www.forwardjanesville.com | 23 What value do you think the Forward Janesville Ambassadors bring to the community? What do you like most or get most out of being an Ambassador? It’s been incredibly rewarding to be part of something that helps our city grow while building meaningful connections along the way. I’ve experienced: tremendous growth in my professional network; increased involvement in local business initiatives; a stronger sense of community; and a feeling of being a part of something much bigger. Just getting to know what is happening or coming to Janesville before it is announced is exciting. I also find value in going to ribbon cuttings to meet new business owners and make connections not only for work but my personal life, as well. What are some of the ways True North Title supports the growth of its local communities? We put community and customer service first. Alongside the owners and the incredible True North team, we’ve made it a priority to show up and get involved. That means joining outreach committees, supporting local fundraisers, advocating through legislative initiatives, partnering with local schools, and volunteering at and even planning community events. Whether it's financial donations, giving our time, or rolling up our sleeves to help organize something meaningful — our goal is to help elevate the community experience and make a lasting impact. We also look to elevate the customer and agent experience. We help to educate our local realtors on title by hosting bimonthly educational seminars and offering one-on-one title classes for anyone that is interested. What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever received? Life is short – always eat dessert! … Or, my dad has always told me, “Act like a duck.” You can be moving your legs like crazy to stay afloat, but be calm and cool on the surface. JOHN GACKSTETTER Director of Real Estate, ABC Supply Co., Inc. Forward Janesville Government Relations Council John Gackstetter joined our Government Relations Council in 2023 in part because he had seen the revitalization of Janesville’s downtown up close and personal – it’s right in his front yard. More recently, he has helped lead the GRC’s committee that is focused on the redevelopment of the former GM/JATCO site. He enjoys “the opportunity to help build a community for my family and friends to live, work and play in.” What value do you find in being a member of Forward Janesville’s Government Relations Council? The Government Relations Council is a group of individuals who represent the larger surrounding business community, so GRC is a wonderful way to be exposed to real topics, challenges and opportunities that present themselves within the Janesville community. And it allows for the input of both the individual and a local business perspective. There’s also a large education component, with a constant stream of subject matter experts presenting and informing the council on those topics. And at the end of the day, these meetings, presentations and events all afford a valuable networking opportunity. When looking at the GRC’s Policy Priority Areas, which of those do you choose to lean in and get more involved with, and why? I am the co-chair of the Centennial Park Committee (the GM/JATCO site), which I find to be an exciting and longterm opportunity for Janesville. My background and experience is in real estate and development, and particularly with large, blighted and contaminated sites. With its location and proximity to downtown, its capacity and infrastructure, and sheer size, there’s so many exciting opportunities for this site to serve the immediate community, the City, and even Rock County as a whole. If you could go anywhere in the world, where would it be and why? My wife, Holly, and I would take our boys – Graham (10) and Leon (4) – to Italy. We love Italy; the history, the food, the wine, the scenery, the culture, it is all so beautiful to us. I’ve had the opportunity to live and study architecture in Florence. Holly and I have had the opportunity to visit and tour, and now we want our boys to experience the same beautiful things!
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