Charles Gallagher may seem young to be the vice president of The Allen Group, a commercial real estate development and investment firm. But he has more experience than some professionals twice his age.

“I did my first real estate deal at 17, leasing space for my mother’s business,” says Gallagher, 28. “I wasn’t old enough to sign the documents, so my older sister had to do it.”

A political science major when he attended the University of San Francisco, Gallagher now heads Allen Development National, a subsidiary that invests across the country, as well as overseeing corporate marketing and government affairs. Gallagher has served on the California Goods Movement Strategy, the State Senate Transportation Committee, Global Gateways Summit, Governor’s Economic Summit and the National Association of Foreign Trade Zone.

He is proudest of securing a $5 million grant for roadways in Shafter, a community with the highest unemployment rate in the state. The roads enabled a 700-acre industrial park to be built, resulting in 1,000 new jobs. He also developed an internship program with the University of San Diego School of Real Estate/Business.

“I want to show young people they can be proud to work with a company that is profitable and, at the same time, is a community partner,” he says. Giving back is important to Gallagher, who is committed to fighting voter apathy among young people, working with the California Secretary of State Voter Advisory Board, San Diego Lincoln Club and the California Vote America Project. For his voter registration efforts, he was rewarded with a meeting with Mother Teresa.

“She was incredibly articulate, despite her age,” says Gallagher, who also donates his time to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. “As a Catholic, I take the obligation to contribute to society seriously. I believe that to whom much is given, much is expected. Life is a journey and I take my responsibility seriously.”

— Patricia Morris Buckley