2012 Distinguished Alumnus Award Winner
One of the top media brokers in the communications industry, Larry Patrick, managing partner of Patrick Communications LLC, has handled more than 600 radio and 180 television broadcasting deals worth more than $8 billion during his career. He has also consulted with dozens of broadcast and cable companies and 40 financial institutions. Considered the pre-eminent broadcast workout and restructuring expert in the industry, Patrick is the IRS’s appraiser of choice for broadcast valuations. In addition, he currently owns 23 radio stations and part of 10 television stations in states including Wyoming, Iowa, Massachusetts, Missouri, and San Francisco. His most recent venture is a digital media marketing company, Target Digital Solutions, with several dozen clients in 10 states.
Patrick credits UT for showing him the importance of strong research and writing. He recalls the positive influence that his professors had on him and has devoted his career to understanding, educating, and sharing his deep knowledge about the broadcasting and cable industry with entrepreneurs, students, professors, and the public.
Supporting the university in various roles, he served as chair of the College of Communication and Information’s Board of Visitors from 2002 to 2007 and continues to be a longtime member. He most recently served as chair of the college’s capital campaign committee. He’s an avid supporter of the College of Communication and Information, hosting receptions across the country for CCI alumni and media professionals. He has established the Herb Howard Distinguished Professorship, which his estate gift will eventually convert to a faculty chair.
Patrick received CCI’s Donald G Hileman Award in 1995, and in 2013, the college’s auditorium was named the Patrick Auditorium in his honor. In 2017, he was chosen as one of UT’s 100 Distinguished Alumni, and in 2018, he delivered CCI’s commencement speech.
An active community member, Patrick is involved with several organizations. He currently serves on the board of the Bayliss Foundation and as a member of the Cody, Wyoming Buckle Club. Previously, he served as chairman of the National Association of Broadcasters Political Action Committee and the National Association of Media Brokers and the Broadcast Education Association. He has also held stints on the boards of Chesapeake Bay Outward Bound, the Yellowstone Park Foundation, and Hurricane Island Outward Bound.
How do you define success?
Success is doing something that you love that brings you real satisfaction and allows you to make a difference in the lives of others.
How did UT affect your life?
UT showed me the importance of strong research and writing. It most importantly opened my eyes to college-level teaching and making a difference in the lives of students. I was really fortunate to have some great teachers while at UT. I owe them a great debt of gratitude and have honored some of them by endowing scholarships in their names. I always have seen Tennessee as the turning point in my life when I grew up, when I learned to appreciate learning.
One of the top media brokers in the communications industry, Larry Patrick, managing partner of Patrick Communications LLC, has handled more than 600 radio and 180 television broadcasting deals worth more than $8 billion during his career. He has also consulted with dozens of broadcast and cable companies and 40 financial institutions. Considered the pre-eminent broadcast workout and restructuring expert in the industry, Patrick is the IRS’s appraiser of choice for broadcast valuations. In addition, he currently owns 23 radio stations and part of 10 television stations in states including Wyoming, Iowa, Massachusetts, Missouri, and San Francisco. His most recent venture is a digital media marketing company, Target Digital Solutions, with several dozen clients in 10 states.
Patrick credits UT for showing him the importance of strong research and writing. He recalls the positive influence that his professors had on him and has devoted his career to understanding, educating, and sharing his deep knowledge about the broadcasting and cable industry with entrepreneurs, students, professors, and the public.
Supporting the university in various roles, he served as chair of the College of Communication and Information’s Board of Visitors from 2002 to 2007 and continues to be a longtime member. He most recently served as chair of the college’s capital campaign committee. He’s an avid supporter of the College of Communication and Information, hosting receptions across the country for CCI alumni and media professionals. He has established the Herb Howard Distinguished Professorship, which his estate gift will eventually convert to a faculty chair.
Patrick received CCI’s Donald G Hileman Award in 1995, and in 2013, the college’s auditorium was named the Patrick Auditorium in his honor. In 2017, he was chosen as one of UT’s 100 Distinguished Alumni, and in 2018, he delivered CCI’s commencement speech.
An active community member, Patrick is involved with several organizations. He currently serves on the board of the Bayliss Foundation and as a member of the Cody, Wyoming Buckle Club. Previously, he served as chairman of the National Association of Broadcasters Political Action Committee and the National Association of Media Brokers and the Broadcast Education Association. He has also held stints on the boards of Chesapeake Bay Outward Bound, the Yellowstone Park Foundation, and Hurricane Island Outward Bound.
How do you define success?
Success is doing something that you love that brings you real satisfaction and allows you to make a difference in the lives of others.
How did UT affect your life?
UT showed me the importance of strong research and writing. It most importantly opened my eyes to college-level teaching and making a difference in the lives of students. I was really fortunate to have some great teachers while at UT. I owe them a great debt of gratitude and have honored some of them by endowing scholarships in their names. I always have seen Tennessee as the turning point in my life when I grew up, when I learned to appreciate learning.
