Lori Patterson Presented with 2011 ATHENA Award

The Champaign County Chamber of Commerce has named Lori Gold Patterson, CEO of OJC Technologies, the recipient of the 2011 ATHENA award. Lori was presented with the award at a luncheon on February 17, 2011, at the Champaign Country Club. She is the 23rd recipient of the award locally, which honors individuals who assist other women in reaching their full leadership potential, demonstrate excellence, creativity, and initiative in their businesses or professions, and provide valuable service by devoting time and energy to improve the quality of life for others in the community. The ATHENA Award program is sponsored by the Champaign County Chamber of Commerce and Worden-Martin, Inc., corporate underwriter for the ATHENA Award program. 

Lori Gold Patterson is the CEO of OJC Technologies in Urbana. Since she has founded the computer programming and web development firm in 1998, the staff size has grown from 5 to 16 people, and annual revenue has increased forty-fold. Prior to her career at OJC, Lori worked for Anderson Consulting, Caterpillar, and Solo Cup. She left corporate America to create a different kind of business environment based on unconditional respect and trust, and one that, even in a highly competitive industry, would provide a place where she and all employees could achieve greatness without loss of personal dignity.

In addition to her work with OJC, Lori is involved with many volunteer organizations in Champaign County, including board member of the Champaign County Economic Development Corporation, a member and former president of the Urbana Business Association, and a member of the Executive Club of Champaign County. Lori also recetly received the Woman on the Rise Award from the Illinois State Treasurer's Office and is a 2009 graduate of Leadership Illinois.

Lori grew up in Champaign and received a BS in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Illinois. Her experiences in college and as a professional in the engineering and technology fields have inspired her to help other women reach their leadership potential, encouraging them to enter in and excel at male-dominated fields. She recently spoke at a YWCA young women's leadership conference, to the Women of Engineerings organization at the University of Illinois, and to the U of I Office of Equal Opportunity & Access. She is also a regular speaker at the Urbana High School Career Day. At OJC Technologies, she is conscious of the need to hire and encourage women in the technology field.

"Lori is a powerful voice in the Champaign-Urbana community and had demonstrated progressive leadership involvement in organizations dedicated to improving the lives of women and the entire community" says her nominator, Beth Katsinas.

Click here to view more pictures of the ATHENA Award program on the Champaign County Chamber of Commerce's Facebook page.

Click here to read the News-Gazette article by Don Dodson