Welcome to Gorman :: News & Awards

Born and raised: Born in La Crosse, grew up outside of Mazomanie and Black Earth.

Family: Two daughters, Jordan and Emma.

Occupation: Wisconsin Market President for Gorman & Company.

What does your company do?

We build affordable housing communities, primarily for the urban work force, urban seniors and active adults. We also build condominium communities and subdivisions in Dane County.

Volunteer work: I've been president of Porchlight for three years, on the board for about eight, and recently joined the boards of the Tenant Resource Center in Madison and West End Development Corporation in Milwaukee.

What are the special rewards in helping low-income people get housing?

Housing is such a fundamental base for providing stability for households with limited incomes. In good housing people are healthier, kids do better in school, people build wealth and take more ownership over their lives. We see it every day, and it's not just with owner-occupied housing. Strong rental developments can have very tight communities.

I think the best testament to our success at Avalon Madison Village adjacent to the Allied Drive Neighborhood is the power of the folks living there and the community they're building. They decorate for holidays, recently held a Mother's Day card and flower event for the kids, and are working to establish a girl scout troop. That's great stuff.

Why the interest in housing and the homeless?

Again, quality housing is so vital to maintaining a strong community. I've been very lucky and know it's my responsibility to help lend some of my time and skills to help these important groups do what they do. It's a privilege to work with such talented and committed boards and staffs. At Porchlight I've learned there's often a thin line that makes a difference with people - one job loss, one divorce, one abusive relationship, one drug or alcohol event - that can trigger homelessness. There's really no "them" - them is us. It's a sobering revelation.

Are these big problems in our community?

They are, and unfortunately we too often respond with apathy. Ignoring the problems won't make them go away. Building good housing isn't attracting the masses from elsewhere - these folks are and have been our neighbors. We need to be much more results-oriented, with great focus. In our community, Porchlight and the Tenant Resource Center provide valuable links and services to make sure people are bridging gaps they lack through immediate financial resources, education and mediation.

Hobbies: I'm trying to get better at digital photography. I also like to cook and appreciate good red wines.

Favorite Madison place: I really get pumped when I make the turn on John Nolen Drive headed downtown and see the Downtown. It still takes my breath away.

What I'd change about Madison: A larger call to action, more focus on results. We have a unique opportunity when activists, city leaders, environmentalists, state government and business all have similar goals. We're on the same page. We need to focus less on our differences and more on agreement. We need to get beyond our culture of rhetoric and address the challenges of a growing city while preserving the beauty and assets of our community.