When Pat joined Internode in 1998, he was employee number 12. Since then the company has grown to more than 250 people, established itself as a national broadband innovator and become a much more complex organisation.

"Internode has been a fast-paced business that hasn't slowed down", reflects Pat, whose days are filled with meetings to cope with the competing demands of HR issues, regulatory hurdles, logistics planning, financial forecasts and the non-stop rollout of new technology.

"When I joined the company, 70 per cent of our business was dedicated to the corporate and government sector. Now we operate a 50/50 split between corporate/government business and residential Internet services across the country."

Pat joined Internode from the media and entertainment industry, after eight years with Greater Union Village Roadshow Group and two years with EMI Music. This background of using state-of-the-art technology within the broadcast and cinema sectors gave him a deep understanding of the business value of technology.

The Sydneysider contributed broad management experience to Internode as it went through its first growth spurt. "I moved to Adelaide from Sydney with my family to get away from the hustle and bustle and do some work that really makes a difference", Pat says. "I have certainly achieved that with Internode and the enthusiasm of the team really shows."

With more than half its customers based interstate, Internode has opened offices in Sydney and Melbourne.

Pat says Internode's success is due to its ability to focus on customer relationships. "We don't use traditional advertising because we've learnt that customers are more interested in having a reliable service that speaks for itself", he says.

"They value a responsive support team focused on delivering value. The referrals and support we gain through the industry are amazing."

Pat says the telecommunications sector is currently in a state of flux due to increasing convergence of telecoms, computing and media. "We've always been focused on becoming a market leader in bringing helpful technology to market", he says. "That's where I believe we are making a difference."

Pat's busy life doesn't stay at work. As well as enjoying time with his children, Pat has an adventurous streak that has taken him to Europe, the Middle East, China, the US and Vanuatu as well as Hawaii, where he watched molten rock spewing from a live volcano. "I love music, the theatre, and generally chilling out, but real adventure is heading off for an exciting holiday."