Pat Avery attended Iowa’s Drake University, where she earned her undergraduate’s degree in Biology in 78’ and graduates’ degree in Public Administration in 81’. After which, the former high/college cheerleader, found her niche by helping people through employee relations and management.

In 1981, she began her professional career as a personnel assistant for Church’s Fried Chicken, Inc. and within 18 months became the southeastern regional personnel manager. Five years later, she took the helm of corporate personnel management at Bleyle of America, Incorporated, a German Company that manufactures International Women’s Better Sportswear.

Pat then joined Mobil as an employee relation’s representative in Houston in 1988 and quickly began her march up the corporate ladder. She served as employee relations advisor at Mobil’s plastic packaging division in New York in 1989. She became the first woman and first minority manager of employee relations at Mobil’s Chemical Specialty Division in Beaumont in 1991, the first woman and minority manager of employee relations at Mobil’s Mining and Minerals Company in Pasadena, Tx in 1993, and manager of human resources at Mobil’s Polyethylene Plant in Beaumont in 1996.

She joined French oil giant Total Petrochemicals & Refining USA, Inc. Port Arthur Refinery in March 1998 and serves as the administrative manager and human resource and communication manager. Pat managed the Refinery’s Human Resources Department, Payroll, Training, Labor Relations, Community, Government and Public Affairs activities, Security, Finance and Warehousing departments.

Pat joined Griffith Moseley Johnson & Associates in January 2013 as the vice president, global business development. She represented numerous petrochemicals and refining industry clients.

Pat is currently the President/CEO of the Greater Port Arthur Chamber of Commerce as of March 2019.