Interview by Abernathy Cochran intern and Gainesville High recent graduate Ben Jessup
Meet Wayne Jessup! Wayne is a longtime Gainesville resident and father to Rusty Jessup, Randy Jessup, and Janna Mallis and has five grandchildren. Wayne attended the University of Georgia and owned a CPA firm in Gainesville from 1977 to 2013. Over the years he has been involved locally with the Kiwanis Club and First Baptist Church.
We want to thank Wayne for spending time with us recently and telling us more about his life and love of Hall County.
Question: What inspired you or led you to your current career?
Answer: “I like working with numbers and I like working in business. I enjoyed meeting people but did not like doing sales work.”
Q: What is your favorite restaurant in Hall County, and what do you love there?
A: “Poor Richards, and grilled trout.”
Q: How long have you lived or worked in Hall County?
A: “I have lived here for 50 years. I moved here in 1971.”
Q: Who is the most interesting person you’ve met in Hall County and why?
A: “James Mathis Sr. He came from a humble childhood and rose to local and state prominence through his love for his fellow man.”
Q: What is your favorite childhood memory?
A: “Hanging around my father’s automobile dealership.”
Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would it be and why?
A: “The western United States.”
Q: What is the first movie you remember seeing in a theater?
A: “Old Yeller.”
Q: What advice would you give a crowd of people?
A: “Show love and respect to your fellow man and woman.”
Q: What is something on your bucket list?
A: “To go to the college baseball world series.”
Q: What is your favorite music/ three bands you would like to see (dead or alive)?
A: “The Righteous Brother, Creedance Clearwater Revival, Chuck Berry.”
Q: What local business makes you the most nostalgic about Hall County and why?
A: “The Collegiate Grill because it has been here so long.”
Q: What is your favorite thing about Hall County?
A: “The good southern people and their willingness to help.”
Q: Where do you see yourself in five or 10 years?
A: “Here in Gainesville enjoying being with my children and grandchildren.”
Q: What is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?
A: “I grew up stuttering.”
Q: What three words mean “Home” to you?
A: “Family, comfort, and safety.”
Q: If you were cast into a major motion picture and had your choice of anyone to be your co-star, who would you choose?
A: “Tom Hanks.”
Q: If you had a full-time staff member that was fully paid for, who would you choose?
A: “A cook and housekeeper.”
