Executive Focus
Mick Pattinson and Barratt American fulfill the American dream
Barratt American was established in 1980 in Southern California. Their history is tied to British homebuilder Barratt, the U.K.'s largest building firm, founded in 1958. Over the past 25 years, Barratt American has built more than 17,000 homes in San Diego, Orange and Riverside counties. They became a private, independently owned company in 2004.
Executive's name: Michael "Mick" Pattinson
Title: President/CEO
Company name: Barratt American Incorporated
Address: 5950 Priestly Drive, Carlsbad
Phone: (760) 431-0800
Web site: www.barrattamerican.com
Founded: 1980
Prior experience: Prior to working in the homebuilding industry, I worked as a residential sales agent and before that as an architectural technician in England.
Source of starting capital: Barratt American was part of a public company headquartered in England. They opened a U.S. Division in 1980.
2003 revenues: $202 million
2004 revenues: $305 million
Average hours worked weekly: It's certainly not 40 hours a week!
Number of teammates: 135
Residence: Encinitas
Family: My son, David, is a land buyer based in Escondido and my daughter, Nina, is a student at the London School of Economics
Hobbies: Golf and soccer. I also like to follow other sports, politics, history and travel.
What got you into this business? A background in architecture and real estate sales prepared me for a career in homebuilding.
What makes your business a standout? We offer products to a wide variety of customers, including first time purchasers, move-up and luxury homebuyers. We build everything from small, eight-lot custom home sites to 1,300-unit communities. We apply high standards of quality and customer service to all of our purchasers.
Drawbacks to your line of business: Government regulation.
Why is your company located in Carlsbad? Carlsbad allows us to serve markets in San Diego, Orange, and South Riverside counties. It is an appealing city for our employees, many of whom reside in and around Carlsbad.
How do you plan to grow? Organically through our three-division structure focused on San Diego County, the Inland Empire and urban infill. We hope to double our size over the next three to four years.
Toughest career decision: In 1991, Barratt American was forced to down-size from over 200 employees to about 75 in response to the real estate depression caused by the Resolution Trust Corporation and market forces. There were a lot of tough decisions at that time.
Ongoing challenges: Government regulations.
Best way to stay competitive: Give your customers what they want, where they want it, at the best price you can deliver.
In five years, where would you like your business to be? We would like to double the size of our company over the next five years without compromising our quality, service or reputation.
What does your company contribute to the Carlsbad community? We are providing houses to the Carlsbad community at Bressi Ranch. Several of our employees live in Carlsbad and pay property taxes to the city. Most of our employees contribute to the local economy with their purchases. We support local organizations such as the Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce and the Boys and Girls Club. We use venues in the city for meetings and seminars.
What are your guiding principles? To be entrepreneurial. To respect those that we do business with. To act with integrity at all times and to be a benefit to the local community.
What's one thing other people do not know about you? I got into the homebuilding business after I failed in my ambition to be a professional soccer player.
What would you change if you could do it all over again? Nothing. I am a country boy from England who never imagined that he would lead and be part owner of a significant homebuilding company operating in one of the most invigorating markets in the world.
Choice for a second career: Professional soccer player.
People you look up to and why: Winston Churchill, because he never quit.
Favorite movie: Cinderella Man
Favorite quote: "An appeaser is one who feeds the crocodile, hoping it will eat him last."
Advice for new entrepreneurs: Never give up!
Mick Pattinson and Barratt American fulfill the American dream
Barratt American was established in 1980 in Southern California. Their history is tied to British homebuilder Barratt, the U.K.'s largest building firm, founded in 1958. Over the past 25 years, Barratt American has built more than 17,000 homes in San Diego, Orange and Riverside counties. They became a private, independently owned company in 2004.
Executive's name: Michael "Mick" Pattinson
Title: President/CEO
Company name: Barratt American Incorporated
Address: 5950 Priestly Drive, Carlsbad
Phone: (760) 431-0800
Web site: www.barrattamerican.com
Founded: 1980
Prior experience: Prior to working in the homebuilding industry, I worked as a residential sales agent and before that as an architectural technician in England.
Source of starting capital: Barratt American was part of a public company headquartered in England. They opened a U.S. Division in 1980.
2003 revenues: $202 million
2004 revenues: $305 million
Average hours worked weekly: It's certainly not 40 hours a week!
Number of teammates: 135
Residence: Encinitas
Family: My son, David, is a land buyer based in Escondido and my daughter, Nina, is a student at the London School of Economics
Hobbies: Golf and soccer. I also like to follow other sports, politics, history and travel.
What got you into this business? A background in architecture and real estate sales prepared me for a career in homebuilding.
What makes your business a standout? We offer products to a wide variety of customers, including first time purchasers, move-up and luxury homebuyers. We build everything from small, eight-lot custom home sites to 1,300-unit communities. We apply high standards of quality and customer service to all of our purchasers.
Drawbacks to your line of business: Government regulation.
Why is your company located in Carlsbad? Carlsbad allows us to serve markets in San Diego, Orange, and South Riverside counties. It is an appealing city for our employees, many of whom reside in and around Carlsbad.
How do you plan to grow? Organically through our three-division structure focused on San Diego County, the Inland Empire and urban infill. We hope to double our size over the next three to four years.
Toughest career decision: In 1991, Barratt American was forced to down-size from over 200 employees to about 75 in response to the real estate depression caused by the Resolution Trust Corporation and market forces. There were a lot of tough decisions at that time.
Ongoing challenges: Government regulations.
Best way to stay competitive: Give your customers what they want, where they want it, at the best price you can deliver.
In five years, where would you like your business to be? We would like to double the size of our company over the next five years without compromising our quality, service or reputation.
What does your company contribute to the Carlsbad community? We are providing houses to the Carlsbad community at Bressi Ranch. Several of our employees live in Carlsbad and pay property taxes to the city. Most of our employees contribute to the local economy with their purchases. We support local organizations such as the Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce and the Boys and Girls Club. We use venues in the city for meetings and seminars.
What are your guiding principles? To be entrepreneurial. To respect those that we do business with. To act with integrity at all times and to be a benefit to the local community.
What's one thing other people do not know about you? I got into the homebuilding business after I failed in my ambition to be a professional soccer player.
What would you change if you could do it all over again? Nothing. I am a country boy from England who never imagined that he would lead and be part owner of a significant homebuilding company operating in one of the most invigorating markets in the world.
Choice for a second career: Professional soccer player.
People you look up to and why: Winston Churchill, because he never quit.
Favorite movie: Cinderella Man
Favorite quote: "An appeaser is one who feeds the crocodile, hoping it will eat him last."
Advice for new entrepreneurs: Never give up!