Meet the Guardian Sports Gear™ Executive Team
Renee Patterson, Managing Partner/Founder
Product Design and Development with more than 20 years in business management and customer service across various industries, Renee oversees product development and philanthropic initiatives. The development of the Guardian Sports Gear product line was inspired by her lifelong passion for clothing design and fabrics. The parent of young athletes herself, she innovates apparel options that balance the family’s need for affordability and the durability with the comfort and personal style of the player. A youth ministry adviser, counselor and fundraiser for more than 15 years, she is a guiding force behind Malachi 3, a non-profit charitable organization to be established by Guardian Sports Gear to meet the needs of communities and local youth organizations.
Richard A Patterson, Managing Partner/Founder
Manufacturing, Distribution, Sales and Marketing with more than 20 years of sales and
marketing success in numerous vertical industries, including insurance and construction, Rich has overseen operations and management of retail sales relationships for a variety of multi-million dollar Construction and Real Estate companies he founded. While in the Insurance Industry, the team he was part of was the top producing sales agency for three consecutive years and in the top 10 in the other 2 years he was with the agency. He will also sit on the board of Malachi 3, the non-profit charitable organization being established by Guardian Sports Gear to meet the needs of local youth athletic teams as well as other social needs to be identified. Rich has also been involved with Youth Sports since his children could run. He has coached baseball, basketball, football, soccer and lacrosse, all at the youth level.
Richard Huxtable, - Chief Operating Officer, COO
Richard Huxtable is a high impact and hands-on operations executive. He brings 25 years of operations and technology expertise to the Guardian Sports Gear team. His customer centric approach and management disciplines, process development framework will bring a scalable framework to the GSG stakeholders. His experience in global business development, e-commerce, and government entities will make GSG and its partners a dynamic and growing business environment.
Richard brings over 20 years of global experience in solutions architecture and includes applications and integration of e-commerce, information technology and infrastructure projects. His structured attention to detail, business value enablement and consultative leadership will allow GSG operations to optimize efficiency through agile processes and technology innovations. In the past 11 years, he has served as a technology consultant for global retail clients, franchises and business partners. His industry relationships with Microsoft and corporate affiliates will enable a network of opportunities for GSG.
Richard has also been an athlete in many competitive sports at all levels. His collegiate wrestling career produced two academic all American awards, 2 regional finalists, an NJCAA national competitor, and the team captain. He has over 250 career wins in competitive wrestling events and AAU championships.
Richard is of Native American descent and as part of the GSG growth strategy, Guardian Sports Gear will have business partnerships in the Native American community and government contracting entities.
Tom Bergey - Executive Vice President of Marketing
Tom is a 20 year veteran in marketing and advertising. As owner of Bergey Creative Group, a Harleysville based ad agency, Tom was responsible for all creative direction and management of many regional and national accounts. Tom is most well known for building the brand and unique marketing for T.H. Properties, one of the region’s largest and fastest growing home builders. He directed 5 Superbowl campaigns for the builder, working with NFL Films, as well as hundreds of print and outdoor campaigns to help THP reach a milestone of well over $400 million in sales. Tom also conceived and managed the branding of the entire Citizens Bank Park Concession Campaign in Philadelphia, contracted by Aramark. Other regional and national campaigns managed by Tom and his company include: Tootsie Roll World Wide – “How many licks” remake • Complete branding, packaging and marketing for: Zeigler’s Apple Cider, Rosenberger’s Dairies, Leidy’s Meats, Tastee Apple – the largest caramel apple company in the nation, SB Global Foods for national and international distribution, Hawaii Roasters and Hunyady Auction Company. Tom has won numerous awards both regionally and nationally for his design and creativity and has served on many local chamber boards.
He and his wife, Michele, live in Harleysville PA with their three children.