{"id":1130,"date":"2019-02-27T13:51:00","date_gmt":"2019-02-27T18:51:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/me.business.holycross.edu\/?p=1130"},"modified":"2019-02-27T13:51:00","modified_gmt":"2019-02-27T18:51:00","slug":"ciocca-center-intern-interviews-rick-patterson-80","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.holycross.edu\/business\/2019\/02\/27\/ciocca-center-intern-interviews-rick-patterson-80\/","title":{"rendered":"Ciocca Center Intern Interviews Rick Patterson ’80"},"content":{"rendered":"

Rick Patterson ’80<\/strong>
\nFounder of Coniston Capital<\/strong><\/p>\n

Rick Patterson \u201980 was an economics major and currently serves as the chair of the Holy Cross board of trustees and is a director of Global Weather Corporation and RedShelf Inc. \u00a0Rick has been a trustee on the Holy Cross Board since 2011 and became chair in Aug 2018. As a first generation student, Rick\u2019s time on the hill was dedicated to working hard and knowing he wanted a career in business. \u00a0After Holy Cross, Rick went on to earn his M.B.A in finance and international business from Columbia University.\u00a0<\/span> Rick began his career in 1982 as a banking officer at Mellon Bank, where his first assignment was actually as a driver for a corporate golf event! \u00a0Before founding Coniston Capital, Rick was a founding partner of Spire Capital (1999-2015) and previously a partner at Waller Capital Corporation (1986-1999). \u00a0As founder of Coniston Capital, Rick drove investment opportunities within the media and communications sectors. Based in New Jersey, Rick dedicates much of his time to the Holy Cross community. \u00a0Since becoming chair of the board in September 2018, Rick\u2019s visit to Worcester in February 2019 marks his 8th trip back to the hill.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Most important qualities of CEO\/President:<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Rick values natural leaders with a vision and the ability to express that vision. \u00a0The best CEOs a<\/span>re people who \u201ccan select and motivate talent.\u201d<\/span>
\n<\/p>\n

Importance of Mentorship:<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Rick is a \u201cbig believer\u201d in the power of mentoring. \u00a0Many of Rick\u2019s mentors were bosses who \u201cshepherded him along.\u201d \u00a0It is important to have personal relationships with people who share their knowledge and guide you along the way.<\/span><\/p>\n

Holy Cross Board of Trustees:<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Rick described how \u201cjust as much goes on outside of the board room as what goes on inside.\u201d \u00a0The connections, comradery, and community-feel among board members is a crucial aspect to the conversations and consensus building. \u00a0As chair, Rick promotes a culture of engagement. The role of the board at Holy Cross is different from the board of a corporate company. \u00a0The Holy Cross board values people who will dedicate their time, talent and treasure to the College. The talent that the board looks for encompasses a broad array of experience from graduates to priests, professors, and parents. \u00a0Those who serve on the board of trustees at Holy Cross are often the biggest donors. The forty-four people that sit on the board are asked to make Holy Cross the primary destination for their charitable donations. Rick knows that a good board interacts with the people in the organization, in this case it\u2019s the student body. \u00a0Every year, a recent grad joins the Holy Cross Board for two years. Board members are allowed two four-year terms and the chair serves for four years. The board meets formally three times per year in Worcester and the committees meet with greater frequency. \u00a0Most trustees attend a significant number of campus events and college events around the country throughout the year. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The Nine Holy Cross Board Committees:<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n