Gary Losey (CA-TH ’79) is adamant about having a well maintained house. As president of the Cal Theta House Corporation, Gary has prodded undergrad tenants to clean up after themselves, coordinated diverse repair projects and helped raise funds to pay for the needed improvements.
Even as an undergrad, Gary was committed to the welfare of Cal Theta. “I was rush chairman and treasurer, but especially enjoyed working around the house, such as the installation of new tile in the chapter room and entry, that Mark McMillin (then EA) and I did,” he said. Recognized as this year’s “Brother of the Year” for his accomplishments, Gary joined the House Corp. in 1982 and subsequently helped coordinate several key projects. “When Dick asked me to be president in 2009, I said that I wanted to be proactive in getting repairs done and other remodeling scheduled.”
He has certainly accomplished that goal. Under Gary’s direction, the House Corp. has completed repair-remodel projects totaling over $200,000, including all new double pane bedroom windows, exterior paint, remodeled pledge room, new emergency battery-back up lighting at all inside common areas, two large new chapter room double- pane back doors with electronic locks, new monitored addressable fire and smoke alarm systems. In addition, the old house bar room was converted into a newly- remolded four man bedroom. To help defray the costs, he developed the Honor Wall, with bros being able to purchase a plaque. In 2010, SAE National recognized the Cal Theta House Corporation as the year’s Best House Corp. “My current goal is to raise an additional $800,000 to completely remodel the house, including new out buildings,” he said.
Gary emphasized that getting the resident bros to assume responsibility for their living quarters has not always been easy. “I believe the majority of them have respected me and what we’re doing, but they know that I can be tough when it comes to getting the work done. I think it has helped that we have tried to keep all of the brothers informed of our goals (and their chores) via regular e-mail updates.”
Brother Losey balances a busy House Corp. schedule—which until recently meant almost daily visits to the house----with his day jobs. Upon graduation from SDSU in 1979, he founded Efficient Lighting Systems, a firm that installed energy efficient lighting in condos, apartments, and other buildings throughout southern California. “At the time, energy conservation that involved retrofitting of public area lighting was rather unique. The company grew substantially during the next several years.”
Based on his long-time interest in real estate investing and a gradual slowing in California building activity, in 2004 he shifted his priorities; becoming a Realtor with Prudential California Realty in San Diego. While still maintaining an interest in Efficient Lighting, today he is a multi-million dollar producing real estate agent, specializing in both residential and commercial properties.“I love what I’m doing,” he said.“I am able to use my background in lighting and construction, and help people find the right property — without the daily ‘joys’ of managing a small business.”
Losey added that he also is making an effort to spend more time with his family: wife Kim, an SDSU Alpha Phi; and sons Brandon, a Cal State San Marcos student; Jack, a Cal Theta pledge; and Daniel, a high school sophomore. “I do have a full plate with real estate sales and House Corp. activity, but we plan to do more traveling, as well as enjoy my hobbies of photography and skiing.”
No matter how busy he is, Gary will always have a major commitment to SAE, with a special fondness for bros of his era. Every few years, he and Brother McMillin host large reunion parties, often drawing more than 250 people. “The fraternity has been a huge part of my life,” he said. “I rushed Cal Theta, got a bid to join, and subsequently had a fantastic experience as a pledge and undergrad. There isn’t a day goes by that I don’t talk to a bro, or get an e-mail or text message from one.”
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