Patrick Joins Ulysses News Staff

Managing Editor/Publisher

A new face at the Ulysses News is Kristi Patrick, marketing/advertising representative.

"I'm a mom of two: a son and a daughter," Patrick said. "My children have blessed me with four grandchildren - one grandson and three granddaughters who are my world."

Patrick said she has three other "children" as well.

"I am a dog mom of three boys that keep me going," Patrick said. "I also take care of my mom on the side - we sew together."

In her spare time, Patrick enjoys quilting, reading, coloring, spending time with her family and going for walks.

Patrick currently resides in Elkhart, Kan.; however, that may change.

"I drive every day back and forth to Ulysses at the moment until my mom and I decide where we will relocate," she said. "I grew up in Springfield, Colo., and I have lifelong friends who I communicate with daily."

Patrick may be new to the world of newspaper; however, she is looking forward to learning the craft.

"I have never worked at a newspaper in my life," she said. "And, I have never done marketing or advertising."

It was her enthusiasm which made the decision for Ulysses News Managing Editor/Publisher Nancy Wallace-Kletecka.

"Kristi was so excited about coming to work here and learn all about the newspaper  business - it was a no brainer," Kletecka said. "You have to have that mindset to be able to be a marketing/advertising person in order to do the best job for your customers."

Prior to coming to the Ulysses News, Patrick worked in the medical field.

"I worked in the medical field for many years as a CNA, CMA, and EMT in Colorado and Kansas," she said. "I've worked in a front office at a hospital and worked as a ward clerk. I broke my back in 2006, and when I did that it kind of put a damper on me working in the medical field."

Patrick also worked for 15 years for Seaboard, beginning her job there in 2006.

Most recently, she worked as a paraprofessional for special education at the middle school in Elkhart.

It was a Facebook post which caused her to apply.

"I saw a post on Facebook and I wanted to do something different in my life," Patrick said. "I wanted to challenge myself to try something new, so I reached out to (Wallace-Kletecka)."

It was Wallace-Kletecka's Facebook post that caught Patrick's attention.

"I have known Kristi for a lot of years and we are friends on Facebook," Wallace-Kletecka said. "I had made a post on my Facebook page about knowing where there was a job opening if the scammers out there wanted to do something legitimate. Kristi contacted me and asked if I had an opening at the Ulysses News - I did."

Patrick is looking forward to the future.

"The first few days I thought what am I doing, but now it is making more sense all the time," she said. "I have started to step out of my comfort zone and I'm ready to go."

She is impressed with Ulysses.

"I did not realize before that Ulysses has this much here," she said. "I hope to be able to assist customers for the paper to build on their businesses and to help the Ulysses News become even better."

Patrick is ready to go and looking forward to meeting customers and community members in Grant County. Her grandchildren, she said, call her the "Rocking Gigi", and she is "rocking and ready to go to work.