A Unique Career Progression
Born and raised in the small town of Delta, Utah, Patrick discovered a passion for working with his hands. At 17, he joined the U.S. Marine Corps, serving from 1996 to 2003 as a mortarman in a light reconnaissance unit.
“I enjoyed my time in the Marines,” he says. “You basically have another family. I still keep in touch with some of those people after all these years.”
While serving, Patrick took up taekwondo. That hobby turned into a full-time venture when he opened his own martial arts school. After leaving the service, he continued to teach and operate the school in Tooele, Utah.
Due to life changes, Patrick closed the school and transitioned into a new role. His friends offered him a job running gas lines for an HVAC company near Salt Lake City. After 15 years, Patrick had developed new skills and a passion for fixing things, but the long, demanding hours led to the decision to pursue a career change.
Finding a New Purpose at Janicki
Inspired by his brother, who had worked as a mill technician, Patrick searched for local job opportunities and found an opening at Janicki. Starting as a mill technician, he quickly became known for his ability to troubleshoot and improve equipment. Within six months, he was invited to join the maintenance team.
Now, as a facilities maintenance technician, Patrick’s days are full of variety. From preventive maintenance on mills to repairing forklifts, electrical systems, plumbing and more, he helps keep Janicki’s operations running smoothly.
“The best part of my job is getting to fix and make things more efficient for our techs to do their job better,” he says. “I am given free rein to fix whatever I can.”
One of his largest projects was developing a system to flush and replace vacuum lines for mill fixtures—an essential component that keeps parts in place during milling. He’s also learned new skills like metrology, proving that even with years of experience, there’s always something new to learn.
Beyond the Job
Off the clock, Patrick doesn’t slow down. He runs Ryan’s Resin Creations, a small business that makes resin crafts and 3D-printed items ranging from dragon eggs to custom cutting boards. Many of his coworkers proudly own one-of-a-kind pieces he’s created.
He also enjoys hunting, traveling for deep-sea fishing trips, and spending time with his wife, Julia, and their six children. “They’re growing up and figuring out what they want to do with their lives,” he says with pride.
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