John Gasa

After 37 years at Baird & Warner, John Gasa, a former managing broker and the company’s first fair housing officer, announced his retirement from the Oak Park office last month, according to a written statement from the company.

“John helped open my eyes to the fact that our diverse Chicagoland market unfortunately didn’t hold its doors open to everyone,” said John Matthews, managing broker of the Oak Park/River Forest office.

When Baird & Warner became a fair housing ally in 1997, Gasa became the company’s first fair housing officer.

“John has been a moral compass for the entire company for many years — so much so that I often found myself asking ‘what would John Gasa do’,” said Steve Baird, president and CEO of Baird & Warner. “He changed the way we do business, and I am eternally grateful to him.”

Gasa will place his license with the Baird & Warner Referral Associates Network (RAN) in order to make referrals with clients.

“Baird & Warner is the best company I could have ever hoped to work for, helping me develop my career while doing what I love,” Gasa said. “We are always on the cutting edge, leading the industry with honesty and integrity. I have enjoyed my time here immensely.”