New Oxford Area Chamber of Commerce, The Antiques Capital of Central PA, New Oxford Area Chamber of Commerce

Each year The New Oxford Area Chamber of Commerce, recognizes an
outstanding individual. This individual does not have to be a member of
the Chamber or live in New Oxford. This person can be a male or female.
The individual is chosen from nominations sent to the Chamber.

The 2007 Person of the Year Dinner was held on April 1st, 2008 at Inn 94.

The New Oxford Area Chamber of Commerce honored J. Emmett Patterson, Hanover, as the organizations 2007 Person of Year. The Chamber recognized Patterson for his community involvements with area church and civic organizations, rec sports teams, and schools. A quiet and humble person, Patterson helps out a multitude of area organizations in numerous ways, wanting no recognition for himself.

Patterson has been involved with the Conewago Valley Soccer Club as a coach, vice president, president and president at large. He has sponsored teams since the club was founded. He started the Strides for Children with the Hanover YMCA which began as a 5K Run with proceeds going to children in need in the Hanover area. He is a board member of the Hershey Ronald McDonald House and a member of the Capital Campaign Committee, "The Room to Grow" which is raising money to expand the Ronald McDonald House in Hershey in order to serve more families.

Patterson is the Owner/Operator of 10 McDonald's Restaurants. He began his career with McDonald's in 1964 working as a part-time crew person in Albany, New York. He joined the McDonald's Corporation in 1969 working in all the mid-management positions. He was an area supervisor working with company owned stores, and a field consultant working with Owner/operators. He was a Professor at hamburger University in Oak Brook, IL where he went on to Training Manager and eventually Assistant Dean. Patterson moved to Central PA in 1991 where he was a three store owner/operator and now owns 10 McDonald's restaurants.

Tim Brodbeck, an assistant manager at the New Oxford McDonald's spoke of the opportunities Patterson has given to numerous young people looking for employment. Patterson is a firm believer that kids who are working need employment that works around their school schedules and not vise versa. Paul Irwin a field service manager said that Patterson was recognized in 2002 with the Ronald Award for the very same reasons the Chamber was recognizing him.

Patterson's community is important to him. He is constantly giving back in small and large ways because that is who he is.