Helping people prepare for, find, and keep good jobs is what Goodwill is about.

One of the many things to be admired about Pat is his ability to lead from his heart.

Retail Production Manager
Years of service: 39

It is with great pleasure to introduce to you this month’s Employee Spotlight Feature: Pat Ferrier. Pat began his career at Goodwill Industries of West Michigan in 1984 as a store manager, and was promoted to district manager, before assuming his current role as retail production manager; serving a total of 39 years and counting! One of the many things to be admired about Pat is his ability to lead from his heart. His father, Francis Ferrier was his role model because, “he took care of people.” It’s where his strong passion for helping others stems from. Pat has coached football, baseball, and softball respectively, in four different school districts and youth leagues over the past 40 years. While coaching football at Montague High School, he founded and created the school’s junior high football program as well. Although Pat began his career path studying political science and pre-law, he ultimately felt his calling was to work at Goodwill.

“I don’t think people really realize the work Goodwill is doing in the community,” he said. “Find out what is most important to you in life, then find work that enables you to have that life.” 

“E + R = O,” he explained. “Event, plus response, equals outcome. How you choose to respond to the events that happen in your life will determine the overall outcome.” This is a philosophy he shares with the teams he coaches, as well as the employees he mentors at Goodwill.

When Pat isn’t busy leading his teams and counseling youth at his church, he can be found traveling the country camping, hiking, climbing mountains, and visiting wineries. An avid wine connoisseur, he holds a wine club membership at Black Star Farms. Pat is the father of six children — four biological and two by marriage — as well as ten grandchildren, with an 11th on the way. Thank you, Pat, for your decades of service to the mission of Goodwill. You have made a profound impact on those around you and we’re so grateful for you.