Jacqueline L. Patterson, P.E., President, J.L. Patterson & Associates, Inc. on Entrepreneurship

Winter Quarter 2012 Entrepreneurship Seminar Series

Featuring Jacqueline L. Patterson, P.E.

President

J.L. Patterson & Associates, Inc.

Free and open to the public

Bio

Jacqueline L. Patterson, P.E., is president and founder of J.L. Patterson & Associates, a group of progressive technical professionals in Civil/Trackwork Engineering headquartered in Orange, California. Patterson’s expertise encompasses all aspects of railroad engineering from conceptual design to construction management and contract administration.  She practices in light rail, heavy rail, commuter rail and freight rail projects.  Her work can be seen on the Metro Blue Line (Los Angeles to Long Beach), on the Union Pacific Boulder Branch Relocation Project, at Las Vegas McCarran International Airport, and the Metrolink Commuter Rail Project.  In addition, Patterson has conducted numerous constructability reviews for these types of projects.

Patterson left her war-torn country in 1978 to attend Concordia University in Montreal.  She received both her Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees in Civil Engineering from Concordia University where she was awarded the school’s prestigious Civil Engineering Medal. Beginning her career by providing engineering design services on LACMTA’s Metro Red Line, Segment I, Patterson went on to form her own company in 1990.  Since then, her company has provided key services for the Metro Rail Projects and Commuter Rail Project.  Most recently, her company made the jump from Subconsultant to Prime Consultant on the Metrolink Project, a project that she says embodies the importance of passenger rail service to Southern California society, “Passenger rail projects provide a better quality of life for a great number of people.”

Patterson’s leadership qualities derive from her constant desire to provide the best technical expertise available in a very ethical manner.  “The technical aspect is of the utmost importance to the product we deliver, and the ethics are at the core of everything we do.  Our work is ultimately about helping mobilize people and goods to achieve progress.”



Patterson’s mission to set new standards for technical excellence and ethical professionalism have been recognized by the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers, who named her Business Woman of the Year in 1994, and by the American Society of Civil Engineers, who chose Patterson as their Vice President of the Los Angeles Area in charge of Technical Groups in 1999.  She is also a member of the American Railway Engineering Association, Women’s Transportation Seminar (WTS), and the National Society of Professional Engineers.  WTS-Orange County Chapter recognized Patterson's firm in 2005 when they were awarded “Employer of the Year.”  Her firm was selected by CE News as one of the Best Civil Engineering Companies to work for in 2006.

The Entrepreneurship Seminar Series provides a real-world introduction to the theory and practice of entrepreneurship.  Through a series of presentations by prestigious entrepreneurs and industry leaders, participants will explore the various organizational, strategic and financial challenges facing successful and unsuccessful entrepreneurs.  Topics include start-up strategies, business idea evaluation, business plan writing, and introduction to venture capital.



For a complete listing of Entrepreneurship Seminar Series guest speakers, please visit http://www.eng.uci.edu/events/entseminars.