After more than 30 years in construction, entrepreneur and asphalt paving contractor Alfred Patterson believes one of the most important investments a person can make is in someone else’s future.
That belief has inspired the launch of Patterson’s personal “Build the Next Generation” initiative, an effort centered on mentorship, workforce development, leadership, and passing along practical knowledge to younger generations.
For Patterson, the initiative is not tied to a fundraising campaign or formal organization.
It is rooted in a simple idea.
Every generation benefits when experienced people take the time to teach, guide, and create opportunities for those coming behind them.
“The future of any industry depends on the people who come after us,” Patterson says. “We need more experienced workers, business owners, parents, coaches, and community leaders who are willing to share what they’ve learned.”
Based in Raymond, New Hampshire, Patterson has spent decades building businesses, managing projects, and helping develop employees throughout New England. His background includes commercial asphalt paving, parking lot construction, sealcoating, excavation, demolition, site development, project management, and business ownership.
Throughout that journey, he has hired, trained, mentored, and managed hundreds of employees.
Looking back, he believes many of the most important lessons he learned came from people who invested in him.
Lessons Passed Down Through Generations
Much of Patterson’s philosophy can be traced back to his father.
“My father was not only my father, but also my mentor, coach, employer, and closest friend,” Patterson says. “Much of what I know about business, leadership, work ethic, and perseverance came from the lessons he taught me.”
Growing up, Patterson observed how commitments were honored, how customers were treated, and how difficult situations were handled.
Those lessons shaped his understanding of leadership long before he owned a business.
“My father taught me that your reputation follows you everywhere,” Patterson says. “People remember whether you do what you say you’re going to do.”
Today, Patterson believes those same principles remain just as important for future generations.
More Than Workforce Development
While skilled trades remain an important focus, Patterson sees mentorship as something much broader.
He believes young people benefit from learning practical skills, but they also benefit from learning accountability, responsibility, consistency, and character.
Throughout his career, he has seen firsthand how confidence grows when someone is given an opportunity and a mentor willing to help them succeed.
Many of the employees Patterson worked with entered the industry with little experience.
Some were uncertain about their future.
Others simply needed someone willing to invest time in their development.
Over the years, he has watched workers develop technical skills, assume leadership responsibilities, and build successful careers of their own.
Those experiences helped reinforce a belief that mentorship often creates benefits far beyond the workplace.
“When someone grows, their family benefits,” Patterson says. “Their community benefits. Their future changes. That’s why investing in people matters.”
Leading by Example
One of the central ideas behind the Build the Next Generation initiative is that leadership begins with example.
Patterson has long believed that the most effective teachers are often the people who demonstrate values consistently rather than simply talking about them.
“I’ve learned that leadership isn’t about giving orders,” Patterson says. “It’s about being willing to work alongside people, teach them, and help them grow.”
That philosophy has guided how he manages projects, develops employees, and approaches community involvement.
Whether supporting local churches, helping people facing hardship, mentoring younger workers, or creating opportunities through business, Patterson believes small actions can have lasting effects.
He also believes learning is a lifelong responsibility.
“I strongly believe that learning never stops,” Patterson says. “The people who continue growing are the people who continue moving forward.”
A Responsibility to Leave Things Better
As a husband, father of four, business owner, and mentor, Patterson measures success differently than many people might expect.
For him, success is not defined solely by completed projects or business growth.
It is measured by relationships, impact, and the opportunities created for others.
“Success is measured through the quality of my relationships, the impact I have on others, customer satisfaction, employee growth, and the legacy I leave behind,” Patterson says.
That belief remains at the center of the Build the Next Generation initiative.
After more than three decades in construction, Patterson hopes to continue sharing the lessons he has learned while encouraging others to do the same.
“If each of us helps one person move forward,” he says, “that impact can continue for generations.”
To read the full interview, visit the website here.
About Alfred Patterson
Alfred Patterson is a Raymond, New Hampshire-based entrepreneur, asphalt paving contractor, and business owner with more than 30 years of experience in construction. His background includes commercial asphalt paving, parking lot construction, sealcoating, pavement maintenance, excavation, demolition, site development, project management, and workforce leadership. Throughout his career, he has hired, trained, mentored, and managed hundreds of employees while supporting community organizations, churches, workforce development, and mentorship initiatives throughout New England.
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