David Patterson

Over the past twenty five years, I have continued to stand by the values of 
the Boy Scouts of America, which I am an active member.  I am an Eagle Scout, 
Vigil Member of the Order of the Arrow and Life Member of the National Eagle 
Scout Association.  I also donate my time and money to Camp Rotary near Clare, 
Michigan during the summer as a Camp Staff Volunteer.
 
After graduation, I went on to complete college classes at Delta College 
while working for Metcalf & Schrader,Inc in Caro.  In the fall of 1986, the 
company was sold to CMS Mini Mart and I was hired as Store Manager working at 
several of their location including CMS Video in Caro.  Leaving them in 1990, I went
back to college and completed classes at Northwood University while working 
for Hickory Farms as a supervisor.  In June of 1992, I was employed with 
Tractor Supply Company as Sales Manager in Caro.  That was short lived since I was
hired as the Northeast Supervisor for USA Mini Mart in July 1992.  I enjoyed my 
travel to California for training and also sightseeing.  After a month long  
program, I returned to Michigan and oversaw the daily operations of locations 
in Michigan and New York for the company until changing careers in 1997.  In 
April of 1997, I join the set up team for Family Dollar Stores in Caro.  
Because of my past employment responsibilities, I was put on the fast track to 
becoming a Store Manager for them.  In August 1997, my District Manger promoted me
to store manager and transferred me to Mount Pleasant, Michigan where I have 
been for the last eleven years. During my employment with Family Dollar, I have 
held down two million dollar stores at one time, been part of the store clean 
up team throughout Michigan and Ohio, was chosen to join the loss prevention 
mystery shop program, was selected to complete my elite certified training 
manager certification and also been part of the district new store opening set up
and hiring team.  I am most know for in the region as the “Picnic Planning Guy
”.  Having done all the arrangement as well as the cooking for both district 
and regional picnics over the years.  Since my store’s backroom is so big, I 
have put in a conference room where all of the district meetings and training 
are held.  The Mount Pleasant store is located across the street from Central 
Michigan University so we get a lot of student traffic when they move in each 
fall.  Everyday is a challenge and I love it.
 
Other success stories have been winning two different NASCAR trips to 
Charlotte, North Carolina.  In 1997, over 4000 Family Dollar Stores built displays
to 
win a trip sponsored by M&M/Mars.  I was one of four managers to win.  It was 
my first NASCAR race to attend and loved the all expense paid trip.  In 2000, 
over 5500 stores participated in a contest to promote Little Tree Air 
Fresheners in order to win a trip to be a pit crew member at the Busch Series race
and then watch the Coca Cola 600 the next day. I was packing my bags once again.
 It was enjoyable to hang out with the pit crew and driver, Chad Little.  
Part of my duties were to give tours of the Little Tree semi, help get the car 
ready for inspection, move the tools and tires to the pit area and then stand 
guard with one of the pit crew team members on the tack before the race started 
so no one messed with the car.  During the race, I was in the pit as the 
official photographer and then afterwards helped haul all the tools back to the 
semi once the race was over with. I was treated to dinner at the Speedway Club 
with the winner and then watch the Coca Cola 600 the next day from the suites.  
Due to my outstanding photos, Little Trees’ corporate office used them to 
promote future award contests with their retailers that year.
 
I have a huge collection of Coca Cola, M&M’s and teddy bears.  I enjoy 
working in my yard when I have free time.  Since I enjoy taking pictures, I have
photographed  friend’s weddings & special events, beside using photos to document
building projects at Camp Rotary.
 
What does the future hold for me — no one knows.  I can only help move it in 
the right direction.  I am still single, since I am a workaholic but hope that 
someday the right women will come along.  I do believe in adoption, so a 
future family is still an option.