Marianna and Solon Patterson, both Atlanta natives met at Emory University and married in 1961. Their family's deeply held religious beliefs from the Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox traditions respectively, presented a challenge at the time of their marriage. Their diligent and successful pursuit of a union that would respect both traditions laid the groundwork for a lifetime commitment of seeking the reconciliation of the churches.
During his career, Solon would become a pioneer the in investment field in Atlanta, establishing the state’s first mutual fund, which soon set a remarkable track record – ranking in the top 10 percent for mutual funds. His own stock rose due to his inherent strategic nature, his commitment to due diligence and his determination to achieve results. He eventually rose to CEO and chairman of Montag & Caldwell in Atlanta. In the 1980's Solon and Marianna first created a Donor-Advised Fund, the Marianna and Solon Patterson Fund, with what is now the Community Foundation of Greater Atlanta. They continue to leverage this Donor Advised Fund to invest in organizations with which they have a personal interest, including the Arts. In the early 1990's, Solon and Marianna considered creating a private family foundation to enable their family, including future generations, to become more involved in philanthropy. In 1995, The Patterson Family Foundation was organized. |