Professional Profile: John Downing - 1980

Name: John Downing - 1980

Title: President

Company: Company: Downing Agency

Location: Kennebunk, Maine

John D. Downing, 45, is a Realtor, developer and insurer and is president of the Downing Agency in Kennebunk. In addition, he is treasurer of the Southern Maine Industrial Development Corp., treasurer of New England North Properties and trustee of Fernalds Hill Realty Trust. The man of many hats says, “I’m a general practicioner of real estate. Kennebunk is not like New York or Boston where you have to be a specialist.” License in Maine, New Hampshire and Massachusetts, Downing has five residential offices throughout Southern Maine. He also has one commercial and personally specializes in developing, condominium work and commercial business. “I’m now chasing financing more than anything, however,” he says. “That’s true of everybody in the business now. I spend half my time selling, maybe less, and the rest of the time getting financing.” A graduate of Kennebunk High School (1954) and Nasson College (1959), Dowing opened up his own office the day after graduating for college at the age of 22. “The business has been in my bones from the start. I got interested in real estate about half way through college and have been slugging away in the business ever since,” he said. “I’ve been very fortunate. I opened a business in a small Maine town where I knew a lot of people and they supported me.” His family has been in Kennebunk for 200 years. That was when “Kennebunk wasn’t Kennebunk and Main wasn’t Maine, it was Massachusetts.” Downing was given the Outstanding Young Men of America Award in 1967, and it’s easy to see why. He has developed many residential area in the York County Area of Maine including River Dale, Pinecrest, Coxhall Settlement, Beacon Corner Acres, Highland Acres and Key Estate, to name a few, as well as developing the Port View Condominiums. He is presently developing the Flintlock Village Condominiums in Wells. Downing is a director and past-president (1976) of the York County Board of Realtors and is a member of the Maine State Board and National Association of Realtors. He is a member and past president (1976-77) of the Kennebunkport Chamber of Commerce. He is also a corporate member of the Kennebunk Savings Bank. He is a trustee and chairman of the Professional Committee of the Osteopathic Hospital of Maine and has been a trustee for six years at Nasson College. He is a member of York Lodge #22, Murray Chapter #33, director of the York County Shrine Club and member of the South Congregational Church. Marries in 1959 to the former Nancy Freeman, Downing has two children – Susan Virginia, age 17, and Samuel Freeman, age 15. In his spare time, he scuba dives, sails and engages in all sports. As a member of the Renegades, he drives in the shrine parades in a funny car and also likes to travel. In fact, he used to own two travel agencies. This summer he will be white water rafting in the Kennebec River.