“Exit Interview” with Randy Patterson

This past spring the Authorities bid a fond farewell to long-time staff member and Executive Director Randy Patterson, who left to become the City of Lancaster’s Director of Economic Development and Neighborhood Revitalization.  Randy first came to the Authorities in September 1977 and over the years served as Administrative Assistant, Deputy Director of Administration and Community Development, Deputy Executive Director and, for seven years, Executive Director.  This interview was conducted just prior to his leaving for the City.

 FOCUS:             What changes have you seen in Lancaster County since you started with the
                              Authority?

 PATTERSON:  The biggest change is (there has been) a concerted effort to manage growth, to
                              preserve its agricultural heritage.  Number two, recently there’s been a
                             recognition of the importance of affordable housing, a desire (for the County) to
                             revitalize the boroughs of the City, its urban areas.

Q:    What do you consider you greatest accomplishments as Executive Director?

A:    Without question, one is the (Clipper Magazine baseball) stadium.  Not just building it, but the impact its had on the City of Lancaster.  (Also, I’ve been)  hoping to keep the focus on the need for affordable housing.  With the Authority, (it would be) the number of smaller-scale projects that we  assisted in developing, both for families and the elderly.  Five to 60 units. Many of the early projects were developed by utilizing vacant buildings - (former) industrial sites, etc.

Q:    What has been your biggest disappointment?

A:    Probably, that we still need to deal with NIMBYism (Not In My Back Yard) in some communities.  Despite the quality projects that we’ve done, that is an issue that still comes up.

Q:    What will you miss most about the Authorities?

A:     For one is the staff.  We have an excellent staff, and they’re committed to our goals.  Part of what I’ll miss is (also) working with the people from the boroughs and the townships that we’ve assisted over the years.  There are some very committed people in the County who work behind the scenes.

Q:    What led you to accept your new position with the City?

A:     With my degree in Urban Affairs, I’ve always wanted to work at a city level.  What excited me is to work in a city of 55,000 people and working in that environment. . .It’s more of an issue that right now is a very exciting time in the City of Lancaster.  It was just an opportunity I didn’t think I could pass up. . .(even though) it’s a little outside my comfort zone.

Q:    What do you see as the greatest opportunities and/or challenges in your new position?  

A:     It’s both an opportunity and a challenge - to get all the diverse groups in the City to work together toward a common vision of what the City could be. . . Finding the resources to do what we want to do is one of the biggest challenges.  To build additional residential opportunities in the City for all income levels. . .I’m still a supporter of the City Convention Center.  I think  it will work.  It depends on a strong management and marketing organization.

 Q:   What words of advice would you give your eventual successor at the Authorities?  [Note:  This interview was conducted before a new Executive Director had been chosen or hired.]

A:    The best words of advice (I could give):  There are a lot of good organizations and committed people in this County, (and) to be most successful, he or she should work with these organizations and individuals and use the talents and expertise this County has.

The staff and the Board of the Authorities want to thank Randy for his many years of dedication and enthusiasm in service to the County of Lancaster and wish him all the best in his new job!