Brad Patrick, esteemed Executive-in-Residence and Lecturer at the Gatton College of Business and Economics, traveled to Chicago to present at the 2023 Coastal Cloud Manufacturing Summit. The summit was a gathering of manufacturing executives, industry experts, leaders, and Salesforce Manufacturing users, all eager to explore the cutting-edge innovations that are shaping the future of technology in manufacturing.
Brad’s role at the university and the Gatton College of Business and Economics is clear: he is the bridge between academia and the corporate world, tasked with forging valuable connections for student experiences, career opportunities, research collaborations, and partnerships to meet business needs. As he stepped onto the stage in Chicago, he was excited to fulfill this mission.
“The role I play to support the college is exciting for me because it connects Gatton resources and expertise to business needs. Our professors, researchers, doctoral candidates, and students offer depth in many business areas that are valuable to Kentucky businesses and organizations. It is a win-win opportunity.”
The summit was a hub of knowledge exchange, where leaders discussed the latest trends and technologies transforming the industry. Brad’s insights and expertise added a valuable perspective to the discussions, further solidifying Gatton College’s reputation as a leader in business education.
During his time in Chicago, Brad had the pleasure of connecting with fellow alumni from the University of Kentucky and Gatton College. Erik Dunnigan, UK/Gatton ’02, Coastal Cloud’s Chief Revenue Officer, is a nationally respected expert in the world of Economic and Workforce Development. He has held key positions in both the private and public sectors, making significant contributions to the state of Kentucky. Most recently he held the position of acting Secretary for the Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development (CED) initiating a major, state-wide implementation of Salesforce.com.
Jessie Werner, UK ’02, Coastal Cloud’s director of Go-to-Market Strategy is known for her marketing and communications expertise and has led teams in various sectors, showcasing her ability to drive success in both non-profit and for-profit sectors.
Mary Beth Wright, UK ’01, Gatton MBA, ’02, Senior Director of Manufacturing has over two decades of leadership experience and has been instrumental in business development efforts in Kentucky and Tennessee, bringing her wealth of expertise to the private sector.
Brad Patrick himself has a distinguished career spanning over 33 years in Human Resources, having worked for several prominent companies such as Frito-Lay/PepsiCo, Delta Air Lines, Gillette, Procter & Gamble, Sara Lee Corporation, Tempur Sealy International, Shearer’s Snacks and Valvoline.
“This conference allowed me to reconnect with Erik, Jessie, and Mary Beth,” Brad mentioned with a smile. “Meeting up with UK and Gatton alums was great because it affirmed the importance of our alumni network in fostering career growth and opportunities.”
The Gatton College of Business and Economics was proud to partner with Coastal Cloud, a company that not only values education but also provides significant opportunities for UK interns, many of whom found full-time positions within the company. The hiring pipeline between Coastal Cloud and Gatton is strong, a testament to the quality of education and talent nurtured at Gatton College.
