021 Take what you can use and let the rest go by. Jon Patten co-founder of Southwests famous Dion’s

Voice of a Lion

Jon Patten and Audrey Johnson with Southwest’s famous Dion’s doing good for the kids and community. Jon Patten is the co-founder of Dion’s. He has been an entrepreneur since he was a boy when, in third grade, he bought toys wholesale and sold them to classmates. It was at St. John’s College in Annapolis that he began to learn the value of different opinions and the benefits that come from open honest discussion. Jon’s restaurant career began in 1978 with the purchase of New York Pizza with partner William Scott. They started with one employee and no restaurant management degrees or experience. Jon was CEO for 35 years and continues today as Chairman of the Board. Jon lives in Corrales, NM, is married, and has four sons. He has been a Vistage International member since 1998 and served as Chair until 2021. Jon has served as a founding board member of ACCION, Viante New Mexico, as well as several other non-profit organizations. Audrey Johnson is the Senior Marketing Manager at Dion’s. With a background in hospitality, she loves the opportunity to work in the restaurant industry – particularly at an establishment committed to giving back to the community. She was recognized among the Destinations International 30 Under 30 class of 2015 and is a current member of Vistage Advancing Leaders. She lives in Albuquerque, NM with her partner Bryan and their rescue dog, Rogue.