Introduction
In 1997, Dr. Larry G. Patten founded Quality Ventures Incorporated to help organizations meet ISO 9000 registration and certification requirements. In 2000, he expanded the work into personal development for executive leadership teams.
Today, he offers group in-office programs, individual coaching, and online training. He is also working to make much of his past material available to individuals and organizations at no cost.
Dr. Patten’s career spans more than forty years in leadership, administration, and management across technology, education, government, and both commercial and public broadcasting. He has launched multiple companies and delivered organizational development services to for-profit and nonprofit organizations.
Career Highlights
- CEO, Iowa Public Television; led a $7M capital campaign
- Appointed to Governor’s Cabinet; consultant on educational technology initiatives
- VP, Digital Network Services; developed early long-line fiber optic systems
- President, commercial broadcasting group; turnaround and successful sale
- Founder, Quality Ventures and World Leadership Institute; coaching and development programs
- Chancellor of Private University
- Author of business/personal development books and novels; seminar leader
Early Career
Dr. Patten’s career began in high school. At age sixteen, he started a custom audio recording company built around emerging recording technology, including audio recorders and condenser microphones. By graduation, he had grown the business into Iowa’s largest custom phonograph record company, and shortly afterward secured a franchise with Century Records.
Early Development of Distance Learning
In 1968, he joined Kirkwood Community College as an instructor teaching electronics, English, and business practices. Five years later, he accepted his first administrative role, leading development of some of the nation’s earliest individualized instruction and distance learning programs. He also helped bring KCCK-FM on the air as the college’s public radio station. These initiatives were supported by more than four million dollars in grants and donations.
Iowa Public Television
In 1981, Larry became CEO of Iowa Public Television, reporting to a board of trustees responsible for network governance. During this period, he led a seven-million-dollar capital campaign that resulted in a new facility and helped strengthen the relationship between Friends of IPTV and the network.
Government and Public Service
In 1982, he was appointed to the Governor’s Cabinet and, at the Governor’s request, led several state government committees. He later served as a consultant to the Iowa General Assembly on educational technology issues and to the U.S. Congressional Office of Technology Assessment on educational delivery systems.
Digital Network Development
After Iowa Public Television, he served as Vice President of Digital Network Services at Teleconnect Company. In that role, he developed some of the first long-line fiber-optic telecommunications systems in the country, with responsibilities spanning technical development and deployment, as well as marketing and sales of communications products.
Radio Broadcasting
Larry later served as president of a commercial broadcasting group, guiding the organization from financial loss to significant profitability. At the owner’s request, he developed the plan and led the sale of the stations. The stations sold for more than twenty times cash flow, a record high in the commercial radio industry at that time.
World Leadership Institute
In 1997, Dr. Patten began World Leadership Institute, writing much of the program material, including the videos and software designed to help individuals learn. Through WLI, he delivered programs to organizations and individuals designed to create sustainable improvements in organizational performance and personal growth. After moving from Iowa to Atlanta, he continued this work under LGPatten Company.
Quad Cities Business Radio
Larry and his son James produced a weekly thirty-minute radio show on WOC-AM in Davenport. Quad Cities Business Radio was a strong success and remained on the air until Larry relocated to Atlanta. When it became known the show would not continue into the next quarter, two other stations approached the team about carrying it, but he remained committed to the move. The Quad-City Times published an article on the show’s achievement.
Other Achievements
Colleges and Universities
Dr. Patten has held multiple administrative roles in higher education, including Vice-Chancellor of Distance Learning, President of a for-profit college, and, before retiring in 2009, Chancellor of a university.
Quality and Standards
He served as an ISO 9000 auditor and worked with organizations on Malcolm Baldrige performance standards. He has written on quality systems and their importance to organizational effectiveness.
Government Consulting and International Work
He served on the cabinet for two Iowa governors and consulted for the General Assembly. He contributed to Linking for Learning: A New Course for Education, a project for the U.S. Congressional Office of Technology Assessment. At the request of the Soviet government, he prepared a paper on educational technology and its effect on the social order, presenting it to officials in Moscow in 1989. He has also consulted for agencies at both state and federal levels, as well as for-profit and nonprofit organizations.
Programs and Seminars
In addition to his work in performance improvement and organizational development, including concepts from his book Building Champion Organizations through Strategic Organizational Development, Dr. Patten has delivered numerous seminars.
Books and Novels
He has written books on business and personal development as well as three novels. (Link: list of books)
Education
Larry earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration and a master’s degree in educational administration from University of Iowa. He was invited to attend the university’s Summer Writers Workshop. He earned a Doctorate of Theology in 2015.
Family
Dr. Patten and his wife have been married for more than 50 years and enjoy four children and eight grandchildren.