Name: John Paul Youel

 
Birthplace: Toulouse, France

What high school did you attend? I attended a high school in Iraq.

Area you represent: Fresno Housing Authority appointed me to the Commission.

 Time as EOC Commissioner: 2 years

Profession: I am self-employed; I own an interpretation agency – Trust California Interpretation Agency

Do you sit on other boards/commissions? Yes. I sit on the board of the Fresno Housing Authority.

Best advice ever received: The best advice I received was to have direct relationship with God.

Favorite advice I give: “Honesty is the best policy.”

Favorite restaurant, dish, or pig-out food: Mediterranean Restaurant

Proudest moment: My proudest moment … having a successful family; my wife and five children.

Greatest personal accomplishment: My greatest personal accomplishment is being in the U.S.A.

Best vacation I’ve taken: The best vacation I took was when I traveled from Iraq, Lebanon, Italy, and France to the U.K.

Favorite weekend activity: I enjoy spending time with my family, reading, or watching television.

Last good movie I saw: Gone With the Wind

Scariest experience: The scariest thing I’ve experienced … when our house in Kuwait was bombarded by allied forces.

If I had a million dollars I would … enjoy traveling from country to country.

Favorite place to shop: I don’t have a specific favorite place to shop, but I do enjoy looking for good deals.

Favorite childhood memory: My favorite childhood memory was when two Catholic nuns preaching Christianity spiritually touched me.

Words that describe me best: hard worker, punctual, and plans ahead

I like to watch: football games, boxing, and Christian preachers

In my spare time … I relax and plan what to do next.

If I’ve learned one thing in life, it is … that I have enjoyed learning more about Christianity.

Anything else you’d like us to know? I love America and its people.