Sir Allen Stanford

From her pulpit at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, Mari Carmen Ramirez is preaching her gospel about the richness and importance of Latin American art. Stanford understands - and wants to make sure the world is listening.

SPREADING THE PASIÓN

For more than three-quarters of a century, the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, has been on track to be an international leader in Latin American art. Since 1927, the museum has hosted 34 exhibitions of work from various Latin American artists.

Thomas Glassford, American, born 1963
Nine Slat Mirror, 2001
Plexiglas mirror and anodized aluminum
The Diane and Bruce Halle Collection © Thomas Glassford

As if that head start wasn’t enough, the institution built on its momentum and commitment to become the home of the International Center for the Arts of the Americas in 2001, endeavoring to acquire the most significant collection of Latin American art in the United States. The museum hired Mari Carmen Ramirez as curator of its Latin American Collection. And out of the gate, Ramirez took to the task with the zeal of an evangelist.

The religious metaphor is nothing new to Ramirez, who’s been called an “evangelist for modern art” by Time magazine. In a 2005 article touting the 25 most influential Hispanics, Ramirez told the magazine her mission was “to let the world know the richness and significance of Latin American and Latino art of the 20th century.”

The people of Stanford Financial Group share Ramirez’s passion for Latin American art. Stanford Financial Group is a longtime supporter of the museum, but over the last few years has become more and more of a partner in the goal to position MFAH as the last word on the work of artists like Antonio Berni, Carlos Cruz-Diez, Leon Ferrari and Gego.

The latest fruit of this partnership was Constructing a Poetic Universe: The Diane and Bruce Halle Collection of Latin American Art. Stanford Financial Group is a corporate sponsor of the exhibit which opened in March of 2007 and runs through June of 2008.

Latin America is a key market for Stanford Financial Group. As a company whose North American headquarters is in Houston with a significant number of Hispanic employees, the firm sees the importance of showcasing this part of Stanford Financial Group’s culture to the Houston community. But more importantly, Stanford intuitively understands the message Ramirez and the museum are preaching to the world.

Stanford Financial Group’s support allowed the museum to do everything it wanted to do with the exhibit: shipping, education, lectures, promotion — even flying six of the artists in to Houston to oversee installation.

“There are very few people that have gotten what we’re trying to do with this exhibition and with all the Latin American exhibitions,” said Amy Purvis, senior development officer for the MFAH. “Stanford gets it. It’s important on a global scale.”

Stanford Financial Group is proud to support Constructing a Poetic Universe – and to partner with MFAH in its quest to spread the news about the richness and depth of the universe of Latin American works of art.

“While originating in local sources and concerns this art is as global and universal as it gets.”
Mari Carmen Ramirez, director of the International Center for the Arts of the Americas

The small town of Mexia in central Texas may sound like the middle of nowhere today, but in 1932, in the midst of the Great Depression, it probably seemed as unlikely a place to start a business as any place on the planet.

Unless, like Lodis Stanford, you had a dream — and the backbone to see it become reality. He founded Stanford Insurance Company, persevering in a time of near insurmountable hardship, and found success by staying focused on a set of guiding principles — build a business step by step, on a firm foundation of hard work, clear vision and value for the client.

Stanford forged ahead with a clear vision and dedication that would become the hallmarks of the companies that bear his name today. His steadfast determination allowed him to provide his clients with the highest possible level of service and integrity.

As a result, the company not only survived, but prospered, growing step by step from that first firm foundation into a privately held, wholly owned global network of financial services companies ranging from brokerage and investment advisory to international banking and real estate development. Today, Stanford Financial Group employs thousands of professionals throughout the United States, Latin America, the Caribbean and Europe serving clients in 136 countries.

Supported by a core group of legal, accounting, finance and human resource talent, plus a full-service marketing and communications division, the professionals who represent Stanford are known to be among the most outstanding in their respective areas of expertise — with proven capabilities, knowledge and experience. Each employee wears an eagle shield, which stands for integrity, determination and financial strength — qualities synonymous with the men and women of the Stanford Financial Group of companies.

When Stanford was founded 75 years ago, the word service had real meaning. At the Stanford companies of today, it still does. We build client relationships to last for generations.

“No matter how technological our world becomes, we firmly believe that nothing can replace the human touch in building and maintaining the client relationship.”
Sir Allen Stanford
Chairman and CEO

Sir Allen Stanford is the chairman, CEO and sole shareholder of Stanford Financial Group, a global network of wealth management companies serving private investors, institutions and emerging-growth companies. A fifth-generation Texan, Sir Allen Stanford is committed to giving back to the communities where Stanford does business - throughout North America, Latin America, Europe and the Caribbean.

“It makes me extremely proud, that although we have grown into a multibillion-dollar, multi-jurisdictional, technology-driven organization, the heart of Stanford is more prevalent today than ever.”

–Sir Allen Stanford

Sir Allen Stanford: Creating Change Through Action

Sir Allen Stanford and the Stanford Financial Group of companies have made it a priority to give back and to support various philanthropic endeavors in communities throughout the world. Whether it¹s supporting Latin American art at the Museum of Fine Arts in Houston, funding a disaster relief effort in Grenada, or title sponsorship of the PGA TOUR’s Stanford St. Jude Championship, Sir Allen Stanford understands the power in community investment. He is committed to bringing about positive change in order to strengthen communities. Through his personal philanthropic commitments and those of the Stanford Financial Group, hundreds of nonprofit organizations receive support to help achieve their mission.

In Antigua alone, Sir Allen Stanford has effected great change. More than 1500 Antiguans benefit from ongoing employment provided by his companies as well as a management structure that provides them with the training and tools they need. His concern for education extends to the general public as shown by his contribution of over $1.2 million to the construction of a modern public library and a gift of $25 million to the Secondary School of Excellence for the youth. He is also a supporter of the Empowerment for Ownership program which provides low-interest loans to small business entrepreneurs in Antigua and Barbuda, and he contributes to philanthropic ventures including those that provide assistance to families in need and those that assist the elderly.

Sir Allen Stanford: Creating Change Through Leadership

Sir Allen Stanford is an active supporter and contributor to organizations that address the economic and disaster relief needs across the Caribbean and Latin America like the Pan American Development Foundation (PADF) and the Inter-American Economic Council (IAEC). He is also a member of Caribbean Latin American Action (CLAA), which promotes private-sector-led economic development.

Sir Allen Stanford¹s efforts have been rewarded with an appointment as Knight Commander of the Most Distinguished Order of the Nation (Antigua and Barbuda) and the IAEC’s “Excellence in Leadership Award” at the Organization of American States headquarters in Washington, D.C. in 2006.