Name: Jason Gavan

Title and company/organization: Agent, House of Brokers Commercial Realty

Age: 42

Job description: I provide buyers, sellers, owners and tenants with the solutions to achieve their commercial real estate goals.

Years lived in Columbia/mid-Missouri: Four

Original hometown: Piedmont, Missouri

Education: B.A. in history/political science, Culver-Stockton College; J.D., University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Law

Community involvement: I’m active in the Columbia Chamber of Commerce and Columbia Board of Realtors. I’m also a REDI member and supporter of Great Circle.

Professional background: Prior to my career in commercial real estate, I served in the Marine Corps Infantry, was an associate dean of admissions at VMU School of Law in Lithuania, worked as a catastrophe insurance claims adjuster for residential and commercial real estate and practiced law.

A favorite recent project: I’m currently in the middle of locating space for a recreational climbing facility in Columbia. It’s challenging to find this type of specific use property but really great to work with people combining their passion with business that can teach others a positive lifelong activity such as climbing.

A Columbia businessperson I admire and why: Although I’ve only chatted with him briefly, it’s Bill Turpin, who is president and CEO of the Missouri Innovation Center. I admire that Bill is a Missouri boy who grew up to play a key role in development of the Internet in the ’90s and also races sailboats for fun. Or maybe I’m just jealous.

Why I’m passionate about my job: I’ve traveled in 14 nations and seen firsthand the effects that a lack of business opportunity has on societies. Few Americans realize how unusual it is to live in the U.S., where it is legal and relatively easy for people to open and operate a business without paying bribes to government officials or extortionary gangs. Providing businesses and investors with the real estate solutions for their operations in Columbia is a fulfilling way to play a role in this land of opportunity.

If I weren’t doing this for a living, I would: Do just about any career available that would allow me to live in Pagosa Springs, Colorado.

What people should know about this profession: Commercial real estate has very little in common with residential real estate.

What I do for fun: Outdoor recreation. I love to be out hiking, biking, camping, hunting and exploring North America. When I can’t do this, my backyard works for a few minutes of peace.

Family: My wife, Vamsi, is a pulmonologist at MU Health Care. Our daughter, Mira, is 14 months old.

Favorite place in Columbia: MKT Trail system

Accomplishment I’m most proud of: Passing the Texas Bar Exam

Most people don’t know that I: Was the voice for an English language educational series for Lithuanians to learn common English.