 | THE SPECS:
Company: Patterson Commercial Property Group
Location: Tyler, Texas.
Property Type: Office Specialist
Year Built with SIOR: 2016
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OVERVIEW - Why he’s the Real Deal
Russell Patterson, SIOR, principal broker and owner of Patterson Commercial Property Group in Tyler, Texas, is a powerhouse in office leasing and sales. When he’s not closing transactions, he’s running marathons, spending time with family, and making a difference. From supporting the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation to traveling to Brazil with Amazon Outreach to aid The Forgotten People of the Amazon River, Russell goes beyond business. — He's more than just an SIOR.
HIGHLIGHTS - Get to Know Russell
SR: What’s your favorite hype song for training for a marathon?
RP: My running playlist is very eclectic - filled with country, contemporary Christian, and metalcore. But, there is something about “Dedicated” by Parkway Drive that gets my legs moving fast. Well, fast for me.
SR: If you could eat only 3 foods for the rest of your life, what would they be?
RP: A medium-rare ribeye, Chick-fil-A chicken nuggets, and gummy bears
SR: What’s the most adventurous thing you’ve ever done?
RP: Cave tubing and zip lining in Belize. This was adventurous for me as I have a paralyzing fear of heights.
SR: How do you unwind after a long day?
RP: I try to spend some time with my kiddos. Lately, my youngest daughter (10) and I have been snuggling on the couch and watching Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives.
SR: What is your greatest accomplishment outside of work?
RP: My wife and I will be celebrating our 20th wedding anniversary this summer. Managing to keep her around for that long is definitely my greatest accomplishment!
SR: What was the most eye-opening part of your trip to Brazil with Amazon Outreach?
RP: In the States, we tend to be unsatisfied and always wanting more. We covet the latest and greatest cars, phones, vacations, homes, etc. Even if we get that newest iPhone, that newness soon wears off and we go back to seeking a contentment that will never come. The most eye-opening part of my trip to Brazil was seeing the joy of The River People despite their lack of the most basic needs. Many villages did not have running water. Medical care was scarce or non-existent. But, they were happy. I think we could learn a lot from The River People in this regard.
SR: Some people run for the medals, others for the challenge—what keeps you lacing up your shoes?
RP: I once saw a runner with a t-shirt that read: Will Run For Wine. That spoke to me.
SR: What is one thing people would be surprised to learn about you?
RP: I have a degree in Elementary Education and spent 8 years teaching 4th, 5th, and 6th grade. I even obtained my Masters Degree in Education Administration with the intention of becoming an elementary school principal.
SR: If you could give your younger self one piece of advice, what would it be?
RP: It may sound cliché, but enjoy life because it moves so fast. One day you’re graduating college and the next day you’re approaching 50. So, take that trip. Eat that cookie. Laugh with your kids. It’s all worth it.
SR: What’s one thing you learned about yourself through your volunteer work?
RP: I used to be the one to say, “It’s easier for me to write a check than to get my hands dirty.” That may be true for many of us, but finding and immersing yourself into a non-profit that you’re passionate about can create a true personal and spiritual transformation. I now feel I am a better father and a better person because I went to Brazil. Would I be able to say the same thing if I simply wrote a check?
SR: Close your eyes and picture yourself on vacation—what’s the scene?
RP: It’s summertime and I am sitting on a patio in Steamboat Springs, CO with a glass of Jordan Cabernet in one hand and a good book in the other. There’s just something about escaping the Texas summer heat for that Colorado climate.