Paul RAMSEY

RAMSEY, LESAN, VANCE, ANDERSON, DUFTY, FULLERTON, BALL, BURMEISTER

Posted By: Sharon R Becker (email)
Date: 6/14/2010 at 01:46:58

PAUL RAMSEY

Paul RAMSEY says of his Grandmother RAMSEY, "Grandmother emigrated from Ireland, and when she landed in the U.S., they put a tag around her neck and sent her to Albia, Iowa, to live with some relatives. Those relatives were pharmacists and a state senator, therefore, the RAMSEY name was in good standing in the community."

Paul's father was a captain of a small ship in the Navy. The marriage didn't survive with Paul's father and mother divorcing when he was about five or six-years-old. At the time, in the 1920's, it was almost scandalous to be a divorced woman.

Paul's mother supported the family by seeking employment with Browncamp's Hardware Store in Des Moines, then, later with the Younker's Store. After school was out for the year, around the first of June, Paul came to Mount Ayr to spend the summer with his Aunt Jennie and Uncle George VANCE. His cousins, Helen (Mrs. Wayne ANDERSON) and Margaret (Mrs. Bernard DUFTY), were like sisters to Paul. This tradition of spending his summers with the VANCE family continued until Paul was around the age of 15 years.

For two years, during the Great Depression, Paul moved Mount Ayr where he attended school and resided with his grandparents, Clyde and Jessie (FULLERTON) LESAN. At the time, Clyde was a banker and sold real estate. Clyde, not wanting to close the bank when others were failing, often took money from his own pocket to cover withdrawals.

After the Depression, Paul and his mother moved back to Des Moines, residing in the Drake University area. After Paul's mother's remarriage, they resided in a more fashionable section of Des Moines.

Upon graduating from high school at the age of 17, Paul resumed his education at A.I.B. in Des Moines. He took an opportunity to go to Washington, D.C. where he was a runner between D.C. and New York City for the F.B.I. and attended classes part-time at George Washington University.

Relying upon his F.B.I. experience, Paul enlisted as a warrant officer with the naval intelligence during World War II. He went to California where he was with the signal corps and was trained at the university of California. Paul was sent to Camp Crowder, then was transferred to the 18th Engineers Battalion. Paul was with the 18th at Camp Blythe and in pontoon training when the war ended.

Paul enrolled at the University of Southern California, taking business courses and worked part-time for The Hollywood Citizen-News ad a circulation manager. He met Patrical BALL, a fellow student at USC and a native Californian. They married in 1949 and became the parents of twin sons in 1950.

Paul is considered to be one of the deans of Southern California real estate, successfully involved in the business for more than 50 years.

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RAMSEY-SHILLING COMPANY

Ramsey-Shilling has acquired immense market knowledge with respect to office leasing over the years. This knowledge is buttressed by ongoing city research that the firm conducts which covers the areas of Los Angeles, West Los Angeles, Hollywood, West Hollywood, North Hollywood, Universal City, Studio City, Burbank, Pasadena, Glendale, and the Santa Clarita Valley, California.

Paul RAMSEY and Lee SHILLING founded the Ramsey-Shilling Company in 1953 based upon an unwavering commitment to a few, very simple, core principles: superior market knowledge, the highest standards of professionalism, integrity and honesty in all dealings, community service, civic leadership and the notion that the client is the center of the universe.

The firm was a commercial success from the beginning, but perhaps, more importantly, Ramsey-Shilling soon emerged during Los Angeles' heady and dynamic growth years during the 50's, 60's and 70's as a model of what is possible when talented, hard-working, honest, dedicated professionals pursue a vision based on the belief that their own commercial success is inextricably tied to the success of the greater community. Ramsey-Shilling became synonymous with doing the right thing; in their personal lives, on behalf of their clients, and at the community and civic levels.

This legacy of professionalism, integrity and service remains the cornerstone of our Company today.

Today, Ramsey-Shilling is a strategically focused, highly successful boutique commercial real estate services firm with southern California offices in Toluca Lake, Valencia and Newport Beach with a presence felt as far away as Dubai and Vietnam.

Mr. RAMSEY obtained his undergraduate education at the American Institute of Business in Des Moines, Iowa and continued his post graduate studies at the University of Southern California School of Business. Prior to beginning his real estate career, Mr. RAMSEY served as a Sergeant in the United States Army in World War II, attended George Washington University in Washington D.C. while working as an agent/trainee for the Federal Bureau of Investigation and later was a Circulation Manager for the Hollywood Citizen-News while attending USC.

