Who Is Patrick James? Catholic-Schooled ‘Frank and Simple Guy,’ Student Bar Manager in College

Reporting: Harvard Zhang First Brands’ founder and CEO Patrick James left almost no trace of his image on the internet, except for one: an image from his college yearbook. Coming from Malaysia to study at the College of Wooster in Ohio in the 1980s, a young, bespectacled James, presumably in his late teens, appears in the black-and-white headshot wearing a shirt, according to a directory reviewed by Octus. Next to his photo is his name, the name of his high school, La Salle Petaling Jay Selangor in Malaysia, and the caption, “I’m a frank and simple guy who likes sports and social activities. I’m an outgoing person who loves parties, dancing, music and meeting people.” James, the manager of the student pub at his college at the time, was interviewed by the student newspaper about how he was revamping the bar. The sophomore’s restructuring ideas, according to the article, included drawing in larger crowds earlier in the evening, offering soft drinks and giving student patrons the music they wanted to dance to. James’ vision: “the profit will be handed right back to the students.” James received a Bachelor of Arts degree in business economics, according to a commencement announcement. Assuming[...]