Partners
Patrick Patterson
CEO
Patrick Patterson
CEO
In his tenure as president & CEO of Level Agency, Patrick Patterson oversaw its transformation from a pioneering, fast-growing higher education shop into the performance-marketing powerhouse it is today. Under his leadership, the agency's revenue grew 30% or more annually; its profit margin increased 4X; its marketing spend now tops $50M annually, and its capabilities have broadened to offer more complementary services for more industries.
Great marketing starts with asking great questions. From the outset of his career, Patterson applied his background in computer science and math to the challenge of reaching and engaging audiences (and carefully measuring every result). In an industry increasingly driven by automation and machine learning, he excelled, ultimately managing a $30+ million budget for Education Management Corporation. Patrick then took his passion for creating value to product development, implementing lean methodology at a technology startup that focused on using data to drive efficient sales enablement.
His drive for efficiency, performance, and continuous improvement led him to join agency founder Thomas Donohoe in 2012 to oversee Level's operations and strategic direction - eventually purchasing the company in 2021 with his partner, Patrick Van Gorder.
Patterson's vision for Level Agency is to be the go-to performance marketing agency when clients want real, measurable results. Reaching this goal requires an uncompromising commitment to performance: platform excellence, compelling creative, client partnership, growth mindset, and constant innovation. By surrounding himself with talented, adaptable colleagues, he knows he's set the agency up for success.
Patterson’s vision for Level Agency is to be the go-to performance marketing agency when clients want real, measurable results. Reaching this goal requires an uncompromising commitment to performance: platform excellence, compelling creative, client partnership, growth mindset, and constant innovation. By surrounding himself with talented, adaptable colleagues, he knows that he’s set the agency up for success.
Patrick Van Gorder
President & COO
Patrick Van Gorder
President & COO
Patrick X.W. Van Gorder has been part of the leadership team of Level Agency since the company’s founding in 2010. Starting as Lead Copywriter, Van Gorder has made measurable, significant contributions in each subsequent role he has held; as Director of Campaigns and Platforms, as AVP of Client Services, as VP of Operations, as Senior Vice President and Head of Accounts, EVP, and in his current role as President and COO.
Van Gorder's responsibilities as President and COO include the day-to-day operations of the agency and the strategic performance marketing success of the agency's clients. That encompasses fostering healthy, trust-rooted partner relationships, developing increasingly ROI-effective ways to digitally reach target audiences, and consistently delivering attention-grabbing and relevant advertising creative.
Van Gorder attended the University of Pittsburgh, where he graduated with a B.A. dual major in Journalism and Political Science. A son of missionary parents, Van Gorder grew up in five different countries across three continents, before coming to the University of Pittsburgh to study Journalism and Political Science. He lives in Pittsburgh’s East End with his wife Sophia, daughter Pearl, golden retriever Lily, and cat Basil.
