With more than 25 years in title insurance and commercial real estate, Gilligan leads Stewart Title Guaranty Company’s mid-Atlantic commercial division as vice president and division manager, overseeing operations and sales across the Baltimore and Washington, D.C., markets — a region generating roughly $4.5 billion in annual commercial transactional volume.

His career has included leadership roles at Craftsman Developers, Commercial Settlement Services, Brinker Capital and MBNA America. He serves on the boards of the Greater Baltimore Committee, Living Classrooms Foundation and the Downtown Partnership of Baltimore.

What is the biggest challenge facing your industry today?

The biggest challenge facing commercial real estate right now is navigating a market that remains uneven. Some sectors continue to perform well, while others are still adjusting to higher interest rates, capital constraints and shifting valuations. That has made many deals more complicated and more difficult to get across the finish line. At the same time, strong assets in sectors like industrial and energy continue to attract interest, so the opportunity is still there. The challenge is helping clients navigate the complexity and identify where the market is still moving.

What is the best advice you’ve ever received?

Build your reputation before you need it. In this business, trust and credibility are everything. If you consistently do what you say you will do, treat people fairly and deliver at a high level, opportunities will follow.

How do you define success?

Success means delivering results, earning the confidence of your clients and colleagues, and building relationships that last over time. It also means using your position and experience to support your community and help others succeed.