J. P. “Gus” Godsey
Named the “Happiest Man in America”
by USA Weekend Magazine

USA Weekend Magazine named J.P. “Gus” Godsey the “happiest man in America” on March 7. 2003. Martin E.P. Seligman, Ph.D., author of Authentic Happiness: Using the New Positive Psychology to Realize Your Potential for Lasting Fulfillment and nationally-recognized happiness expert worked with USA Weekend to identify J.P. as the happiest person. J.P. underwent a number of tests that measured his current level of happiness, satisfaction with his family life, work life, level of optimism and a host of other characteristics that reveal happiness. J.P. scored in the top percentile of 70,000 Americans who have taken this series of tests.

J. P. Godsey is currently a Vice President of Investments with Ferris, Baker Watts, Incorporated. His client focus is helping retirees (and those within 10 years of retiring) in making appropriate financial plans to insure their “Golden Years” are golden. J. P. graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management and Economics from West Virginia Wesleyan College. He is a Certified Senior Advisor in Investments, and is a Graduate Assistant in Dale Carnegie training. He has been a licensed securities broker and financial advisor for over 20 years. He also serves on his college alumni board, West Virginia Wesleyan College, and on his international fraternity board, Theta Chi. He serves as the President of Earning by Learning, is a founding member of the Richard Hassell Foundation, is a member of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, and is a Human Rights Commissioner for the City of Virginia Beach.

J. P. is involved in many community organizations including the Thanksgiving and Holiday Food and Toy Drives he started 15 years ago. He received the 2000 Human Rights Award from the City of Virginia Beach, and is the past Chairman of the Republican Party of Virginia Beach. J. P. serves on the Beach Events Steering Committee and is an active member of the Wolfsnare Civic League. He is also a Director of the Mills Brothers International Society and coordinates the annual Mills Brothers benefit concerts benefitting various foundtions in Virginia Beach. J. P. is a Director of the Irving “Blueprint” Parker Leadership Foundation, and raises money for various political candidates and for the Joy Fund Thanksgiving Football Bowl that provides funds for under privileged children in the Hampton Roads area. J. P. was also chosen as one of America’s Outstanding Young Men for several consecutive years in the 1980s.

In J. P.’s spare time, he enjoys going to the beach, music (especially the Mills Brothers), sports, cooking, and watching his half brother, Jason Godsey, who holds a national ranking in extreme fighting.

Please see his more extensive biography for additional information.

J. P. “GUS” GODSEY

Education
Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Management and Economics,
West Virginia Wesleyan College, 1979


Political Affiliations

  • Delegate, Republican National Convention, 2004;
  • Co-Manager, Villanueva for City Council (Mr. Villanueva is the first Filipino elected to
    an office in the state of Virginia), 2002;
  • Steering Committee Member, Maddox for City Council, 2002;
  • Nominator, Speech for Lt. Governor John Hager, Republican State Convention in
    Richmond, Virginia, 2001;
  • Delegate, Republican National Convention, 2000;
  • Member, Virginia Beach Republican City Committee, 1991-Present;
  • Chairman, Virginia Beach Republican City Committee, 1996-1999;
  • Chairman, Hampton Roads Republican Alliance and Five City Festival, 1996-1999;
  • 2nd District Republican Convention Chairman, Virginia Beach, Virginia, 1994;
  • Finance Chairman, Virginia Beach Republican City Committee, 1993-1999;
  • Finance Chairman, Chapman for Congress, Virginia Beach, Virginia, 1992 and 1994;
  • 83rd Legislative Coordinator, Virginia Beach Republican City Committee, 1991-1993;
  • Delegate to all the Republican 2nd District and State Conventions, Virginia Beach,
    Virginia, 1992-Present;
  • Volunteer, Steering Committee and Finance Chairman for numerous Delegate/Senate
    races in Virginia Beach and Norfolk, Virginia, 1985-Present;
  • Co-Manager, Hinkle for Congress, 2nd District of West Virginia, 1982.

Community Service

  • Board Member, Juvenile Research Foundation - Hampton Roads Chapter, 2004-Present;
  • Commissioner, Virginia Beach Human Rights Commission, 2002-Present;
  • Board of Directors, Finance Committee, Ervin "Blueprint" Parker Leadership Academy,
    2002-Present;
  • Board Member, Virginia Beach Events Steering Committee, 2002-Present;
  • Treasurer, Theta Chi International Foundation Chapter, 2002-2003;
  • Board Member of Theta Chi International Foundation Chapter, 1990-2003;
  • Founder and Chairman, The Richard Hassell Foundation, 2001-Present;
  • Director, The Mills Brothers International Society, 2000-Present;
  • President, Earning by Learning Foundation, Hampton Roads, 1997-Present;
  • Board of Directors, Earning by Learning Foundation, Hampton Roads, 1993-Present;
  • President, Tidewater Chapter of the West Virginia Wesleyan Alumni Association,
    1992-Present;
  • Member, West Virginia Wesleyan Alumni Council, 1991- Present;
  • Initiator and Director, annual Multi-Corporate Turkey/Clothing/Toy Drives during
    Thanksgiving and Christmas, Christian Action (now RHF) and Mothers, Inc.,
    1989-Present;
  • Honoree, The Children's Connection, 1999;
  • Industry Leader/Recruitment Leader, Annual American Heart Walk, 1993-1997;
  • Corporate Leader, Annual Tele-pledge to benefit the American Heart Association,
    1993-1997;
  • Initiator and Director, Corporate College Intern Program, Prudential Securities,
    Virginia Beach, Virginia, 1988-1997;
  • Recruitment and Company Leader, United Way, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, and
    Hampton Roads, 1980-1997;
  • Vice President, West Virginia Wesleyan Alumni Council, 1991-1995;
  • Vice President and Finance Director, Delta Gamma Chapter of Theta Chi Fraternity
    Alumni Association, 1986-1995;
  • Chairman, West Virginia Wesleyan Athletic Hall of Fame Inaugural Task Force,
    1992-1993;
  • Organizational Chairman, Hurricane Andrew Relief Fund, Virginia Beach, Virginia,
    1993;
  • Big Brother, Big Brothers and Big Sisters, Virginia Beach, Virginia, 1988-1991;
  • Volunteer, the Reading for the Blind Program, WHRO Radio, Norfolk, Virginia, 1986.

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