Alumnus Allen Porter '01 Pursues Passion for Business and Brewing
A 2001 Hammond graduate, Allen Porter attended Duke University studying pre-med and economics. After graduating in 2005, he received his MBA from Emory University and delved into commercial business development, specifically working with his father to develop senior housing communities all over the Southeast. Working in the healthcare realm, his entrepreneurial spirit and problem solving skills led him to pursue acquiring a new patent for a medical device as well - an operating room table that senses body mass and recalibrates so that the patient feels weightless. This stops pressure ulcers which is critical during long surgeries.
Allen is following another passion of craft beer brewing and has recently launched his first commercial brewery at Stats restaurant in downtown Atlanta with two additional breweries planned to open around Atlanta this spring, including Porter Pizza & Brewery.
"The truth is that's what I love to do most, and I didn't want to wake up at 50 and realize I had never done what I was passionate about. So many people have jobs they don't like and don't go after what they love. I wanted to at least try, so here I am."
"The truth is that's what I love to do most, and I didn't want to wake up at 50 and realize I had never done what I was passionate about. So many people have jobs they don't like and don't go after what they love. I wanted to at least try, so here I am."
Allen began his Hammond career in Middle School and quickly became involved with two very different teams- football and the math. Both taught him the value of teamwork, following your passion, and the joy of spending time with others who have shared interests. Allen remarked, "What meant most to me were friendships I built while I was there. Something about Hammond was able to motivate me to care about doing well."
