Interview by Emiliano Perez, Gainesville High School senior and Abernathy Cochran intern

Meet Denise Jordan! Denise is married and has two sons. She has been serving as the Gainesville City Clerk for 25 years.

We want to thank Denise for spending time with us recently and telling us more about her life and love of Hall County.

Question: Please tell us a bit about your family.
Answer: “I have been married for 35 years and I have two sons. I also have two siblings, a brother and a sister and am the oldest of the three!”

Q: Please tell us about your current career. What do you love most about what you do?
A: “I have been serving as the city clerk for 25 years and have worked in a couple other departments for a total of 35 years with the City of Gainesville. I love meeting a lot of new people and I always have a wide variety of tasks so I never get bored!”

Q: What are a couple of your favorite restaurants in our community?
A: “The first two that came to mind are Taqueria Tsunami and Centro. I love Mexican food and the Asian-Mexican blend appeals to me a lot.”

Q: How long have you lived or worked in our community?
A: “I have lived in Hall County for my entire life.”

Q: Who is the most interesting person you have met here in our community?
A: “This is a hard one, I don’t think I can really name one individual person. Everyone is so unique. I have worked and met so many people. All are interesting to me!”

Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would it be and why?
A: “I am not a big traveler but I would have to say Italy because it’s beautiful, has rich culture and great food. I love pasta. There would be so many different options to try.”

Q: What is one of your favorite movies? TV shows?
A: “Definitely the Fast and Furious series.”

Q: What advice would you want to give or leave with people
A: “Well, I believe in the golden rule, to treat people the way you want to be treated. I think that is the best piece of advice I would share.”

Q: What current or former local business makes you the most nostalgic about our community?
A: “There are so many great restaurants. The one I think fondly of is Spuds!”

Q: If you could choose anyone that is alive today and not a relative, with whom would you love to have lunch? Why? And where locally would you meet them for this lunch?
A: “I would love to have lunch with President Obama and his wife Michelle Obama. They are such intelligent individuals. We share similar interests. The Chattahoochee Country Club is where I would take them to eat.”

Q: What is your favorite thing or something unique about our community and secondly what is something you hope our community has or does in the future?
A: “I think our city is unique because it is a mid-size city with that small town feel. Everybody knows everybody and there’s a friendly vibe in most settings. I look forward to a more robust county-wide transit system.”

Q: Where do you see yourself in 5 to 10 years?
A: “I will definitely be retired. I think just taking one day at a time and doing more gardening and crafting!”

Q: What is something on your bucket list?
A: “I actually do not have a bucket list.”

Q: What is your go to band when you can’t decide what to listen to?
A: “Always Whitney Houston!”

Q: In hard times we can sometimes see and recognize greatness in those around us. Hard working. Positive attitudes. Helping on the front lines. Who is one of our local shining lights today?
A: “The person who first comes to mind is Emily Lawson. She was the first female mayor and watching her in action was a wonderful experience. Fast forward to today, I think of Phillippa Lewis Moss. Her commitment to helping others in this community is far reaching.”

Q: What is the most beautiful place you have ever been?
A: “I would say Hilton Head because of its beauty and its sentimental value. This was my honeymoon destination.”

Q: Favorite month? Favorite Holiday? And the best single day on the calendar?
A: “My favorite month is January because it is my birth month! My favorite holiday is Christmas and the single best day is also Christmas!”

Q: Who would you want to play you in a movie about your life?
A: “I have two answers for this. Either Nia Long or Meghan Good.”

Q: What is one of two of your favorite smells?
A: “I love the smell of coffee.”

Q: Who inspires you to be better?
A: “My sons inspire me to be the best because I want them to see me as a positive role model!”