Jordan Associates passes to new ownership
BY MARY LANCASTER

"New Year's crystalized it for me.

From left, Joe McLaughlin, Gloria Grimshaw and David Callahan

  It was inevitable. I'm thrilled,
              I'm delighted and I
          think they're thrilled."
                                          - Lucille Jordan
It seems once in a while fate has to dole out unsettling situations to shake up our routines and help us reexamine what matters most in life. And it does not hurt to have close friends and colleagues to offer support during such trying experiences.

This is what happened with Lucille Jordan, founder of Lucille Jordan Associates, Inc. real estate firm, when she learned last spring that she had an unusual tonsil cancer and took a long, hard look at how she wanted to spend her time. Ultimately, during a lengthy, arduous treatment and healing process, the latter of which will take many more months, Jordan changed her priorities from work, then her two grandchildren, then her health to her health first, her grandchildren and lastly, her career.

She has now turned over her successful venture to fellow brokers Gloria Grimshaw and David Callahan, and business expert and friend Joe McLaughlin, who formed a partnership.

"They are keeping my name. We talked about me staying in it, but I said nahhh," said Jordan, who opened her firm in 1994. "I have complete and total confidence that the three of them making decisions is better than me making the decisions. They proved themselves very able to me when I was sick. I've been grooming them for many years but the catalyst was me getting cancer.

"Though I'm free of cancer now I just don't have that drive anymore and my grandchildren will only be young for a certain amount of time," she added, naming Audrey, who is five and a-half and Vivian, aged 18 months. "When you get sick you have to realize what's important. I feel great and I'm really happy, but it's changed me. I used to be able to do a lot - I'm obsessively responsible. Could I have kept going and have them working for me? Yes, but I just didn't think it was fair. New Year's crystalized it for me. It was inevitable. I'm thrilled, I'm delighted and I think they're thrilled."

The partnership officially assumed the business last Thursday, and the trio, as well as Jordan, could not be more excited about the future. Jordan was in her glory last weekend at the start of an extended stay in California kicking off with a surprise 40th birthday celebration for her son, Ehren. Grimshaw and Callahan, both of whom have worked for Jordan since she started her business, and McLaughlin, whose involvement Jordan likened to the Goodhousekeeping seal of approval, enthusiastically explained what Jordan and the venture means to them. Foremost are the facts that the four have been close friends for many years and are all dedicated to giving to the community.

"It's an evolution," said Grimshaw, noting that Jordan will continue with the company as a broker and consultant. "It's a very exciting time. There is a very good, positive feel in the office amongst all the folks. It's all good. We've got a phenomenal team here and all that is going to continue in place. I don't think people will see much of a shift other than what Joe will bring in with his experience."

"She has been a mentor to all of us," McLaughlin, whose role will be marketing and organizational development, said of Jordan. "When Lucille was trying to decide what to do with her life she wanted to walk away and not worry about [the business]. I said, 'How can I help?' That's how it started."

"She just wanted to simplify her life - to take some stress out of her life," Callahan said of Jordan's decision. "She is going to grow in other ways instead of being so involved with the business. We want to take a great business and move it forward. We have a great image in the community and we want to integrate Lucille's legacy into our business model. We're thrilled. We've always worked here as a team."

Jordan, who has been in the island's real estate industry for 30 years, founded The Children's House pre-school in 1981. She is a trustee of the Atheneum, member of the Theatre Workshop board, a director of the Cape Cod and Islands Association of Realtors and was the first female member of the Nantucket Rotary Club.

Grimshaw has been a broker since 1982 and is a member of several real estate associations. She was instrumental in the MSPCA's capital campaign and on its council for four years. She was also a board member of A Safe Place for 10 years, serving as president for four years, and is currently the board secretary for Hospice of Nantucket.

Callahan began in real estate in 1971 and for 20 years has been a board member of many organizations including the Ethics and Grievance Committee of the Cape and Islands Association of Realtors.

McLaughlin was vice-president of Worldwide Marketing during his 30 years with the Polaroid Corporation. On the island he has served on the Finance Committee and Airport Commission as well as being vice-chairman of Nantucket Community Services for Landmark House. He was also on the board of the Nantucket Historical Association, a member of the town's Grant Review Committee, on the board of Nantucket Cottage Hospital, is a member of the Abatement Advisory Committee and is vice-president of Sherburne Commons.

Knowing her business is in capable hands, Jordan is already having fun with her new lifestyle.

"I'm planning on having a very magical 10 years with my grandchildren while I still primarily reside on Nantucket," Jordan concluded. "I don't need to be with them all the time, but when I come here that's my primary goal. I'm not retiring, I'm just

changing my status." I