Meet the
Paterson Team
Pete Richardson
Cofounder and Partner
Pete has guided over 1,000 individuals and hundreds of organizations through the Paterson Process over the last 25+ years. He started guiding Otter Products through the Process when they were at $6MM, and has continued with them through their growth to a $1BN+ company, attributing much of that growth to StratOp. Pete now dedicates his time to working with clients, developing guides, innovating on the process, and creating content to help many more people experience the profound impact of the Paterson Process. Pete lives with his wife Janet in Louisville, CO. They have 2 grown kids, both married, and a growing tribe of grandchildren.
Jason Baker
CEO and Partner
With a deep passion for coaching leadership teams and optimizing their performance, Jason is dedicated to empowering clients to achieve significant impact through the effective implementation of strategic planning and resource synergy. He is well-versed in strategic leadership across various sectors, including small and large businesses, ministries, non-profit organizations, schools, and sports teams. He serves Paterson as CEO, Partner, and master of the perfect sports analogy. He is an alumnus of the University of Iowa Tippie School of Business and has successfully completed the Executive Program for Business Management and Entrepreneurship at the prestigious Wharton School of Business, Pennsylvania University. He lives in North Carolina with his wife Carol Lindsey, and their two children.
Zach Miller
Partner
After a successful 19-year tenure at Lowe's Home Improvement, Zach transitioned from his role as Vice President of Lowe's Global Sourcing, Private Brands, and Quality Assurance in 2018 to a Partner at Paterson in 2022. Throughout his career, Zach has sought to help those he works with to seek and find the strategic high ground. Today, he leverages his experience to provide strategic guidance to companies across various industries, assisting them to achieve breakthrough growth and to strengthen partnerships. He holds a bachelor's degree in business administration as well as a master's degree in business administration, both earned from Wake Forest University. Zach currently resides in Mooresville, NC with his wife, Anna, and their four children.
Stacey Pearson
Partner
With 25 years of operations leadership and business facilitation experience, Stacey has successfully guided strategic and operational planning for diverse businesses and nonprofits. Her extensive background includes IT management consulting for PwC, directing service delivery programs and Lean Kaizen deployment at Level 3 Communications, and serving as Director of Business Performance Excellence and StratOp at OtterBox. Specializing in scaling organizations through transformational change, Stacey prioritizes caring for people and culture to foster effective leadership. She currently serves as Paterson's Chief of Client Services, enhancing client excellence, and leads the nonprofit strategic partnerships in the anti-human trafficking arena. Stacey lives with her husband Aaron and two daughters in Timnath, CO.
DeAnza Jarrett
Vice President
DeAnza is a seasoned Guide of the Paterson Process, specializing in LifePlan for nearly 10 years. Prior to joining Paterson, she built and led the first Key Account Support team at OtterBox as the company experienced tremendous growth. In her passion for optimizing people, she coaches and encourages others to fully embrace their potential. DeAnza lives in Denver, CO with her husband, Mike, and their daughter.
Michael Chiarelli
Vice President
Michael, a leader with 18 years of facilitation experience, is passionate about helping organizations clarify and advance compelling visions and achieve healthy growth. With experience across the business, non-profit, education, and public sectors, he first experienced the Paterson Process as a client while managing investments and charitable giving for a family office. Michael plays a pivotal role in propelling Paterson forward through his strategic guidance. He, his wife Amber, and their two girls reside in Denver, CO, are actively engaged in their community's growth and development.
Erik Jacobson
Vice President
Erik is a trusted and respected advisor, partnering with influential leaders and their teams to unleash their full potential and drive impactful results. With a strong belief in the power of individual and team development, he excels in aligning it with organizational strategies and objectives. Erik's background includes an undergraduate degree in Economics and a Masters degree in Marriage and Family Counseling. Over the decade, he has successfully facilitated the Paterson Process for hundreds of individuals, families, teams, and organizations, leveraging his diverse professional experience in business and nonprofit leadership. Based near Dallas, Texas, Erik resides with his wife, Melissa, and their two boys, pursuing the principles of integration and fulfillment in both professional and personal life - and learning from a multitude of failures along the way.
Scott Hitzel
Vice President
Scott is a transformational strategic advisor who is on a mission of igniting the human spirit and the souls of organizations that seek to make unique impacts in the world. Throughout his 25+ years of leading and building organizations Scott has uncovered remarkable stories of what happens when people believe in a brighter future and their ability to build it together, then operationalize their vision through a proven world class system. In addition to leading as a Paterson Guide, Scott graduated with a masters in organizational leadership from Biola University, was certified in DEI through Cornell, and serves Paterson LifePlan clients. He is an avid cyclist who lives in Pasadena, CA with his wife, Lisa, and identical twin sons.
Jessica Archer
Vice President
Jessica is a dynamic professional, skilled in guiding clients from complex problems to energized, results-oriented solutions. Her experience spans strategic planning, product management, integrated business planning (IBP), and management consulting with certifications as a Lean Six Sigma Black Belt, Prosci Change Management Professional, and a Master’s Degree in Communication. Jessica leverages this experience to drive transformational change and organizational excellence in ways that always prioritize people and relationships. Jessica is a proud Midwesterner at heart (and still regularly uses the phrase “Uff-da”), but now happily resides in Timnath, CO, with her husband and two children who collectively serve as a foster family to babies, teenagers, and every age and stage in between.
Sam Donnelly
President, Paterson Center
Sam currently leads the Paterson Center as we transition from a license-based model to a franchise, coordinating the training, support, and development of independent Paterson Guides. As a former Paterson client, he certified in both StratOp and LifePlan in 2016. After serving 20+ years in the Army, Sam worked in two successful technology start-ups, leveraging StratOp as a tool for focus, alignment, and prioritization of work efforts. He graduated from West Point, holds a masters degree in strategic planning from the Naval War College, and earned an MBA from Vanderbilt University. Sam lives in Franklin, TN with his wife Ashley and their three children, Sami Grace, Anna Lou, and Elijah.
Stephanie Morris
Account Manager
Stephanie is focused on supporting and equipping clients to successfully execute their plans. Her passion is in driving effectiveness and progress forward. She also serves as our internal StratOp Champion, leading key initiatives and keeping our internal StratOp aligned and progressing. Stephanie lives with her husband, Ashton, and two children in Livermore, CO.
Kim Edmond
Client Specialist
With meticulous attention to detail and a keen understanding of needs, Kim plays a pivotal role in delivering a unique and premium experience for our clients and Guide community. Her expertise lies in organizing and equipping our community with everything they need to be successful. She naturally fosters team connection with her care and thoughtfulness. Kim, her husband Damon, and their two kids live in Castle Rock, CO.
Michele Chester
Executive Assistant and Client Specialist
Michele serves as both Executive Assistant, and dedicated Client Specialist for numerous organizations. She excels in providing outstanding customer experiences and thrives on cultivating long lasting client relationships. Her ability to integrate the dynamic components of our StratOp delivery ensures smooth operation at every step, and her perpetual positive attitude always brings on the sunshine. She and her daughter live in Fort Collins, CO.
Meg Jacobson
Executive Assistant and Client Specialist
Meg is an indispensable member of the Paterson team, bringing her expertise as Executive Assistant, Client Specialist, and LifePlan guide serving clients in their journey toward personal and professional fulfillment. Her dependable and calm presence serves as the backbone of LifePlan client operations. Meg lives in Alexandria, MN.