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Chattanooga native and his son create flotation device company, moving operations into Peerless Woolen Mills

Four of the six team members stand outside one of the old Peerless Woolen Mills buildings in Rossville where Phillip Patrick, second from right, is PFE Group, Inc., Chief Executive Officer. Chandler Patrick, second from left, is COO. Rochelle Beene, left, and Beth Bullion.
Four of the six team members stand outside one of the old Peerless Woolen Mills buildings in Rossville where Phillip Patrick, second from right, is PFE Group, Inc., Chief Executive Officer. Chandler Patrick, second from left, is COO. Rochelle Beene, left, and Beth Bullion. Four of the six team members stand outside one of the old Peerless Woolen Mills buildings in Rossville where Phillip Patrick, second from right, is PFE Group, Inc., Chief Executive Officer. Chandler Patrick, second from left, is COO. Rochelle Beene, left, and Beth Bullion.

By Patrick Filbin 5 min read

Phillip Patrick is ready for his next chapter.

He’s ready to do right by the community that helped raise him, by his family that looks up to him and by other communities around the country where he sees opportunity.

Years ago, the Chattanooga native got into some trouble and ended up serving seven years in jail for selling drugs. He doesn’t hide from his past. He uses it to shape his future.

“I feel like everyone should have an opportunity to grow,” he said. “When I was in the street, you could say that I was taking from people’s lives. Now I’m giving back.”

While he was in jail, Patrick focused on broadening his horizons and making sure he was prepared for life on the outside. He read books for the first time, studied successful business leaders and made a plan for when he got out.