The light of Don Alejandro E. Grullón went out yesterday and with him the Dominican Republic lost the pioneer of private banking, but is left with the legacy of a visionary and exemplary businessman who contributed to the development of the nation since different spheres.
The founder and first president of the Banco Popular Dominicana and the Popular Group died of cardio-respiratory arrest, after presenting with health problems.
An example of a good citizen has repercussions in the financial, educational, environmental and social solidarity areas, which would have deserved important recognitions, including Pope Juan Pablo Segundo.
President Luis Abinader defined as “a great visionary and ahead of his time; employer of proven social responsibility, always acting in accordance with the law and for the benefit of the national interest. My deepest condolences to his family and loved ones. “
Likewise, former President Leonel Fernández agreed that Don Alejandro Grullón was a visionary. “I mourn the death of Don Alejandro Grullón, a visionary businessman, esteemed friend and exemplary citizen. Having founded Banco Popular, a world-class financial brand, reveals to us the character and audacity of a man who will be registered with respect and admiration. ”
The Bishop of the Diocese of La Altagracia, Jesús Castro Marte, also expressed his deep sorrow for the death of Grullón Espaillat, whom he defined as an extraordinary man who I suppose to combine his business success with faith and solidarity, seeking the best interests in favor of the development of the Dominican Republic.
The death of the employer occurs at a time when there is a resurgence of coronavirus cases in the country, so the Grullón family determines that to respect the health protocols of prevention, no conventional funeral acts will be carried out, if not privately and in total family intimacy.
His life
Don Alejandro E. Grullón Espaillat was born in Santiago de los Caballeros on April 3, 1929, from the marriage of Manuel Grullón Rodríguez-Objío and Amantina Espaillat González.
From his marriage to Mrs. Dinorah Viñas Messina (deceased) he fathered Manuel Alejandro, Virginia María and Eduardo José Grullón Viñas; and with his current wife, Melba Segura Castillo, Alexandra María Grullón Segura.
In his biography it stands out that the banker was a descendant, on his mother’s side, of Tomás Bobadilla y Briones and Ignacio María González, who directed the destinies of the nation in a period of the 19th century.
While for “the line of his father, Manuel Grullón Rodríguez-Objío, he is dignifiedly represented by Máximo Grullón Salcedo, Prócer de la Restauración; the outstanding writer Virgilio Díaz Grullón and Arturo Grullón Julia, the first Dominican graduate surgeon to practice this specialty in the country and who also stood out for capturing on canvas and photography the human faces he studied scientifically, arriving to make beautiful pictorial works ”.
He studied high school at the Normal School “Ulises Francisco Espaillat”, in Santiago de los Caballeros; He began studying medicine at Bucknell University in Pennsylvania, and later moved to Syracuse University in New York, where he graduated with a degree in Business Administration and Forest Science.
His idea to form the Banco Popular arose as an agricultural entrepreneur.
His work began in the Dominican Republic in sawmills owned by his relatives, forming part, in the early 60s, of the Association for Incorporated Development, an organization that gave impetus to institutions such as the Pontifical Catholic University Mother and Teacher, the Banco Popular Dominican Republic, the Higher Institute of Agriculture (ISA) and the Center for Research and Improvement of Animal Production (CIMPA), among others.
It was in his time as an entrepreneur in the agricultural area when Don Alejandro noticed the need for better financial services for Dominican society and, in August 1963, obtained permission from the Monetary Board to the foundation of the Banco Popular Dominicana, an institution that opened its doors on January 2, 1964, being the first bank of Dominican private capital.
Under his direction multiple financial institutions will be created that, later, with the promulgation of the Monetary and Financial Law of 2002, have reunited under the figure of the Dominican Popular Bank, SA – Multiple Bank, as well as of Popular Group , SA, for the parent company.
Its contributions will also create international subsidiaries such as BPD Bank, which operated until 2013 under US law in New York, recognized by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), and the Popular Bank, which operates under the laws. of the Republic of Panama.
Entities that founded
Contributions were also made to the institutionalization of the national financial sector through the foundation of the Association of Commercial Banks (ABA) and prominent social welfare institutions such as the Dominican Development Foundation (FDD), to strengthen the institution. democratic like the Foundation Institutionality and Justice (Finjus) and of preservation and cultural projection like the Museum of The Altagracia.
At the time of his death, he chaired the Popular Foundation, Inc. and since 2014 she has been the Ad Vitam President and Councilor Emeritus of the Popular Group and the Popular Bank.
He was Governor of the Commission for Monitoring the Remodeling and Maintenance of the Basilica of the Cathedral of Our Lady of La Altagracia and President of the Sierra Plan. In addition, he was a member of the Cova de les Maravilles Board of Trustees Foundation, the Sur Futuro Foundation and the Presidential Advisory Council.
Recognitions
For his valuable contributions to Dominican society he was recognized with the “Order of Duarte, Sanchez and Mella”, in the rank of Commander, and with the “Heraldic Order of Christopher Columbus”, in the rank of Gran Cruz de Plata, both granted by the Presidency of the Republic.
Additionally, it received the “Order of San Gregorio Magno”, in the degree of Horseman of Great Cross, granted by His Holiness Juan Pablo II; an Honoris Causa Doctorate in Humanities from the Pontifical Catholic Mother and Teacher University (PUCMM), in 1997; and an Honoris Causa Doctorate in Administration Sciences, from the Central University of the East, in 2008.
On August 20, 2008 he received recognition for his successful and successful business career by the Chamber of Deputies of the Dominican Republic and in 2011 the Senate of the Republic also distinguished him for his contributions to the country through his business work. and social.
In May 2015, Grullón Espaillat received a tribute from the PUCMM for its dedication to the creation and consolidation of a company that has been the engine of great profits for the country, as well as for its role as an exemplary city, promoter of ‘philanthropic and social welfare works, and for their model of ethical commitment.
In June 2016, the National Council of Private Enterprise (CONEP) recognized the business trajectory and vision that Don Alejandro had.