Employee Spotlight: Views from a Veteran

An interview with Louis Patin, Vice President of National Programs at Gordian

 

Louis Patin’s outgoing personality stands out in a room and demands your attention, probably a necessary trait being the baby in a house with four older siblings. Patin is also a stand-out in our organization, working his way from a Senior Account Manager to leading his regional team and now serving as the Vice President of National Programs.

What some colleagues may not know is that Patin is a military veteran from a family of service members. In this short interview, Patin discusses his decision to join the military, what he appreciates most about his service and how it has impacted his career.

“Once we took that oath, we were family and that was all that mattered.”

Louis Patin

What motivated you to join the military?

“I am the youngest of five children. All four of my older brothers joined the service out of high school. My oldest brother was in the Army for 22 years, my second oldest brother was in the Navy, my third brother was in the Army National Guard, and I joined the Air Force from 1986-1992. I thought it was cool to follow in my brother’s footsteps.” 

What was your primary job after training?

“I was the armament crew chief for the A-10 Thunderbolt II—the Warthog, as we liked to call it. We were responsible for all of the ammunition on the aircraft. When the pilot would get ready for a mission, we would load the aircraft with the necessary ammunition. When the plane returned we would reload and send him back out again.”

Having served yourself, what do you appreciate most about our military?

“What I appreciated most about serving in the military was the camaraderie and the friends I made along the way. It was very important to all of us to honor the commitment we signed up for and to follow through with whatever was asked of us without hesitation. It didn’t matter where we came from or how we had lived prior to being in the service. Once we took that oath, we were family and that was all that mattered.”

How does your military experience affect your current job and life in general?

“My military experience has helped me with maintaining structure and also providing structure for my team. It is very important for me to get everyone to understand our mission at Gordian and not just buying into some disingenuous rhetoric. Having a team that believes in and trusts their leader is very important, not just to us, but in any organization.”

Thank a Veteran.

Our military service members should be celebrated for their willingness to serve and sacrifice for our freedoms. Thank you, Louis and all of our military veterans for your service to our country and your continued service to our customers. We’re honored to have you as a part of our team.

To read more from our military veterans. visit “Honoring Our Own Who Sacrificed, Served and Protected.”