Congratulations to the Institute of Real Estate Management for 75 years of education, ethics and excellence. And congratulations to the Boston Metropolitan Chapter #4 of the Institute Of Real Estate Management on their 70th anniversary.
The New England Chapter #4 was founded on May 4, 1938, providing IREM services within its geographical region. The growth of the Chapter over the past seventy years has paralleled the expansion of the real estate industry and the property management profession in its region of influences.
Over the years, the chapter has nurtured and promoted the founding and forming of three chapters. These are:
Chapter #51 - serving the State of Connecticut
Chapter #88 - serving the State of Rhode Island
As a result of these newly formed Chapters, the Chapter identification was changed in 1977 to Boston Metropolitan Chapter #4.
The story of the Chapter's leaders began in 1934, when the Robert A. Nordblom Company became a member of the Institute. The president of the company was Robert C. Nordblom. At this time the Institute was only a year old and published volume 1 Issue #2 of the Journal of Real Estate Management. The Journal was the primary source for educating real estate management companies. The educational courses would not be in place for another two years.
In 1937 my grandfather (Robert Nordblom) was elected to the governing council and served on it until 1943.
In 1938 the New England Chapter was started in May. The first Chapter president was Robert Nordblom (certificate #12)and the first vice president was Harry Gilbert (certificate #15). These gentlemen were among the first class of Certified Property Managers to be inducted, including James Downs Jr., the author of the principles of Real Estate Management. The membership was changed to individual membership to focus the education towards the property managers. At this time the Journal Of Real Estate Management changed its name to the Journal of Certified Property Managers. In 1941 the journal's name was changed again to the Journal of Property Management. Bob served as president of the New England chapter and vice president of the New England Region through 1940.
In 1942 Robert Nordblom was elected the 7th president of the Institute of Real Estate Management. The region was very active participating on national committees including Carelton Hunneman, Amos Hewitt of New Haven Ct. Paul Morgan and John Caulkins of Hartford.
As a note of interest both Harold Niles and William Dolben became CPM's in 1942. I mention both these gentlemen because they or their family served as officers of the Chapter in the 1950's.
Douglas Gilbert Thayer's uncle, Howard Gilbert was elected President of the Chapter in 1953. In 1954 the year I was born Howard was elected regional vice president of the New England Region. The region not only included all of the New England states but Quebec Province as well.
Since that time there are many other members and management companies very committed to the Institute. Their participation in the education programs and events has been and is the strength of our region and the Institute across the world. Our Region has the best IREM Association Executives and without them we could not run the programs we offer.
On a personal note I am very honored to be president during our 70th year. This mean so much to me I cannot properly express my feelings.

Thank you to our chapter association executive, Kelley Hannon for all of your hard work.
Win Nordblom is the 2008 president of IREM, Boston, Mass.