Patrick Feely
Vice President of Operations
pfeely@bpiinc.com
Pat has been a Partner and General Manager since joining the BPI Team 13 years ago in February of 1999. However, Pat has been associated with BPI’s tradition, successes and history dating back to the early 1980’s. After graduating from Marquette University, he joined BPI for a short period of time while searching for full time employment during the throes of a major economic downturn. In the mid 90’s, Pat was a member of BPI’s Business Advisory Board, assembled by the Owner and President, Steve Mueller. Prior to joining BPI, Pat held numerous executive management positions while working for Bell Atlantic, based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Throughout his career, primarily based in operations management, Pat has had the opportunity to lead organizations focused in providing technology-based services and solutions to Clients.
During his 30+ years in business, Pat has managed operations throughout the United States and Europe. He has had numerous opportunities to relocate to various other parts of the world, including Australia, Pennsylvania, Texas, and Ohio; however, being born and raised in Wisconsin, Pat and his wife Holly have consistently and confidently made the decision to raise their family, establish careers, and make the Milwaukee area home base. When asked why the decision to live and work in the Milwaukee and Southeast Wisconsin area has been so easy, Pat points to priority of family, educational opportunities for their daughters, quality of the community, and commitment to contributing to business expansion in Wisconsin. Pat also suggests, “Holly and I have traveled extensively in our careers and for pleasure. We both agree the caliber, quality, character, and work ethic of individuals in our community are second to none.” Pat and Holly live in Brookfield with their two teenage daughters.
What has been the best part of your time with BPI? Joining the organization at a time when it was poised for growth, and playing a part in the company’s subsequent and successful expansion. Assembling the BPI team, planning and controlling the growth, and initiating new business initiatives to meet our Clients’ requirements are all things I enjoy doing. I’m very proud of what we have accomplished and opportunities our organization continues to generate.
What has been BPI’s biggest challenge? The traditional business model in our industry, like so many others, has been rapidly changing, due in large part to new and improved technology tools and our Clients’ continuing desire to advance their services and products. The economic downturn has also certainly presented a number of challenges, but the team at BPI has continued to demonstrate its resiliency, adaptability, and determination to change our business.
What will be the biggest challenge going forward? Continuing to transition and re-brand our company’s services, upgrading employee skill sets, and expanding organizational capabilities to provide what our Clients require and new markets demand. Rapidly advancing technology continues to add an exciting and extremely challenging dimension to this effort.
In your 30+ years of business experience, what has been the most exciting time? Certainly witnessing and managing through the evolution of hardware and software technology from main frame-based computing of the late 80’s to the current capabilities of cloud computing has been exciting. However, I would suggest that while our business, markets, and industry continue to produce the uncertainty of change, right NOW is the most exciting time I’ve ever experienced.
What community initiatives are you involved with? For the past eight years I’ve had the honor of serving on the Metro Milwaukee Business Advisory Board for Children’s Service Society of Wisconsin (CSSW) and Children’s Hospital. CSSW provides vital services to the Milwaukee and surrounding communities in foster care, adoption services, respite care, and family outreach programs (Project Ujima and Parklawn Resource Center).
Do you have any hobbies? For the past 10 years, I’ve been part of a team that races sailboats competitively.
If you had to pick a second career what would it be? I would be a play-by-play announcer for Major League Baseball.
What book are you currently reading? The Power of Habit written by Charles Duhigg.
Do you have a favorite quote? Many, but one of my favorites is one attributed to Coach Paul “Bear” Bryant:
“The first time you quit, it’s hard.
The second time, it gets easier.
The third time, you don’t even have to think about it!”
Tags: Bear Bryant, Operations. Pat Feely, Roll Tide
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