ABOUT ALEJANDRO E. GRULLÓN E.

 

Perfil
Alejandro E. Grullón E.

Born on April 3, 1929 in Santiago de los Caballeros, Mr. Alejandro E. Grullón E. descends from a family that has provided illustrious collaborators with the national welfare.

Due to his notable performance as founder of the first private capital bank in the Dominican Republic, which brought together the contributions of shareholders and savers from all social classes and geographical regions of the country from its inception, Alejandro E. Grullón E. is thought of as one of the pioneers of the national financial system.

However, his contributions to society have gone beyond the world of finance, becoming a true catalyst for the development of the country's capacities.

Initially tied to family-owned agricultural and timber production, he soon became aware of the needs of other young entrepreneurs like him for varied and accessible financial services. For this reason, from within the Association for Development, Inc. (APEDI), in addition to collaborating in the creation of important national institutions of different kinds, it managed to arouse interest in the creation of a private capital bank, with representation in six major provinces.

From its origins, Banco Popular was born with the vocation of offering services to small industries and the rural sector, as well as democratizing financial services by opening savings and checking accounts with low deposits. This meant an increase in financial inclusion of the Dominican population and the consequent opening of avenues for economic growth and progress.

In order to offer a wider range of banking services, various financial institutions were created under his direction, which allowed him to continue expanding the product portfolio.

Mr. Alejandro presided over Banco Popular Dominicano during its first 25 years of existence, and was also distinguished for being founder and president, among other companies, of Tenedora Popular, C. x A., in 1970, today Grupo Popular, S.A., whose Board of Directors chaired until April 26, 2014.

Promoter of national institutions

In the years that he established and consolidated Banco Popular, Alejandro E. Grullón E. became aware of the need to work together as a sector and, therefore, he began the creation of the Association of Commercial Banks of the Dominican Republic (ABA ). He also became involved in the creation of a business community more committed to his country through the Dominican Development Foundation (FDD) and the creation of the Institutionality and Justice Foundation (FINJUS), to contribute to the debate and formalization of a judicial system. more effective and transparent.

In addition, his figure has been closely linked to other important institutions in the country such as the Universidad Católica Madre y Maestra de Santiago, Acción Pro-Educación y Cultura (APEC), the Governing Commission of the Colonial Zone of the City of Santo Domingo and the Commission of Promotion of Foreign Investments, among other positions.

His extensive business career spans more than fifty years, in which he has accumulated extraordinary merits and has stood out for his visionary spirit and entrepreneurial character, capable of creating and developing companies and institutions that have contributed significantly to the process of economic strengthening. and society of the country. During this time, Mr. Grullón has played important roles in various commissions of notable businessmen, created to face the difficult challenges of the country in the last five decades.

During this time he has continued to support institutional initiatives aimed at improving issues of interest that raise the values of Dominicanness. Such is the case of the Follow-up Commission for the Renovation and Maintenance Works of the Nuestra Señora de la Altagracia Cathedral Basilica, the Cueva de las Maravillas Board of Trustees, the Sur Futuro Foundation and the Presidential Advisory Council. Upon the death of his brother, Arturo Grullón E., Mr. Alejandro was appointed, by decree of the Executive Power, in the presidency of Plan Sierra, a non-profit institution linked to the preservation of water in the river basin of the northern region , helping to turn this initiative into the most important environmental sustainability project in the country.

Recognitions to his figure

Among the many acknowledgments to his person, Mr. Grullón has received the Order of Duarte, Sánchez and Mella, in the Commander Grade, as well as the Heraldic Order of Christopher Columbus, in the Silver Plaque Grand Cross Degree, from the President of the Dominican Republic.

For his contributions to the Panamanian financial system, through the internationally licensed subsidiary Popular Bank, the President of the Republic of Panama, Mr. Martín Torrijos Espino, decorated him in 2009 with the Vasco Núñez de Balboa Order, in the Degree of Grand Officer.

His Holiness Pope John Paul II granted him the Order of Saint Gregory the Great, in the Grade of Knight of Grand Cross, on August 25, 1997.

He received the Doctorate Honoris Causa in Humanities from the Pontificia Universidad Católica Madre y Maestra, on January 25, 1997, and the Doctorate Honoris Causa in Administrative Sciences granted in October 2008 by the Universidad Central del Este.

Months before, the Dominican Chamber of Deputies granted him recognition in August 2008, highlighting "his financial vision of him and his high dedication to service." Later, in May 2011, the Senate distinguished him "for his contributions in the economic and social spheres of the Dominican Republic and for his impeccable life as a good man and exemplary citizen for the best interests of the nation."

In April 2014, during the joint Shareholders' Meetings of Banco Popular Dominicano and Grupo Popular, the appointment of Mr. Alejandro E. Grullón E. as President Ad Vitam, a position attributable solely to him, and as Director Emeritus was approved. from both institutions. It is a lifetime tribute and the highest honor bestowed by the organization, as a fitting recognition of his distinguished track record and contributions to the nation's financial system.

Since then, Mr. Alejandro has been in charge of Fundación Popular, Inc., a non-profit corporate entity that deals with the institutional scope of the Popular brand and its contributions to society, designing and executing economic sustainability policies and actions. , social and environmental, through the creation of shared value together with civil society organizations to comply, in a balanced way, with the expectations of development and well-being of the Dominican Republic.

In May 2015, during the launch ceremony of the Chair of Corporate Social Responsibility and Sustainability that bears his name, he received recognition from the rector of PUCMM, Reverend Father Dr. Ramón Alfredo de la Cruz Baldera, for his role as a citizen. exemplary, promoter of philanthropic works and social welfare, and model of ethical commitment that has inspired several generations of bankers and entrepreneurs in the country.

 

Alejandro E. Grullón E. - Discursos Escogidos