Patrick Smith
Where do you live? Alexandria, VA.
Current company and position? Senior Talent Acquisition Associate - alliantgroup & VP of Cultural Affairs and Outreach - Irish American Baseball Society.
First job and what it taught me? My first job was as an Usher at Jones Beach Theater on Long Island. I worked there every summer from the age of 14 until 23, moving up along the way from the ticket gate to Usher Supervisor. I learned how to interact with people from all walks of life at a young age, which prepared me to handle conflict, become comfortable communicating, and appreciate the value of taking on new challenges. I learned that if you set your mind to something and give it your best effort, no matter the difficulties, the results will follow. Of course, I also learned how to enjoy work when a band I wanted to see rolled through town!
How do you embrace your Irish heritage? My pride in my Irish heritage is central to who I am as a person. I was raised by a family deeply rooted and well-connected to our Irish roots and traditions, most notably by my Pop-Pop, who set the standard for what it means to be a proud Irishman. Growing up, my uncles, Chris and Kevin Foy, both represented the Irish National Baseball team, which, to me as a young kid, might as well have meant they played for the Yankees. That inspiration and connection to something that is so uniquely Irish-American led me, years later, to my work with the Irish American Baseball Society, where I have helped develop the first entirely Irish-American Baseball team, the Irish Wolfhounds, connected with countless Irish organizations around the country, spoken at the Irish Consulate in New York, and even stood on the field at Yankee Stadium to induct Jack Curry into the Irish American Baseball Hall of Fame. I have found that by doing my small part to share my Irish pride, I have opened countless doors, shared wonderful experiences, and connected with great people I would never have otherwise, and I wouldn't give that up for the world.
Something people would be surprised to know about me... I am a surprisingly good chef. During COVID, I embarked on a mission to learn how to cook, and I haven't stopped since. I've learned that one of the greatest joys in life for me these days is a compliment on a meal I've cooked for someone else.
Biography: Patrick Smith was born and raised in Massapequa, New York, on Long Island, and currently resides in Alexandria, VA, with his girlfriend Peri. He graduated from York College of Pennsylvania in 2016 and has since built a career in Talent Acquisition, currently with alliantgroup, a global professional services firm. He also serves as the Vice President of Cultural Affairs & Outreach for the Irish American Baseball Society, an organization dedicated to spreading Irish pride, educating on the Irish impact, and strengthening Irish-American relations through baseball.
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