I have been working at Patch for a little over five months, and I am still continually struck by the passion, energy, and brilliance of my colleagues. They are of course brilliant in themselves, but they are also animated by the great product that we are all serving. Patch has the ability to change fundamentally the lives of millions of Americans, plugging them into the world just a little past their doorstep that they never knew existed. People forget how young a company this is, because to its dedicated users, Patch is just like a trusted neighbor who has always been there and isn't about to leave any time soon.
Timothy Fasano, Marketing Coordinator, New York, NY
Karen Goff, Local Editor, Reston Patch
I made the transition from print to new media when I joined Patch in June of 2010. It is very exciting to be a part of a forward-thinking startup and using my writing skills - honed during a 20-year newspaper career - in a variety of new media and social media. In an era of local news cutting back, I truly believe Patch is filling a need in communities around the country. People come up to me every day in my community and say "I can't remember what we did before you! I never realized there is so much news here!" They know that whatever is going on, Patch will know about it and the community can discuss what is on their mind here. Patch's model of living and working in the community you cover is unique, and Patch editors as community insiders is the key to Patch's success. It also allows editors to have a flexible work-life balance that I appreciate immensely.
Shawn Drury, Local Editor, Mauldin Patch
On countless occasions I have been greeted warmly ("Hey, Patch is here!") when I've gone to cover an event. I'm not sure how many other media groups can say that.
David Mills, Associate Regional Editor, Northern California
Patch is a great venture to be part of for a number of reasons. First, it's the future. The Internet is how people get their news and information now. People are also hungering for local news as shrinking newspaper staffs no longer cover communities as closely. Patch meets both these needs. Patch's emphasis on being part of the community is also a key. It's fun to be part of something that connects with residents and people enjoy. Finally, the corporate climate and atmosphere at Patch is encouraging and inspiring. It's not only pleasant to work from home and coffee shops, but the responsiveness and teamwork at Patch makes the job exciting and fulfilling.
Zach Subar, Local Editor, Mt. Airy Patch
I've never had this much positive sort of freedom in a job before. It shows me that Patch really believes in its employees and that it trusts us to take the company in the right direction. It also allows me to shape coverage in a way that's pretty cool and groundbreaking, and in a way that allows me to connect with the neighborhood that I cover in the best way possible.
Craig Donofrio, Local Editor, Wilton Patch
I recently facilitated in the fixing of an 82-year-old's roof after she fell victim to a shoddy roofing job. I printed her letter and talked with her at length about why she should keep the letter on the site (she was very nervous about it) and I conceded to, under this very special circumstance, allow her to remain anonymous in her signature. And, low and behold, a month later, and before some of the harsher weather hit, the community responded and her roof was fixed!
See the original letter here: http://patch.com/A-pgzF
And the thank you letter here: http://patch.com/A-qvjR
Sometimes small victories make Patch great.
Liz Marmer, Regional Ad Manager, New York, NY
I love working at Patch because from the day I started (October 31, 2010) till this very moment, Patch is always changing, improving & growing. We have the great opportunities and resources that a company gets by being owned by AOL but at the same time, the values and creativity that a new start up has. We all love our communities, our clients, and our colleagues which makes Patch a fantastic place to work. Every day I strive to be as much a "walking marketing tool" as I can be by telling strangers not only about Patch but about why it's going to be something to keep an eye on, because it's just getting better.
Danna Walker, Regional Editor, Maryland
There are very few jobs in which you can dream up things you like, execute them and find out other people like them, too. It's an amazing laboratory for success and innovation. It is creating a Web space that has not been tapped or adequately filled and that is just about as exciting as it gets for a journalist.
John Dunphy, Local Editor, Morristown Patch
My experience with Patch has been like nothing I had, or would have had, in any other news outlet. Over the last 18 months, I have become so intimate with this 3-square-mile town, that while I am not from here, what happens here has become of the utmost importance to me. That's what Patch does; it brings everyone closer and closer to where they live.
Deb Belt, Associate Regional Editor, Iowa
I love Patch because it's embracing change, charting the course for its destiny, and encouraging creative thinking. I came to Patch from the newspaper industry, as most of my colleagues have, also. Compared to other jobs, Patch is a source of joy: we're encouraged to brainstorm, to care about our community, to show our readers we're people, and mingle with them to lift our communities up. All while also getting to break news and keep readers informed about what matters most to them: their neighborhoods and schools. What a fun calling.
