Paloma Patino of Santa Rosa's West County Net wins Forty Under 40 award
Responsibilities with your company: Cross-disciplinary business strategist who heads up a team of highly talented techies. I am responsible for the health of our client partnerships and the business operations for our company.
How do you exemplify the spirit of being a top Forty Under 40 professional?: As a lifetime resident, I am deeply committed to Sonoma County. I proudly assist local businesses succeed in today's digital world.
Years with company: Six
Length of time in current position: Six years
Number of employees who report to you: Five
Greatest professional accomplishment: Growing West County with a shared vision in close cooperation with my partners.
Greatest professional challenge: Letting go of that which no longer suits me
Best advice received: Work hard and be nice to people
Single most important event in your professional life in the last 12 months: Purchasing West County Net from former shareholders with my partners.
What steps is your company taking to sustain your organization and morale in the current economy?: We enhance employee morale by offering a variety of avenues for professional growth and by actively showing gratitude for our employees' work. We understand that our company can only be successful when our team of talented individuals understand their worth and their value to the company, both as members of a team and as individuals.
Next professional goal: To further grow our company
Education: I am primarily self-taught and with my best education gained in the trenches. I have also pursued a wide range of formal training, including academic work with Lynda Weinman of Lynda.com and Microsoft Tech.
Hometown: Cazadero
Mentor/admired businessperson: Maureen Kringen, who was my first art director, and Richard Branson.
Typical day at the office: No two are the same.
Best place to work outside of your office: At a client's office.
Hobbies: Exploring with my kids, painting, dancing and catching meals with friends and family, traveling, gardening, and shopping.
What you wanted to be when you grew up: An artist
No. 1 thing you want to accomplish by the time you turn 40: I would like to visit Cuba, where my family is from.
First job: Checker at Occidental Market
Favorite book: “The Red Tent”
Favorite movie: “The Royal Tenenbaums”
Favorite after-work drink: LaCroix
Last vacation: Walt Disney World with the littles
What does your mom or dad brag most about you?: My dedication