An active and highly regarded Los Angeles Real Estate Broker for over fifty years, Mr. RAMSEY is widely considered one of the deans of Southern California real estate. He has successfully completed several million square feet of retail, office and industrial property transactions in Hollywood and the San Fernando Valley. He has also actively developed commercial retail and industrial properties since 1970 in Los Angeles, Newport Beach, and the state of Iowa. He currently controls a portfolio consisting of a broad range of property including office, retail, restaurants, private clubs, hotels and special purpose entertainment facilities including sound stage studios for film and television in Hollywood. Mr. RAMSEY currently serves as Chairman. He also is Chairman of the Ramsey-Shilling Commercial Real Estate Services based in Los Angeles and Newport Beach, California. He serves on the board of directors for the Iowa Barn Foundation and on the Farm Conservancy Committee. He was a founding director of the Bank of Hollywood. Mr. RAMSEY is the principal owner and President of the Newport Beach Yacht Club and the Toluca Lake Tennis Club of Hollywood which he founded in 1974, and was one of the original owners of the Iowa Barnstormers arena football team when Kurt WARNER played for them.

Mr. RAMSEY was a Founding Director of the Bank of Hollywood and maintains numerous civic and business affiliations including:

National, California, Los Angeles, San Fernando Valley Realty Boards
Hollywood Chamber of Commerce
Newport Beach Yacht Club, principal owner and President
The Toluca Lake Tennis Club of Hollywood, principal and owner since 1974

Mr. RAMSEY is a licensed Real Estate Broker in the State of California, and resides in Newport Beach with his wife Patricia. They have twin sons. Patrick, an attorney and partner of the law firm of Paul Hastings Janofsky and Walker, lives with his wife, Elizabeth and sons, Kyle and Spencer, in Pacific Palisades, California. Michael "Paul" II, a prominent Los Angeles Architect, lives with his wife, Susan, and daughter Camille in Hollywood, California.

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Market to Market, IPTV, October 22, 2004

Iowa Native Restores Ancestral Farm For Others to Enjoy

Drawing on his memories of a bucolic childhood spent on an Iowa farm, Paul RAMSEY is sharing a slice of rural life with some urban youth. As a young boy, Paul spent his summers on his Aunt Jennie and Uncle George's farm nestled among the rolling hills of southern Iowa.

Paul RAMSEY of RAMSEY Farm Foundation, said "I was born in Des Moines many years ago and I spent my summers here from the time I was about five or six-years-old to probably twelve or fifteen. It was a great part of my life."

Today, RAMSEY lives in Newport Beach, California, where he has been a successful real estate developer for over 50 years. But, he's never forgotten his Iowa roots, especially those days in the 1930's when he worked and played on his relative's farm near Mount Ayr, Iowa.

"I really enjoyed the years I was here and I love this community. I don't know why I'm getting emotional. I can't help it," Paul explained. RAMSEY'S strong ties to his ancestral farm influenced him to establish the RAMSEY Farm Foundation. In 2001, he, along with members of the community, created the non-profit organization to rebuild the farm and the tiny town of Lesanville, which had disappeared from the map. Their efforts have led to a working 1930's farm and tourist attraction that includes a bed-and-breakfast. But more importantly, RAMSEY says the foundation is a way for him to share with others his fond experiences of farm life.

In September [2004], young men from the YMCA in Des Moines made a trip to the farm. While all have grown up in Iowa, a state synonymous with farm country, most of the boys never have set foot on rural ground. They spent the weekend riding horses, learning about farm life and enjoying old-fashioned farm meals. The foundation members want young people from cities across the country to visit RAMSEY Farm every year. They say the farm also will be open to local schools and organizations for educational day tours and activities. But, RAMSEY admits, it's especially exciting to see the reaction of those who never have been out of the city.

Along with a $100,000 grant from the state-appropriated Vision Iowa fund, RAMSEY has donated nearly $400,000 to the effort. And, all profits from crop and livestock sales and tour rentals on RAMSEY Farm will be donated to Mount Ayr Community Schools. To compliment the farm, he is working to revitalize the town square of Mount Ayr, with the same 1930's theme. He remembers the days of the "mom and pop" stores and Saturday night socials. He wants downtown Mount Ayr to reflect these bygone traditions.

Ask any resident about Paul RAMSEY and he or she will talk about how he has brought new pride and excitement to the community.

Former superintendent of Mount Ayr Community Schools, Philip BURMEISTER is currently president of the RAMSEY Farm Foundation, said, "Paul told me about this idea of recreating Lesanville and I was really intrigued with the idea. I sort of fell into his trap. I think he had it all planned." But, with his usual modesty, RAMSEY is quick to point out that many others deserve credit as well. He says the Mount Ayr community has embraced his vision and that numerous people have donated their money, time, and hard work to the cause.

"It's America like we knew it. Tom BROKAW says that we were the greatest generation. I don't know if that's true, but I think the younger generations need to know how it was like," Paul said.

SOURCES:
FETTY, Jack. Rings of Gold Pp. 104-111. Palindrome Pub. Co. Iowa. 2007.
www.ramsey-shilling.com
"Market to Market" IPTV, October 22, 2004

Transcription by Sharon R. Becker, June of 2010

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