Copyright © 2026 Patrick James - All rights reserved.
Copyright © 2026 Patrick James - All rights reserved.
As Founder, Patrick was the driving force behind First Brands where he transformed struggling companies into strong, sustainable employers.
His story starts in Kuala Lumpur, where he grew up in disadvantaged circumstances and faced significant economic instability and hardship. From a young age, he poured himself into academics and athletics, excelling in soccer and track, and came to view hard work and education as the surest path to a better future. He saw America as a land of opportunity and freedom.
Patrick’s life took a dramatic turn when he met an admissions counselor from the College of Wooster. Although he assumed studying in the United States was financially out of reach, he applied, was accepted, and received enough financial aid and work-study support to attend.
Patrick immigrated to the United States in 1984 and earned his Bachelor of Arts in Business Economics in 1988. He proudly became an American citizen in 1990, renouncing his Malaysian citizenship and embracing the U.S. as a place of possibility, freedom, and belonging. Like many immigrants, he experienced many roadblocks along the way, but he has always overcome these with grit and determination.
At Wooster, Patrick met his wife, Elizabeth, on her first day on campus. The two became inseparable and later settled outside Cleveland, where they raised their two children and have lived ever since. They’ve been married nearly 40 years. Patrick often says that Cleveland “gave so much to me,” and he believes deeply in contributing to the city.
As an entrepreneur, Patrick believes in North American manufacturing. He is a problem solver, driven by operational excellence and the goal of creating strong, innovative companies.
Patrick has created substantial economic value by acquiring and revitalizing businesses, rescuing failing brands such as Draw-Tite, Bulldog, Westfalia, ASC, Airtex, Champ, Cardone, Carter, Centric, and Walbro, some more than 100 years old, and providing employment to more than 25,000 individuals.
Under his leadership, his companies have developed over 1,500 U.S. patents in the auto industry.
Those who know him best describe Patrick as extraordinarily hardworking, intelligent, and principled, as well as warm, generous, and kind-hearted. He is also a devoted husband and father. A devout Catholic, he attends Mass daily and believes deeply in giving to others.
Patrick’s work reflects his core belief that business leadership carries a responsibility to strengthen the communities in which companies operate.
Patrick’s philanthropic giving focuses on poverty alleviation and the essential building blocks of human flourishing: healthcare, food security, and education.
Supporting transformative pathways for young people through initiatives such as charter schools with work-study programs, Catholic missions in India that assist survivors of sex trafficking, and full scholarships for underprivileged high school students and college students studying nursing and teaching.
Advancing access and equity in healthcare, including major grants for women’s health, particularly aging and equal-treatment initiatives, and sustained investments in nursing programs, job placement, and support for frontline caregivers.
Strengthening essential safety nets through contributions to Harvest for Hunger, monthly community food bank distributions supplemented with direct-assistance gift cards, and other charities.
Ensuring the wellbeing and readiness of local police and fire departments that safeguard the community.
Expanding access to music and the arts for underserved students including support for the Cleveland Orchestra and funding for music teachers in under-resourced communities.
