People You Should Know: Jim Gann

Director of Technology Business Development,
Small Business and Technology Development Center
College of Engineering, University of Missouri
AGE: 47 | HOMETOWN: A lifelong Boonville resident

JOB DESCRIPTION: I counsel and teach established and nascent entrepreneurs on all aspects of business ownership. Within our center, we have a division of labor that allows me to work primarily with technology-based entities and serve a 14-county area of mid-Missouri. My clients are typically central Missouri businesses and university researchers seeking to commercialize technologies they have created.
EDUCATION: M.B.A. from William Woods University and B.S. from Central Missouri State University (now the University of Central Missouri). I am currently enrolled as a doctoral student at MU and studying higher education policy as it relates to technology transfer. With luck, I should complete my program in latter 2012 or early 2013.
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT: Member, Boonville Planning and Zoning Commission; past president, Boonville Rotary Club; Boone County National Bank; Boonville Advisory Board; reserve police officer (22 years); Cooper County Fire Protection District (20 years, six as president)
PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND: I owned and operated my own businesses prior to coming to the university five years ago. Along with a partner, I owned and operated Mid Missouri Printing for 18 years until we sold. I co-owned and developed Hail Ridge Golf Course in Boonville, as well as several other properties. In total, I’ve had 13 startups.
A FAVORITE RECENT PROJECT: Recently, I have been honored to be working as one member of a multidisciplinary team at MU that’s focused on improving relationship processes that can occur between the university and commercial worlds. As Missourians, we have an incredible asset in the university that has the ability to improve people’s lives in so many ways beyond teaching. Teaching is (and always should be) the primary mission of the university, but if we can find ways to leverage knowledge that resides on campus to improve Missouri businesses, it can be transforming to the business. I get excited on the subject because I have been involved in some university/industry relationships that have had incredibly positive results for both parties.
A COLUMBIA BUSINESSPERSON I ADMIRE AND WHY: In 1976 my dad, Jones, co-founded Columbia Ready Mix along with Billy Sapp, Elvin Sapp and Robert Sapp. Little did I know at the time, but at the age of 13, I was given a front-row seat to observe the trials and tribulations of a small business startup entering a highly competitive market. Entrepreneurship is incredibly difficult, and I can attest that it can be just as hard on the entrepreneur’s family. But during those years, I learned the values of customer service, commitment to employees, vendors and partners — all resulting in the benefits of hard work. I also witnessed the power of a complementary business partnership, one I would enjoy later as co-owner of Mid Missouri Printing with Chuck Harris. To date, the highest compliment I have ever been paid was to be compared to my dad as a manager.
WHY I’M PASSIONATE ABOUT MY JOB: I am so passionate about what I do because the people I work with (co-workers, entrepreneurs, researchers, etc.) make a difference in people’s lives. It takes special people to risk everything in the start of a new venture. It takes special people to commit their life’s work to solving particularly difficult problems in science or society. It takes special people to administer the works of this institution — often at great political peril. I’m honored to associate with these people and do whatever I can on a daily basis to bring these constituencies together for the betterment of Missourians.
IF I WEREN’T DOING THIS FOR A LIVING, I WOULD: Be doing the same thing but as a consultant directly paid by the business.
BIGGEST CAREER OBSTACLE I’VE OVERCOME AND HOW: As an “accidental academic” Extension faculty member at MU, the biggest obstacle I’m still working to overcome is that of academic credibility. Because I’ve had to work for a living, my graduate degrees will have been earned almost exclusively on work that occurred in the evenings, weekends and vacations from my day job; that’s been a total of five years thus far, and I still have some hurdles before I even begin my dissertation. In all, it has been fun and could only be accomplished with the love and support of my wife.
WHAT PEOPLE SHOULD KNOW ABOUT THIS PROFESSION: It can take a toll on your emotions. Entrepreneurship can be a rollercoaster ride of emotions from incredible highs to the lowest of lows for the person taking the risks. Because we are usually right there for our clients, that same ride (albeit softened) applies to us as well.
WHAT I DO FOR FUN: Many weekends, my family retires to a small acreage we have that is far enough off the beaten path to not have a cellular signal. While there, I spend time with them, mow grass, fish, have bonfires and work on mindless projects.
FAMILY: Wife: Marilyn Gann; daughters: Callie, 3, and Abby, 1. Yes, you read those ages correctly.
FAVORITE PLACE IN COLUMBIA: I really enjoy walking the campus. My maternal grandmother was an MU grad, and I often think about the history of the institution and the things that are the same today as they were when she walked the Quad here nearly 100 years ago.
ACCOMPLISHMENT I’M MOST PROUD OF: Becoming the husband of the former Marilyn Ann Dykstra 20 years ago.
MOST PEOPLE DON’T KNOW THAT I: Was a starting defensive tackle for the Kansas City Chiefs in the mid 1980s, was once a nominee for People Magazine’s “Sexiest Man Alive” and that I occasionally lie on questionnaires.