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Stories Tagged - past presidents

Past president Jim Moore now spends his time as CEO and executive director of the Dream Centre. Photo by Michelle Hofer/For CREB®Now
News

Dec. 21, 2016 | Cailynn Klingbeil

55 Years of Calgary Real Estate: 1985 CREB® President Jim Moore

Current economic challenges harken back to past president's term

The early 1980s in Alberta were a memorable and challenging time for anyone who lived through them.

Characterized by a severe global recession, widespread housing foreclosures, bankruptcies and unemployment, by the time Jim Moore was president of the Calgary Real Estate Board in 1985, market conditions remained difficult but some changes were afoot.

Former CREB® president Jerry Roberts said the Winter Olympics in 1988 represented a turning point for Calgary and its real estate industry. Photo by Michelle Hofer/For CREB®Now
News

Dec. 21, 2016 | Cailynn Klingbeil

55 Years of Calgary Real Estate: 1988 CREB® President Jerry Roberts

1988 CREB® president Jerry Roberts recalls Winter Olympics arriving at the right time for Calgarians

Like many Calgarians, the first thing Jerry Roberts remembers about 1988 was the Winter Olympics.

The international sporting event transformed Calgary, as 1,423 athletes from 57 nations competed in 46 events over 16 days in February 1988.

But perhaps more importantly, it put Calgary, then a city of 675,000 and the first Canadian city to host a Winter Olympic Games, on the world map, said Roberts, who was president of CREB® that year.

Bob Jablonski, who coached baseball for 17 years, said his motivation to become CREB® president in 2012 stemmed from his desire to make a difference. Photo by Michelle Hofer/For CREB®Now
News

Nov. 19, 2016 | Cailynn Klingbeil

55 Years of Calgary Real Estate: 2012 CREB® President Bob Jablonski

Former CREB® president Bob Jablonski recalls 2012 as the year it started to turn around

Bob Jablonski doesn't have to look back too far to remember the last time Calgary's economy was booming.

During his year as CREB® president in 2012, the city was running at a full sprint due to good fortunes in the oil patch. Completion of the new West LRT, The Bow and Peace Bridge were just three of the many major initiatives that came to fruition in Calgary that year, noted Jablonski, who remembered, "the city was getting big and busy."

For many, particularly those in the real estate sector, the good news was overdue. Calgary's housing market had slumped since the 2008 financial crisis, not recovering at the same pace as other Canadian cities.

Kent Lyle said few were spared from the National Energy Program's impacts in 1981. Photo by Michelle Hofer/for CREB®Now
News

Nov. 19, 2016 | Cailynn Klingbeil

55 Years of Calgary Real Estate: 1981 CREB® President Kent Lyle

Former CREB® president Kent Lyle remembers impacts of National Energy Program like it was yesterday

It's perhaps the most contentious three words in Alberta's history: National Energy Program.

The early 1980s in the province are synonymous with the controversial federal initiative, which redistributed Alberta's oil wealth and, in turn, lead to a regional recession that few have since forgotten.

Bonnie Wegerich, who spent most of her real estate career working in Airdire, recalled 2009 being a challenging year for the Calgary and area's housing market. But she also remembered a sense of momenteum during her year as CREB®'s president. Photo by Michelle Hofer/for CREB®Now
News

Oct. 24, 2016 | Cailynn Klingbeil

55 Years of Calgary Real Estate: 2009 CREB® President Bonnie Wegerich

Former CREB® president Bonnie Wegerich remembered challenges, successes in 2009

Bonnie Wegerich can sum up her time as CREB®'s president in 2009 with one word: recovery.

After residential resale housing prices in Calgary reached record highs in 2007, an economic downturn the following year caused prices to drop and sales to halt – a spillover effect that went well into Wegerich's year at the helm.

"In January, we had more sales than in December, and we were very excited about that. That's where we went from. Every month was getting better than it was," remembered Wegerich, a longtime real estate professional who worked and lived in Airdrie.

Joyce Travis believes adaptability served her well as CREB® president in 2002, and is largely behind the longevity of her real estate career. Photo by Michelle Hofer/For CREB®Now
News

Oct. 24, 2016 | Cailynn Klingbeil

55 Years of Calgary Real Estate: 2002 CREB® President Joyce Travis

Former CREB® president Joyce Travis remembered moving beyond 9/11, adapting to circumstances

Four months after devastating terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001, left thousands dead in the U.S., the pain was still palatable – even as far as Calgary.

"Everybody was just shell shocked," said Travis, who, amid that atmosphere of uncertainty, took over as president of CREB®.

In Calgary, the attack led to hesitancy that was manifested, at least early on, by a sluggish housing market. Travis said consumers were reluctant to make major decisions, such as buying or selling a house.

CREB® past president Jim Ross has worked in High River for nearly four decades, noting the town continues to evolve alongside the regional housing market. Photo by Michelle Hofer/For CREB®Now
News

Oct. 24, 2016 | Cailynn Klingbeil

55 Years of Calgary Real Estate: 1996 CREB® President Jim Ross

CREB® past president Jim Ross labels digital revolution in 1996 as a game-changer

It was the cusp of the modern-day tech revolution, and Jim Ross had the best seat in the house.

"The Internet was quite new, and we were just coming to grips with the best way to head down that road," said the CREB® past president, who guided the local real estate industry in 1996 through increasing demand for digital alternatives. "At that time, we had no idea what the impact of the Internet would be, how universal it would become.

Chris Bolt, now retired and living in Victoria, recalled his road to becoming president of CREB® in 1999 started by a colleague's suggestion to give real estate "a try." Photo courtesy Chris Bolt
News

Oct. 08, 2016 | Cailynn Klingbeil

55 Years of Calgary Real Estate: 1999 CREB® President Chris Bolt

Chris Bolt recalls big changes during time as CREB® president in 1999

The year was 1999. Y2K fears gripped society, the price of oil started to rebound and construction on a controversial new building for CREB® finally got underway.

In other words, it was just another day for Chris Bolt, who, today, looks back at his presidency for the REALTOR® organization as one of his greatest career accomplishments.

But how the native of London ended up leading the province's largest real estate organization during a year of transition is even more interesting.

Marlene Swinton, who served as CREB®'s president in 2001, specialized in condos during much of her real estate career. Looking back, she recalled how the condo sector evolved from being a low-cost housing option to a popular lifestyle choice. Photo by Michelle Hofer/For CREB®Now
News

Sept. 29, 2016 | Cailynn Klingbeil

55 Years of Calgary Real Estate: 2001 CREB® President Marlene Swinton

Second career was a natural transition for 2001 CREB® president Marlene Swinton

After years of managing her late husband's architecture practice, Marlene Swinton was looking for a change.

"I wanted to do something different and my cousin said, 'why not real estate? You know buildings.' I thought it might be really interesting, so I took a course and I loved it," said Swinton, who went on to fulfill a 27-year-long career in the industry that included a term as CREB®'s president in 2001.

Former CREB® president Don Dickson said one of the biggest changes he's seen over the course of his real estate career is the number the different housing types now available. Photo by Michelle Hofer/for CREB®Now
News

Sept. 14, 2016 | Cailynn Klingbeil

55 Years of Calgary Real Estate: 2004 CREB® president Don Dickson

CREB® president was just one of many roles Don Dickson looks back on fondly

Don Dickson has held a variety of roles during his lengthy real estate career: Salesman, broker, business practices manager, and, in 2004, president of CREB®.

Through it all, his focus has remained the same.

"It's about helping members. That's been my number-one priority," Dickson said. "It's been a fabulous experience. You couldn't have a more fulfilling career. And I'm not done yet."

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