10 Questions with Jason McGaughey
1. Where do you work? What’s the best part about your job?
I work at Villa Lighting Supply. People generally recognize the name and think of a residential store down on Manchester, but the Villa family sold the residential side of the business in 2002 and we’re now focused on commercial, retail and hospitality accounts nationally. My responsibility as one of the national account managers is to maintain these accounts internally, which includes working with architects, contractors and lighting manufacturers to help with product specification, manage stock levels in our warehouse and coordinate delivery to the job sites. I’m a lighting geek, so I love working in this industry, learning how the application of lighting can affect a person’s perception of a space, and keeping up with the latest technology, but I’d have to say my favorite part is working with people all over the country.
2. Where did you go to school?
I went to Ranken Technical College here in town for electrical systems design. I’ve always been the type of person that learns better by doing — I suppose you’ve heard the radio commercials, so I guess that makes me “Ranken material.” I was also drawn to the design and architectural industry. This field of study was a good mix of both, and I’d say it’s been a nice fit for what I do at Villa Lighting.
3. How long have you lived in St. Louis?
I’ve lived in St. Louis all my life –- grew up in South County and lived in South City up until a couple months ago when I bought a house back in the South County area.
4. How and when did you get involved with GenNext?
I guess it was about a year ago at this point. I was looking for something to get involved with, but didn’t really know where to look, or where to start looking. Amanda Armstrong, a friend and co-worker, said she volunteered for GenNext, and that it’s something she thought I’d enjoy. My first service project was at the Food Bank, and have made an effort to make it to one each month since.
5. What’s been your favorite GenNext activity or memory?
I would have to say the project at the JCC where we played board games with disabled children. I was at a table with Katie McGovern and two kids. There were so many charming and funny stories from that project, I’ll never forget it.
6. Why are volunteerism and philanthropy important to your generation?
I don’t feel that it is limited to just our generation, I think it’s important for all generations. But in terms of timing, I do believe that if you get started early in life, you may be more inclined to help and donate time and money later in life. I also think it helps us deal with hardships in our own lives, putting our problems in perspective with what others are dealing with. I also see the effect we have as volunteers during the service projects –- and it doesn’t take long to realize how much our two to four hours on any given weekend means to the people, agencies and shelters we serve. I am thankful and take note of the blessings I’ve received that have allowed me to become who I am today, and by giving back I hope that I can pass these blessings on to others who might not be as fortunate.
7. Where you would like to see GenNext in five years?
I would like to see GenNext expand. And by “expand” I mean in number of volunteers, number of service projects and number of places where we could serve –- such as possibly taking a group on a weekend trip to a place outside the city limits. And since GenNext is specific to the age group it targets as volunteers, I’d like to learn of another group similar to GenNext that we can “graduate” to, if you will, after we’ve outgrown the “young professional” label.
8. You have $20 to your name. How do you spend it?
Brats, burgers, cheese, Sweet Baby Ray’s barbeque sauce, buns, charcoal, and since I’m probably most of the way through my twenty, I’ll spend whatever else I have on cheap beer. I love a good barbeque, and there may be not better way to bring people together on a sunny afternoon. Bring out the radio and washer boxes and you’ll forget about the fact you’ve just spent every last dollar to your name.
9. Who was your childhood hero?
I’m a huge sports fan, and an even bigger hockey fan. I know most boys grow up idolizing a player because of what he does on the rink/court/field, but my hero growing up was a center from the Pittsburgh Penguins named Mario Lemieux for what he had to battle off the rink as well. He’s known as one of the greatest hockey players of all time, and while his stats speak to his greatness, you wouldn’t know by looking at the numbers that he played through treatments for Hodgkin’s disease and chronic back problems. Then later in his career when the team was losing games, money, and Mario to retirement, the organization owed him a bunch of money from his contract, and instead of taking his money and forcing the team into bankruptcy, he took majority ownership of the team as compensation and saved hockey in Pittsburgh by keeping the team there. Now they are the current Stanley Cup champions. I think it’s a great story, and I think it makes him a great role model.
10. What was the most memorable gift you ever received?
My uncle won at a silent auction for four tickets in the lower bowl to a Blues game and took my brother and me. But the special twist was during the first intermission we were escorted up to the radio box where Chris Kerber and Kelly Chase called the game and got to sit in next to them for the second and third periods. As a die-hard Blues fan it was a great experience. And not only were we next to those guys, but in the room right next to us was the Blues owner Dave Checketts, president John Davidson, and the best defenseman that ever donned the Blue Note on his chest –- Al MacInnis. It was a great night and unforgettable birthday gift.