In his early days with father Jim , mother Bonnie and older brother Frank
Pat ’ s love for broadcast television began at the University of Northern Iowa , where he and his colleagues managed the university ’ s TV / AV department .
As Pat retires after more than 40 years with Cox Communications , he leaves behind one of the most respected multiservice broadband communications and entertainment companies in the industry . But Pat also helped create what we ’ ve come to know as Cox Culture by deeply caring for employees , serving his community with a generous heart and always looking for ways to improve the customer experience .
Growing Up
Raised in northwest Iowa , Pat learned the value of sweat equity and hard work at a young age . When he wasn ’ t with friends , Pat could be found working at one of the many jobs he held growing up : helping at his family ’ s dry-cleaning business , mowing yards , bagging groceries , baling hay and shoveling grain at the local grain elevator .
His family and community provided a nurturing support system , while teachers , nuns and priests pushed him to meet his academic potential . Pat , among a handful in his family to attend college , studied at the University of Northern Iowa ( aided by a theater scholarship ) and graduated in 1979 .
After graduation , Pat sought out a career in cable because of the exciting world cable programming had opened for him as a kid .
He began in Waterloo , Iowa , climbing poles and cutting in taps when the cable television industry was in its infancy . Story has it that his chief engineer either saw something special in Pat , or just got tired of him falling off the poles . He eventually took away Pat ’ s climbing gear and sent him to marketing and sales to become a door-to-door salesman .
“ I learned the basics of the business and what it takes to build a cable system from the ground up , which was an incredible opportunity ,” said Pat . “ I also gained a deep appreciation for what it takes to be a front-line employee — working on the side of the road in 110-degree heat or subzero cold , and / or helping customers with their issues . Those early experiences stayed with me and influenced my business decisions .”
Joining Cox
Ready for a change and hearing good things about Cox Communications , Pat loaded up his car in 1979 and drove 1,000 miles to Hampton Roads , Va ., where he was hired as a local program director . Pat said he immediately knew Cox was special because of how people cared about him .
According to Pat , Mae Douglas taught him to have greater empathy for leaders from different backgrounds . Merritt Rose of CableRep advertising taught him about discipline and the importance of making a plan . And Ajit Dalvi showed him you can never be too prepared .
“ I ’ ve been blessed to work for and work with an amazing team of leaders — 1979 when I was hired in Cox Tidewater by Dennis Marmon to our CEO Alex Taylor today ,” Pat said . “ All these leaders have cared deeply about me , my teammates and our company . That is what makes Cox special , and for that I will always be grateful .” In the early days of broadband , Cox Communications quickly made a name for itself by pioneering commercial services , customer care , cable telephone and a new standard for outstanding workplaces . Pat ’ s keen knowledge of the business earned the respect of those around him . With each new leadership position he shaped the company — and the cable advertising industry — for the better . In 2006 he was named president of Cox Communications .
“ Pat is an example of an incredible leader ,” said Alex Taylor , president and CEO , Cox Enterprises . “ He and his team worked hard every day to drive innovation and customer service , and he delivered budget results every year he was in charge . But the most important thing about Pat is his people sense . He identifies employees with talent and then builds a strong team . There is no more valuable skill as a leader , and we are grateful to Pat for the legacy he leaves behind .”
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