About Gus

I am Gus Gougas, born and raised in Southern California and a resident of Thousand Oaks since 2010. I grew up in the San Fernando Valley, but moved to Thousand Oaks to be closer to my family and because of the public schools. My story is truly the American dream. I was born to parents that recently celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary. In the 70’ and 80’s, the San Fernando Valley was the place to be and a perfect place to raise a family. I went to Granada Hills High School and graduated from CSUN with a BA in Political Science. I was in the Political Science Honor Society, Pi Sigma Alpha and Phi Delta Theta Fraternity. Once I graduated, I found my passion in sales and sales management and spent 20 plus years in Corporate America.

 

I met my wife Jennifer and we were married in 1996. We quickly started a family, Anastasia and Nicholas. As our kids grew, I made the decision to leave the corporate world and all the time away from home that comes with it. I started a home improvement company, OrganizIT!.  My partner and I were able to grow that company to a multi-million-dollar company. This new company allowed me to be home more and spend more time with my family. With that came AYSO soccer, YMCA Guides and Princess, swim team, water polo and football. That is when my volunteering journey started.  I became a member of the Chamber of Commerce, started coaching AYSO soccer and Conejo Youth Flag Football Association, (CYFFA), while also serving on multiple boards including the YMCA, TOHS and CYFFA.  I have also served as Chair of the Thousand Oaks Community Funding Review Committee, reporting directly to the Thousand Oaks City Council.

 

I sold my interest in my company and retired, but that didn’t last long. I used my real estate license, became a travel agent, am currently a high school football referee and fell in love with pickleball. I parlayed my love for pickleball into a gold medal at the 2023 National Championships, and I am now part owner and currently the director of Pickleball Athletic Club, (PAC), Thousand Oaks' first indoor pickleball club.

 

My experience working in business, owning and running businesses has taught me invaluable skills that will translate well into my position on the City Council. From building teams and managing them, creating budgets and working within them, setting goals and working towards them, and working with all levels of senior management. These skills and experience allowed me to excel in corporate America and achieve success and awards at every company I worked with. This type of experience comes from rolling up your sleeves and doing the work.  This work ethic will serve me well within the City Council.

 

And while I have had my share of success in business, my greatest achievement in life is my family. I married the woman of my dreams, Jennifer. Jennifer was an oncology nurse for 30 years, now retired and on the Board of Directors for the Cancer Support Community. Jennifer and I raised two amazing, intelligent, independent children. Both of our children went off to college, graduated with honors, went to work right out of school and have been on their own since, charting their own paths.  Both are still with their first jobs out of college; Anastasia with Amgen and Nicholas with the Kansas City Chiefs.

 

I am ready to start the next chapter in my life and my many years volunteering in Thousand Oaks has sparked my desire to run for City Council District 2. My goal is to do my part to keep Thousand Oaks as one of the most beautiful and desirable cities in the country.

 

I would be honored to have your support.