John Pertessis, the chief executive of the Thousand Oaks Flyers Youth Track Club and former president of the Conejo Youth Flag Football Association, publicly endorses Gus Gougas for the City Council seat representing District 2. Pertessis highlights Gougas’s long‑standing service to the community, his proven leadership during emergencies, and his dedication to family values.
Shared History in Youth Sports
Pertessis and Gougas first crossed paths as opposing coaches on the flag‑football board. Even then, Pertessis says he “gained respect for him” and later recruited Gougas to join the organization while serving as president. Within a few years, Gougas was elected president himself, where he introduced innovative ideas that improved both gameplay and safety.
Guiding Through Crises
During the severe Southern California wildfires and the COVID‑19 pandemic, Gougas led the nonprofit through its toughest periods. Pertessis notes that Gougas “steered the organization through those crises and then handed it off in strong shape to the next generation of board members,” personally helping recruit and prepare new leaders.
Fiscal Responsibility and Public Safety
When public safety and tight budgets intersected, Gougas “made the hard calls with a steady hand,” according to Pertessis. The endorsement stresses that this judgment is exactly what Thousand Oaks needs for emergency preparedness and responsible use of taxpayer funds.
Commitment to Family and Community
Beyond his professional achievements, Gougas runs his own company while serving as an unpaid volunteer for the nonprofit and raising two children in Thousand Oaks. Pertessis emphasizes that Gougas “knows how to bring people together, plan for the long term, and get things done for the people he serves.” The endorsement concludes with a clear call to voters: “Vote for Gus the Good Guy.”
Why This Endorsement Matters
Endorsements from respected community leaders like Pertessis provide voters with insight into a candidate’s character and track record. Gougas’s experience in nonprofit leadership, crisis management, and family life aligns with the values of traditional families and individual liberty that many Thousand Oaks residents hold dear.
For residents seeking a council member who balances fiscal prudence, public‑safety expertise, and a genuine commitment to the community, Pertessis’s endorsement positions Gus Gougas as a strong choice for District 2.
Original reporting: Thousand Oaks Acorn — read the source article.
