Pearl Technology’s, Pat Venditte, was recently recognized by WTVP as one of the area’s “40 Leaders Under 40” at the Par-A-Dice Hotel in East Peoria. Neal Just, Anthony Mini, Gary Pearl, and Jeremy Caldera were among those who were there to celebrate his achievement.

Pat is an account executive who focuses on audiovisual integrative solutions. The profile below was featured in the program and appears here courtesy of WTVP.

PAT VENDITTE | PEORIA
Account Executive, Pearl Technology

Pat Venditte was born in Omaha, Nebraska, dreaming of being a major-league baseball player. After graduating with a business degree and playing baseball with Creighton University, Venditte was eventually drafted by the New York Yankees in 2008. Venditte played professional baseball for 13 seasons, including parts of five seasons in the Major Leagues for Toronto, Los Angeles (Dodgers), San Francisco, Oakland, Seattle, and Miami. In 2021, Venditte began working as an Account Executive at Pearl Technology and is currently in charge of business development and sales for Pearl’s audiovisual division.

Achieving His Dreams

“Reaching the Major Leagues was a challenge to say the least. It took nearly eight years from draft day to get the call, making a stop at every minor league level (six), as well as winter ball seasons in Mexico, Venezuela, and the Dominican Republic.”

Anthony Daniel Mini from Pearl describes Venditte as “one of the most remarkable individuals I have ever met. From the moment you meet him, his special nature is evident. Pat is a force multiplier, enhancing the abilities of everyone around him with his positive energy, compassion, and dedication.”

Venditte met his wife, Erin, in 2007 at Creighton and they have three children together: Dominic (7), Ella (6), and Clara (3). “Don’t wait seven years to pop the question,” he advises. “You’re just wasting time. She and the kids are going to be the highlight of your life.”

In 2021, Venditte’s friend and former teammate, Chris Gradoville, was tragically shot and killed in front of his home in Omaha. (Gradoville played college ball with Venditte, was a catcher for the Texas Rangers, and the Director of Baseball Operations for Creighton.) As family, friends, and the entire community grieved his loss, Venditte founded and serves as President of the nonprofit, Graditude, in Gradoville’s honor. Graditude hosts youth baseball camps, featuring instruction from major league players and college coaches from around the Midwest, to raise funds for secondary education scholarships.

Venditte has served as the volunteer pitching coach at Peoria Notre Dame High School since 2021 and muses that “the kids are more impressed by a guest pitching appearance for the Savannah Bananas in 2024 than any of the MLB stops along the way.”

Leadership Insights

“The best leaders… are the ones that live the life they preach. They are also the same person no matter if the times are great or if times are a struggle. They are the steady pace for those to follow.”

Venditte has lived in many different places but has chosen to put down roots here. “Central Illinois has some of the finest [people] I have ever met,” writes Venditte, “and I am proud to have my roots here and raise our children in Peoria.”

Congratulations, Pat! We’re proud to have you on the team!