GPSEG Vice Chairman Dwayne Patterson learned an important lesson about networking on a sad day in his life – the funeral of his father, Lloyd, an executive in a Rhode Island car dealership.
Lloyd Patterson knew a little about the power of a strong network and how to connect with people. At his 2003 memorial service, his philosophy of treating people right and building long-term relationships manifested itself: Traffic backed up throughout the Patterson hometown of Barrington, R.I. as customers, suppliers, acquaintances and fellow businessmen – friends all -- thronged to pay their last respects.
It was an incredible display of affection and love for someone who was a dear friend to so many. “If you always do the right things for other people, good things will happen for you,” Lloyd Patterson used to say.
Dwayne Patterson had met GPSEG founder Chris Pavlides a year earlier, and joined the organization when there were fewer than 40 members. He attended meetings and connected with people but wasn’t really committed to networking. It took him a while, but after the funeral he finally understood what Pavlides meant when he coined the phrase, ‘Networking for Life.’
In 2004, Patterson volunteered as the organization’s membership chairman. Building a structure and the corresponding processes came easy to the operations executive. Since that time, GPSEG has grown from 200 to more than 1,200 members. His membership team comprised of 14 other GPSEG volunteers now processes more than 150 membership applications every quarter. Patterson also co-founded the Princeton Executive Breakfast, which continues to grow in popularity.
Today, Patterson has an active consulting practice that focuses on long-term assignments with privately held, entrepreneurial companies. Lighthouse Consultants, LLC is the vehicle that Patterson uses to match himself with entrepreneurial business owners looking for growth. While not an entrepreneur, Patterson plays to his strengths, which include understanding how entrepreneurs think and providing them their “go to” resource to grow their businesses.
Making a recent transition out of food service and into a machine shop environment has been no problem for Patterson.
He notes that it’s all about people, process, tools and technology. Every business has the same core issues to address. Patterson likes to cut through the daily noise and draw the picture of success for a company that aligns with the owner’s vision. Once the proper pieces are in place, you simply operate within the system that you build.
The current system will bring his new client an AS9100 certification and provide access to top-tier aerospace customers.
Patterson’s now working with titanium composites instead of filet mignon, noting that, when done properly, both have great customer appeal.
Prior to Lighthouse, Patterson worked in the cable television industry for years, with stints at Cox Communications and TKR Cable Communications. During the mid 1990s -- a time of consolidation in the cable industry – Patterson switched gears, joining AAA in New Jersey as its Executive Vice President. His tenure there coincided with that AAA outlet merging with AAA MidAtlantic. Patterson headed the merger transition process and soon after formed Lighthouse Consultants.
When not at work, Patterson, 50, spends time with his wife, Joanne, and their four children in North Hanover, N.J. He remains active in his community -- he’s the former president of the North Hanover Athletic Club and a long-time soccer, softball and baseball coach. He enjoys working around the house, having restored several houses with a real estate partner.
But everywhere he goes the values his father taught – which are regularly reinforced by GPSEG – go with Patterson.