The Paterson Center

The Paterson Center is the sponsoring institution that trains and certifies facilitators for both the LifePlan and StratOp. The founder of the Paterson Center and the mastermind behind both the StratOp and LifePlan is Tom Paterson. Tom developed and equipped a number of talented and experienced men and women to run the Paterson Center, and today they continue to pass the baton of Tom’s legacy to a new generation of certified LifePlan and StratOp facilitators.

Tom Paterson

Tom Paterson is an internationally distinguished business strategist, process-management consultant, author, inventor, teacher, and mentor.

From the Paterson center website:

“Tom’s accomplishments are too many to number, but a few of the highlights include: holding the first patent on the ATM pin technology, developing the world’s first lightweight camcorder, working with the Disney brothers to design and engineer Space Mountain, and being commissioned by Ronald Reagan to open up the Chinese economy. Tom had a successful career with IBM, RCA, and others, before launching his own consulting and facilitation business.”

For more than 30 years, Tom helped Fortune 500 companies develop strategic business plans. He also partnered with Peter Drucker (hailed by BusinessWeek as “the man who invented management”) assisting marketplace leaders, and Peter called Tom “the most effective consultant in the country.”

Born in 1925, Tom married his wife Ginny at the age of 18. They had four children and adopted another three. Ginny died of cancer in the late 1990s, and three of their four biological children have also passed away. Tom lives in Fort Collins, CO.

Now in his 90s, Tom remains focused, passionate, and productive, helping the Paterson Center pass on his legacy processes (LifePlan and StratOps) to skilled facilitators who help individuals and organizations discover and live out their unique purposes in an ever-changing world.

Here are a few snapshots of legend Tom Paterson. The first two are of Tom and me at the completion of my LifePlan and StratOp facilitator certifications. The third photo shows Tom with Pete Richardson, a Paterson Center Master Facilitator, who was my trainer.