June 3, 1991 was the official first day of business for Patti Engineering (Actually it was first called “Patti Engineering Services”, but the last word was officially dropped when we incorporated in 1995).

I started as a solo-shooter contractor at GMFanuc Robotics (later, Fanuc bought out GM’s half, so today it is Fanuc Robotics). I had a lot of knowledge on a product called the Smart Screen (by Total Control Products) having written my senior thesis on the product and later working for the company for 9 months.  Fanuc had just standardized on using the TCP Smart Screen in their original PAINTWorks System. 1991 was a slow time and Fanuc did not have any openings at the time, so Don Kijek and Gordy Geheb (both still Fanuc employees) encouraged me to start up my own business so that they could utilize my talents.

I figured when I started Patti Engineering it would last me through the summer until I could find a permanent job. 16 years later, I am still working that summer job. :-)