Local businessman and housing and insurance executive, J. Norvell Gooden was recently elected as President of the Housing Association of Mississippi Inc. (HAM) during HAM’s annual membership meeting at its recent Annual Conference in Philadelphia.
Gooden, who has served as the organization’s Treasurer and serves on its Board of Directors, will now lead the organization as President starting in January 2020.
The Housing Association of Mississippi is a statewide non-profit organization established in 1995 and is dedicated to the improvement of the lifestyle of our rural citizenry. In providing safe and affordable housing, both borrower and lender have committed themselves to safeguarding the borrower’s investment and maintaining adequate security for the lender. HAM is therefore dedicated to the enhancement of rural multi-family housing and elderly housing through the promotion of professionalism in property management.
Gooden is a partner and Vice President of Property, Asset, Risk Management & Human Resources at family owned, United Management & Development Associates, Inc. He is also the Principal & licensed Agent of Gooden Insurance Agency and is a partner in other family business ventures.
Gooden, who is a native Clarksdalian, also holds several industry educational designations through the National Affordable Housing Management Association and the Institute of Real Estate Management which is an affiliate of the National Association of Realtors. Gooden is also an active member of the National Association of Insurance & Financial Advisors and it’s Mississippi State affiliate and a Trusted Choice Agent through the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America, its Mississippi State Affiliate.
A very active community servant, Gooden continues to serve as current President of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc., Eta Zeta Sigma Chapter, Chapel Hill Baptist Church Board of Deacons, Chairman of the Clarksdale Municipal Democratic Executive Committee, and member of the Coahoma County Democratic Executive Committee. Gooden is a Lifetime member of Coahoma Community College Alumni Association, Lifetime member of the University Of Mississippi/ Ole Miss Alumni Association, Lifetime member of the NAACP, and has served and/or continues to serve on a host of other Boards and Councils. Gooden is a dedicated volunteer with the American Cancer Society, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, local outreach at area schools including Phi Beta Sigma’s Adopt a School Program, Annual scholarships to deserving students, area Headstart Coats for Kids, meal deliveries at the Clarksdale Care Station, and outreach with area youth and outreach at elderly housing communities.
J. Norvell Gooden is a proud father and husband, married to Crystal Hall-Gooden.
