Patch Teams Get New Community Sales Rep

Hey, readers! Help us welcome the newest member of the New Tampa and Temple Terrace Patch teams, Vickie Towne.

We recently caught up with her to give her the "five questions" treatment as an introduction to the community. Here is what she had to say:

Patch: Tell me about your background. Where were you born and raised?

Towne: I was raised in the Midwest, a small town north of Indianapolis called Hartford City. I am the sixth child (first girl) of 10 — all except myself and a brother still live there. Proud mom of a son who is a Pasco County paramedic with the fire department.

Patch: Before coming to Patch, where did you work? 

Towne: Prior to coming to Patch I worked 20 years for Media General (Tampa Tribune/Tbo.com/WFLA) and before that I was general manager of the Laker Newspaper in Land O' Lakes for 6 years.Patch: What's a typical day been like as a member of the Patch sales force? 

Towne: Every day at Patch is filled with meetings, sales calls and talking to people about the site. Most people are familiar with Patch, but a lot don't know what it's really about. They just know they read it every day and like it. Talking to the advertisers, especially in the Temple Terrace, University and New Tampa areas, is so great. These are my family — not just advertisers — as I lived in Temple Terrace for over 20 years, raised my son there and worked there for more than 15 years. It's so great to be back home with a service like Patch to offer.Patch: What's your most favorite thing about working for Patch so far? 

Towne: My favorite thing about Patch is the sense of community that I haven't seen a media outlet actually understand in a very long time. The staff is family oriented, which carries over into the job and community and the company supports that philosophy. In many ways we are all one big family whether it's the job, company, or community. This makes us all stronger and better people who are invested in each other. Patch: Why should New Tampa and Temple Terrace businesses advertise on Patch?

Towne: Patch really gets the fact that today is so fast and busy, we don't have the luxury of time. Patch tells you about what's going on and about your own community. They give you what you want without expecting you to use precious time finding it out. It allows advertisers to reach just the customers they need without wasting money on those who will never benefit them, all for a very small investment. It allows them to reach customers who choose to receive their message and actively want it. There is no better engaged audience in the market, and I've been in this business for a very long time, so I feel I'm a good judge of that by now. 

Patch: How can people get in touch with you? 

Towne: I can be reached by phone or email. Email me at vickie.towne@patch.com, or call (813) 373-8050.