Patrick Kennedy

Director of Operations

pkennedy@valeriedenney.com

Patrick Kennedy is at his best when the job becomes a pressure cooker—even when the job is to operate the pressure cooker, itself.

From working the short-order cook line at McDonald’s when he was a teenager to a four-year stint managing operations at the office of the highest elected official in the State of Illinois, Patrick has always thrived in fast-paced environments.

Before joining Valerie Denney Communications (VDC), Patrick managed the Chicago office of Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich at the James R. Thompson Center.  And while VDC may not be home to VIPs, Patrick is no less committed to doing the job ASAP. He brings nearly a decade of high-level management experience and serves as the office guru on financial, technical and operational affairs. He aids VDC’s leadership in making important decisions about the business’ future and ensures the office always has what it needs to get the job done.

Emergency press conference in one hour? Patrick prepares the VDC office for a possible throng of media in a flash. Blackberry crashes? Patrick’s there to troubleshoot. Client needs to review an invoice? Patrick has the file located in the blink of an eye.

What’s his secret? “I take a moment to see the big picture and then quickly figure out how I can fill in all the little details,” he shares.

Always willing to learn new things, Patrick combines classroom teachings with real world experience. Early on while studying culinary arts at Kendall College, he cooked delicacies at a local catering company. Then came his interest in business … and while taking business classes, he helped prepare tax returns for frantic customers during tax season at an accounting firm.

While such hectic environments would stress out the average employee, Patrick went on to work at places with even higher stakes, managing the books and office space for an options trading firm at the Chicago Board of Options Exchange before leaving for the Governor’s Office.

A native of the Southwest Burbs, Patrick is a “huge” White Sox fan and resident sports buff at VDC. Amongst friends he’s the go-to guy for anything from questions about a new computer to help updating a resume.

Patrick is currently pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Finance at Roosevelt University. Next on his to-do list? A Masters Degree in Business Management.