Allen’s floral career began in his hometown of Archbold, Ohio in 1968 while attending his junior year of high school. After graduation he attended Michigan State University’s Floriculture program which included a work study internship at Mary Warning Flowers in Toledo, Ohio.
During his time at Mary Warning Flowers, his boss entered Allen in the local 1973 FTD Americas Cup competition. Allen stated; “ I did not want to compete in the competition so I created the most bizarre floral arrangement I could come up with”. The entry won and Allen went on to win the Ohio/Michigan regional competition resulting in being one of seventeen designers to compete in the National finals in Las Vegas. Allen, now twenty years old, placed seventh and was offered a job by the second place winner Morri Molho, AIFD from Newport Beach, CA. Two months later Allen was living and working in California. Morri introduced Allen to AIFD andencouraged him to attend symposium each year in Long Beach, CA. In 1977 Allen submitted his portfolio for membership and was inducted into AIFD the same year.
In 1978 Allen opened his business, Allen Beck Florist, and continued to be very involved in AIFD on the local and national level. In 1980 he was asked to serve on the Membership Committee and in 1983 he was elected to serve on the National Board of Directors. That same year Allen presented his work in a program called ‘Hot and Tropical’ during the National Symposium in Washington D. C.
In addition to being a National Board Member and on the Membership Committee, Allen served as a Trustee of the AIFD Foundation (1983-2008) serving as its CEO the last six years (2002-2008). In 1987 Allen was elected President of AIFD and in 1990 he chaired the National Symposium in Newport Beach, CA. In 1997 Allen received the Award of Distinguished Service to AIFD and became a Fellow of the Institute.
In 1984 Allen became to first winner of the AFS Great American Design Contest in San Antonio, TX. The following year Allen traveled the United States and Canada promoting the 1985 Great American Design Contest for AFS. This was followed by invitations to present and lecture in Great Britain, Thailand, and at many state and regional floral conventions.
In 2006 Allen retired after thirty years owning Allen Beck Florist. For the next ten years he enjoyed retirement while freelancing and continuing to provide concierge design services to a select group of his Newport Beach clients.
In 2016 Allen ended his floral career with a six month tour of Spain and Italy with his dog Cooper. On his return he settled in Palm Springs, California until December 2020 when he moved to Ajijic, Jalisco, Mexico. Ajijic sits at the edge of Lake Chapala, Mexico’s largest inland lake. At an elevation of 5200 feet, Lake Chapala boasts one of the best climates in the World. Allen now enjoys his passion for gardening with his husband Israel and their dog Benny.
Israel and I with Benny Christmas 2025
Hiking in Mountains above my home
My induction night in Long Beach, CA with Lee Burcher AIFD also a new inductee that night.
Visiting the Puerto Vallarta Botanical gardens.
