Virginia JCI Sentor Spotlight

This is a series of articles designed to provide an look at a Virginia JCI Senator. Our first Spotlight will be focused on Sumpter Priddy.

See his "Older" and "Younger" looks on the right.

Check back regularly to see who is being spotlighted.

Sumpter Priddy, #15608

Sumpter Priddy, #15608 – Joined the Waverly  Jaycees in 1950  - served various local offices with a culminaton of serving as the Virginia Jaycees 19^th President, 1954-1955 and then the US Jaycees National Vice President, 1955-1956.

He said he had a hotel in DC and was elected in Virginia. Aides to Herbert Hoover called the hotel stating that the Jaycees were too loud. Sumpter sent a letter to HH apologizing, with only HH stating that it was unfortunate that he wasn’t invited!!!!

When asked about the name Sumpter, it’s an antebellum name relating to the days of Thomas Sumter http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Sumter

As his professional career flourished as an automobile dealer – he moved up in that organization as well as the retail merchants association as a Managing Director, COO and President and thereafter Chief spokesman for the association in setting legislative policy for the retail locations.

In his 32 years of numerous gubernatorial appointments, Sumpter served as host coordinator for inaugurations, and was invited more than 6 times for Lt Gov and House of Delegates and Senate Conferences and much more.

At  85, Sumpter, says his motto of the Jaycees is….”well we like to drink and we say we can make water turn to wine, but that wine is the foundation of making the difference in our country. We ARE the Jaycees. To be a JC Senator is the ultimate of your volunteer service. It doesn’t define who you are, but the difference you have made. To turn your back on an honor that has been bestowed upon you, for whatever reason, is hypocrisy. You are a Senator. If you don’t want to live it – turn your number in. A Senator is an honor. No matter what – you, as an individual, regardless of feelings of others, YOU have earned this honor. Whatever feelings you have about other Senators, does NOT negate what you have done to deserve this honor. “Remember what the Jaycees are about and not what you want it to be.”

Sumpter says in closing --- what made a difference in my life is that I have a motto…”Don’t sit there, do something!”

Sumpter states that “9 out of 10 times a day,  I think of the Jaycees – from then until now – someone will cross my path.”

Here’s to you, Sumpter!