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Graham Downey

Graham Downey was born in Edmonton and, as a young boy, moved to the Okanogan with his family and completed his elementary education there. The family eventually returned to Edmonton where he finished his schooling. His first job was as an oil exploration surveyor in Alberta for three years and for two-and-a-half years on the Island of Sumatra in Indonesia.

On his return to Alberta, he decided to pursue a career in real estate (his Father was a realtor). He began work with Royal Realty (a small three-man firm) and found it hard work but enjoyable. He worked for the firm, which was located in southeast Edmonton and primarily handled residential transactions, for a year. He continued this work with another firm for about a year before moving into commercial real estate, which has remained his specialty. He worked for Melton Realty, one of the largest companies in the City, for a year. For the next 18 years, he worked for several firms including Royal Trust (founded by the owners of Royal Realty), taking on increasing responsibilities and, finally, serving as a regional manager.

Mr. Downey eventually moved to Weber Real Estate with an ownership interest but was there only for a short time. The downturn in the economy, beginning in 1981, partly because of the National Energy Policy, resulted in the Company's going into receivership. He lost his equity and had to begin again. He set up G. L. Downey Ltd and as Downey and Associates continues to operate a commercial real estate brokerage and appraisal business.

Mr. Downey has been involved for many in years in organized real estate and has served on many committees and as a table officer for key organizations such as the Edmonton Real Estate Board (now the REALTORS Association of Edmonton), the Alberta Real Estate Council, the Alberta Real Estate Association, the Alberta Real Estate Foundation, and the Canadian Real Estate Association. He has also been deeply involved in professional education for the past 30 years and was involved in the creation of the first training program. He has been involved in setting standards, ethical codes and governance through the Alberta Real Estate Council and other bodies.

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