The Legends of Housing Presented by FortisBC

Jonathan Friesen is a leader in the real estate development industry with over 36 years of experience shaping communities. As the founder and CEO of Okanagan-based Mission Group, he has spearheaded the development of numerous progressive multi-family residential projects, building upon early career successes such as Vancouver’s 1000 Beach community and Kelowna’s Mission Shores with a prolific slate of single-family, townhome, low-rise, and mixed-use communities throughout the Lower Mainland and Okanagan valley.

Jonathan's recent notable achievements include Kelowna’s master-planned, transformative Bernard Block and Aqua Waterfront Village communities. Leading Mission Group with a Build It Forward mindset, Jonathan’s passion for community betterment is the cornerstone of his enduring legacy.

Michael Jacobs graduated in 1985 from the University of British Columbia with a Bachelor Degree in Civil Engineering. After 18 months with the Engineering Department of the City of Vancouver, he then completed his Master’s Degree in Construction Management from Stanford University. Michael Jacobs, P. Eng., currently serves as Chairman of The Board of the Emil Anderson Group. He joined Emil Anderson Construction in 1988 as Project Manager for Dilworth Mountain Estates, a 750-acre residential development in Kelowna, B.C.

In 1989 he founded Dilworth Quality Homes Inc, a residential building company in the EA Group. He was appointed General Manager of Land Development and Housing at EAC in 1996, promoted to Vice President in 1998 and President in 2004. He has extensive road building and heavy construction experience, and his project highlights include the Sliding Centre and Ski Jump venues in Whistler for the 2010 Winter Olympics, road and rail expansion at the Port of Prince Rupert, multiple highway projects in the Kicking Horse Canyon, over 2500 new homes in the Okanagan and many prestigious hillside developments.

listening to their requests and respecting their budgets, defining the Scope of Work together, relaying true costs, establishing documentation and processes to assist in communication and transparency, building a team of experts in their fields to work alongside him, answering all questions/concerns, and following up on their projects. 

He built a solid reputation in the community due to his honesty, integrity, quality workmanship, standards, and quality results. 

Gord is a Journeyman Carpenter who over years of building Gord Turner Renovations, has transitioned from being ‘on the tools’ and running all aspects of the business itself, to becoming a full-time businessman - mainly handling sales and management. He makes ongoing education and training not only a priority for his team but for himself as well, having demonstrated commitment to company growth by implementing the services of a certified business coach. 

Gord and his team support their community by assisting KSS Athletics, the Gospel Mission, Freedom’s Door, Coyotes Basketball, and the Okanagan Sun.