Name: James Hart Gash, Jr. “Jim”

Family: Wife, Laura (Vanderbilt ’89) and daughters Emma Laura (Ole Miss ’20), Lucy (Sewanee ’23), and Alice (UGA ’28).

Hometown: St. Simons Island, Georgia

Current Town: Atlanta, Georgia

What Years at UGA: 1987 – 1991

School/Degree: UGA BBA Finance 1991 and Georgia State MBA Finance 1995

Profession: President, Courtesy Outdoor Finance – specialty finance company

Accolades: CINCFUN – Commander in Chief FUN – annual Capt Gabby expedition

What life lessons did you learn while at UGA? The greatest life lesson learned are the lifelong friendships and traditions that began the first day you arrive in Athens. Rarely a day goes by when you don’t see or speak with someone associated with your time in Athens. Honorable mention: never drop before you add a class.

What professor did you most admire? During a very warm winter quarter my sophomore year, I missed a number of afternoon classes and Dr. Shedd (pre-law) greeted me upon returning to class, “Mr. Gash, where have you been?” I replied, “Dr. Shedd, I cannot lie to you..I have been working on my golf game.” He nods and says to please take a seat. Crisis averted – see most marked characteristic

What do you consider your greatest achievement? Laura and I have been blessed with three phenomenal daughters. However, one round of golf is my personal greatest moment. Michael Ghioto and I have played over a hundred rounds over the past 40 years, and while he remains a two-time state champion and medalist runner-up during our four years at Glynn Academy, I managed to beat him once while carrying my clubs and a cooler of tallboys. I parred the last three holes in the dark to shoot 81. I still have the scorecard.

Who are your heroes in real life? Parents, coaches, friends and family. You gain a little piece of knowledge from everyone in your life.

Quote to live by: “GATA” – Coach Erk Russell. During my four years at Glynn Academy, we emphatically broke every huddle with “GATA.” I celebrate our girls’ achievements, test grades, Darties and sporting events with a fist bump and GATA.

What is your idea of perfect happiness? Sunrise over Blackbeard Island aboard the Capt Gabby … 949 gameday chants and celebratory shot … walking nine holes at Seaside … late lunch Soul Bowl at Southern Soul … sunset on Melvins Hill or Miss Kitty’s Porch and Grille with fraternity brothers … and late night fireworks with the family after an awesome Braves game or vacation.

What is your most marked characteristic? Mischievous grin.

What do you most value in your friends? When needed, we are there for one another.

If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be? I have been extremely fortunate … why break rule number one? (rule number one is don’t “mess” up the fun)

Who are your favorite writers? Stephen Ambrose and other military history authors. After reading so many personal accounts of heroic encounters, one should walk the American cemetery overlooking Omaha Beach in Normandy and feel the significance of their sacrifices.

Fave social media and who to follow? Text chains with family and friends. Whether is starting every Georgia gameday at 9:49 a.m. with your fraternity brothers, laughing at silly memes or forwarded pictures, or seeing a text from an old friend, text message chains are a personal history of your life in less than 140 characters.