area in 1987, I’ve run my own businesses since 1993. Currently, my Westborough-based company helps small businesses take advantage of cloud computing. We have also helped over 700 school districts bring new technologies into the classroom. Living in Town since 2002, my community involvement includes service as founding President of the Boroughs JCC, helping launch the Westborough Education Technology Fund, and serving on the recent Charter Review Committee. My children attend Westborough Public Schools; my wife, Lisa, is active in our schools and currently serves on the School Committee.

Main Reason for Running

I believe that local government is about “P’s and Q’s”. Public Safety and Health, Public Education, Public Works, and Quality of Life. Everything we do should contribute to the betterment of these services and our Town. Westborough faces some near-term and long term challenges. Since 2010, commercial tax revenues have dropped from 40% to 32% of our tax levy, putting pressure on residents. The management and timing of our debt creates years with large, debt-driven tax increase. Looking forward, Westborough will run out of new buildable land as a means to expand our tax base. As a Selectman, I hope to apply my mix of business and community experience to help address these short term and long term issues, and others, in ways that preserve Westborough’s character, honor our commitment of service to our community, and respect the taxpayer.

Committee or Project most interested on working on and why

Affordability. While not a committee or a specific project, I want to help ensure Westborough is affordable for all of its residents. This issue encompasses many issues and opportunities, including: Rethinking how the Town manages spending and debt; Increasing our commercial tax base; and Capturing more federal and state funds.. This effort means working with committees and organizations, from our Town departments and our Advisory Finance Committee to the Central Massachusetts Regional Planning Commission and regional alliances. To keep Westborough Affordable, we need to offset costs and increase the percentage of our tax levy from commercial properties. We need forward thinking, fresh ideas, and a focus on the outcomes we want.