At just 21 years old, Gavin Milligan is already a familiar face across Berks County. Whether it’s through his role as business development manager for his family’s company, Advanced Comfort Specialist, or his volunteer service on over a dozen nonprofit boards and committees, Milligan’s commitment to his community is undeniable.
Raised in Maidencreek Township, Milligan grew up with a traditional vision of success: get a job, buy a house, settle down. But an internship at the Olivet Boys & Girls Club shifted his perspective. “That opened me to a world of nonprofits and philanthropy I hadn’t experienced before,” he recalls. “I realized there were things I always complained about that I actually had the power to influence.”
Instead of following the common path of moving away in search of opportunities, Milligan chose to dig deeper into his hometown. “There’s this idea that there’s nothing to do in Berks County, that you have to leave to succeed,” he says. “But that’s just not true. There are opportunities here—you just have to look for them and get involved.”
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A graduate of the Berks Career and Technology Center’s business management and entrepreneurship program, Milligan credits the school with giving him both practical skills and a platform to grow. Today, he serves as president of the BCTC Education Foundation, advocating for students who, like him, benefit from hands-on learning and career-focused education. “It’s not just a vo-tech school anymore. The perception has changed, and so have the opportunities,” he notes.
Milligan’s dedication to service is rooted in a desire to be proactive rather than reactive. From his work on local planning commissions to his involvement with organizations like the Olivet Boys & Girls Club, he focuses on strategic planning, modernization, and fostering engagement. “I don’t join boards just to fill a seat. I get involved where I believe I can help improve things,” he explains.
One of his biggest passions is improving communication between local government and residents. “People get frustrated when they feel left out of the loop,” he says. “It’s not enough to hold a meeting and expect everyone to show up. You need to meet people where they are, whether that’s through newsletters, social media, or community events.”
This commitment to transparency and community involvement has led Milligan to run for a seat on the Maidencreek Township Board of Supervisors. His goal is to bring a strategic, forward-thinking approach to local governance, focusing on practical issues like emergency services, infrastructure maintenance, and long-term planning. “Being intentional is key. It’s not about making changes for the sake of it, but about ensuring we’re setting ourselves up for success in the years ahead.”
Beyond local government, Milligan remains dedicated to strengthening the nonprofit sector and supporting initiatives that improve quality of life in Berks County. His work is often behind the scenes, but the impact is visible in the organizations he helps steer toward growth and sustainability.
As for what inspires him, Milligan is quick to point out that his motivation doesn’t come from a single person or event. “Honestly, I’ve learned just as much from seeing things done the wrong way as I have from seeing them done right,” he says. “Every time I see a challenge, my instinct is to ask, ‘How can I help fix this?’”
While his future remains open-ended, one thing is clear: Gavin Milligan is committed to building a better Berks County, one project, one meeting, and one connection at a time.
For those interested in getting more involved, Milligan encourages reaching out. “Whether it’s through Facebook, LinkedIn, or just showing up to a local meeting, there are so many ways to make a difference,” he says. “All it takes is that first step.”