Jim Gordon, longtime managing broker of Re/Max Ocean Pacific Realty, is retiring and relinquishing his duties to Marty Douglas, who will assume responsibilities for the Comox and Courtenay offices Dec. 1.
Gordon started his career selling real estate in Prince George. During his first year he involved himself with the Cariboo Real Estate board, and the B.C. Real Estate Association.
"That was basically to try and get representation for licensees, salespeople, on the board," said Gordon, a father of two boys and grandfather of three.
He worked 10 years at Block Bros. after moving his family to the Comox Valley in 1978. Among his associates was Bill Morrison, a top realtor in the Valley.
"Bill heard about the idea of the Re/Max concept and what it did for realtors, and how it created an opportunity for realtors to build their own careers with support and branding, and high remuneration but without a lot of holdback for the realtors," Gordon said.
Along with Morrison, and brothers Dave and Glen Procter, Gordon opened the Comox Re/Max office in 1987.
"We're actually the oldest Re/Max franchise on Vancouver Island," Gordon said, noting Re/Max stands for maximum benefit to the client and realtor. "When the client wins, in the long run everybody wins."
The company was up to 10 realtors after the first year, and about 16 after two years.
"We had 16 realtors in the top 20 in the Comox Valley at that time," he said. "It really gave us the nucleus of some good quality people to grow the company on."
The Courtenay office opened about 10 years ago. Along with expanding market imaging and providing better coverage to the Valley, the other motivation was to develop a first-year program to provide training for new realtors.
"Over the last 10 years the majority of our growth has come from getting brand new people into the business, and providing training and support," Gordon said. "The other goal was to get some younger people in the business so the company would be sustainable...It's a lot more fun with young realtors."
The company, he added, is always near the top of the market share.
"It shows up in the stats," said Gordon, whose motto over the years was underpromise, overdeliver.'
He and Dave Procter have developed a "tremendous partnership" over the years — one which will continue in another related company during Gordon's retirement.
Douglas became a licensed realtor in 1970. He has chaired the Vancouver Island Real Estate Board, the B.C. Real Estate Association, the Real Estate Council of B.C., and the Real Estate Errors and Omissions Insurance Corporation. He was recognized by the Chamber of Commerce as Citizen of the Year in 1992.
"I'm happy to be leaving it in good hands," Gordon said.
reporter@comoxvalleyrecord.com