When asked about his approach to business and how it makes him such an impact player in our industry, George Gorman observed that he likes to seek out win-win scenarios that benefit all parties involved. Almost as an afterthought, he added, “I get great comfort in giving back to those in need.”
Gorman can accurately be described as an industry lifer. While in college, he had the opportunity to attend a White House conference on business and technology. The technology aspect piqued his curiosity, so not long after graduating Farleigh Dickinson University, he secured a position with Panasonic. In early 1992, he began a lengthy and successful career with Ricoh Americas, where he is currently executive dealer business manager, serving dealers in the New York metropolitan area.
Described by Bill McLaughlin of Atlantic, Tomorrow’s Office (a client and friend) as a “fantastic rep and partner,” Gorman has earned his industry stripes and rightful status as a 2019 ENX Magazine Difference Maker. But the man will be inextricably linked to his role as a selfless humanitarian, long after he has made his final sales call.
Tragedy visited Gorman and the lives of his children repeatedly in the past 10 years. In 2009, Gorman’s daughter, Jillian, was diagnosed with a rare cancer of the blood and bone marrow, acute myeloid leukemia. Work and hospital visits consumed George Gorman’s life until 2013, when Jillian succumbed to the affliction. Less than two years later, Gorman’s son, Zachary, passed away.
Empathy in Action
Despite the personal devastation he has endured, Gorman created a silver lining for the families of other children who are experiencing life-threatening illnesses. He treasured the time he was able to spend with Jillian when she was hospitalized, but Gorman also realized many families in his shoes did not have the resources to remain bedside through their ordeals. Thus, The Jillian Fund was realized with the help of people like McLaughlin and other members of the industry.
The objective of the fund is to aid those without the financial wherewithal to pay bills, buy food or secure housing while a child is being treated at a hospital. Gorman’s belief was that families shouldn’t have to decide between going to work and spending precious time with a sick child. The fund has raised upwards of $2 million, which has helped in excess of 150 families survive financially in their time of need.
It is the teachings of Jillian that continue to drive Gorman. “Never take anything in life for granted,” he noted. “As my daughter always said, ‘Don’t live day by day, but live it hour by hour and minute by minute.’”
And as Gorman notes, “You don’t have to look too far to find things to appreciate and be grateful for.”
On the job, Gorman thrives through goal-setting, establishing and achieving objectives. The joy he derives from realizing the objectives truly motivates him in business. He’s been fortunate to have a large circle of friends and influencers who have shaped his career and life, from Joe Castranni (Sharp) and Ed McLaughlin (Canon) to Larry Weiss, president of Atlantic, Tomorrow’s Office, and Ricoh execs Vince Roma and Jim Coriddi. Gorman also credits good friend Bill McLaughlin with enabling The Jillian Fund to become so successful.
In his free time, Gorman likes dedicating his time to charities/missions and supporting those who affect others’ lives in a positive manner. That he was able to empathize with other families whose children found themselves in similar health plights, rather than being consumed by his own grief, truly makes Gorman not just a Difference Maker, but a truly unique man of our times.
