Patrice Carroll

President & CEO
ImOn Communications

Laureate 2023

As president and CEO of ImOn Communications, Patrice Carroll has led the company's transition from an internet startup to a fast-growing player in the Corridor's telecommunications market. Her success in the male-dominated industry can be attributed to several factors, including a math, technology and systems engineering background. Patrices daughter Molly said, My mom is the most logical person I have ever met. She loves problem solving and is always happy to talk about ideas and projects. She is also incredibly loving, quirky, and an incredible role model to me as I grew up watching her work and have seen the way shes added to the Cedar Rapids community.

Growing up in a military family, Patrice had to move a lot, which made her resilient, adaptable, and flexible in the face of change. This opportunity also encouraged her not to be afraid to try new things or learn something new. These qualities have helped her stay ahead of the curve in an industry that is constantly reinventing itself. Beginning her career in programming after college graduation, Patrice has been involved in the telecommunications industry for nearly thirty-five years.

In 2006, Patrice began a new venture to build and lead a residential cable, tv, phone and internet business in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, with the help of her partners, Stephen Gray and Jeff Benjamin. ImOn Communications opened its doors in 2007 and launched services quickly in 2008. The business has steadily grown even through recessions, the 2008 flood, and the 2020 derecho disasters. Lisa Rhatigan, former employee, and friend said, Patrice started ImOn and then a year, later the 2008 flood wiped out a significant portion of its network and customer base. Patrices calm approach and her caring attention to her employees allowed the entire team to come together and work through the crisis and rebuild. It was the same after the derecho. Patrice made sure employees who were severely impacted by the storm had food, ice, gasoline, generators, cash, whatever they needed. To me, this was the perfect example of her calm, steady leadership mixed with her caring kindness.

In February 2022, ImOn announced that investment funds owned by Goldman Sachs would be acquiring ImOn in order to provide the capital necessary to accelerate the companys growth trajectory. This growth and success are in large part due to Patrices leadership and the culture she has built at ImOn. This culture results in ImOn consistently being selected as one of the Corridors Coolest Places to Work and often voted Best in the Corridor for Internet Service.
Patrice has received awards and recognition for her leadership both from the community and the telecommunications industry, including the Waypoint Tribute to Women of Achievement, Corridor Business Journal Woman of Influence, ACA Connects Individual Leadership Award, Cablefax Magazine Top 100, and Cablefax Magazine Most Powerful Women. Patrice is also an extremely active member of the Corridor community. She currently serves the following organizations: Cedar Rapids Bank and Trust, Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation, Junior Achievement of Eastern Iowa, Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance, Theatre Cedar Rapids, City of Cedar Rapids, Iowa City Area Development, Iowa City Area Business Partnership, and Rotary International.
Patrice is one of the best people I know. She is thoughtful, deliberate, genuine and a continual learner. A holistic person who can balance being a CEO, mother, spouse, and community partner, said colleague and friend, Stephen Gray. Beyond Patrices personal investment of time and talent in the community, she also ensures that ImOn provides financial and volunteer support to more than 70 community organizations in the Corridor and Dubuque each year. In addition, ImOn provides free community Wi-Fi access in many public areas throughout the markets it serves.

While accolades for her incredible professional achievements are well-deserved, to Patrice, her family is her greatest accomplishment. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her husband, Tom, and their two adult children, Molly and Eamonn. She also enjoys cooking, listening to a variety of music, sewing, and taking on new challenges.