| 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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