Meet Patrick Wells : MVP of the Month and GA's Small Business Person of the YEar
By Barbara Myers Myers Mason APR

Rotarian, Landscape Architect, Community Leader, and now the U.S. Small Business Administration's Georgia's Small Business Person of the Year- Meet Patrick Wells of the Rotary Club of Columbia County. From transforming outdoor spaces to empowering fellow Rotarians, Patrick’s journey is rooted in service, leadership, and a deep love for his community.
 
Certified Landscape Architect | Business Owner | State and Community Leader | Rotarian

Patrick Wells, a member of the Rotary Club of Columbia County and the Area 9 Area Governor, was recently named Georgia's Small Business Person of the Year by the U.S. Small Business Administration. He said, “I am extremely honored to be considered for such a prestigious accolade. I could not have done this without the help of Rotary to encourage my professional and personal development.”

Each year, the U.S. Small Business Administration celebrates National Small Business Week the first week in May by recognizing the achievements of outstanding small business owners and entrepreneurs across the country.
 
On May 5, Wells will travel to Washington, D.C., to be honored at the National Small Business Week award ceremony, along with winners from the United States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and Guam.
 
A Passion for Improving Outdoor Spaces

A certified landscape architect, Wells got his start by helping with his father’s landscaping business, working at a local nursery, and running his own business while earning a degree in landscape architecture from the University of Georgia. During his summers, he also spent time working on a dude ranch and driving cattle for a client in Wheatland, Wyoming.

A natural outdoorsman, Wells isn’t one to enjoy life behind a desk. He loves how landscape architecture allows him to work outside and design environments that encourage others to connect with nature. In 2019, Patrick and his wife, Caroline, a Physician Assistant, purchased Piedmont Landscape Management, and in 2024, they acquired Christmas Decor of Augusta, continuing their dedication to improving outdoor spaces for both residential and commercial clients.

Deeply Committed to His Community

In addition to his professional work, Wells is deeply committed to his community. A Paul Harris and Will Watt Fellow, he served as the President of the Columbia County Rotary Club from 2019 to 2020. He is also active in the Augusta Metro Chamber as an ambassador and was awarded the Top 10 in 10, Entrepreneur Rising Star Award in 2023. A 2020 graduate of Leadership Augusta, he continues to contribute to the region’s growth.

Wells serves as a deacon at Reid Memorial Church and is a board member for the Reid Mother’s Day Out program. He also serves on the advisory board for the Horticulture Department at Augusta Technical College, furthering his commitment to education and the growth of the green industry.

Wells has been involved with the University of Georgia Small Business Development Center since 2014 when a former boss recommended that he take a class called Smart Growth. “I gained so much valuable knowledge from it,” he said.
Shortly after the class, his family moved to Augusta where he again quickly connected with the Small Business Development Center. In 2015, he started working for Piedmont Landscape Management, and with the help of the SBDC, he and his wife were able to purchase the company in 2019. He appreciates Rick McMurtrey, the Area Director, who has offered guidance throughout his business journey.

Last year, McMurtrey nominated Wells for a Small Business Administration award on behalf of the SBDC. “I was excited but never expected we’d actually be in the running,” Wells said. “Rick reassured me that we were a strong candidate, and in February, he mentioned that an announcement was coming soon. Then we received an email with the great news! The best part of the award is that we didn’t even apply for it directly—it was an honor to be nominated and selected.”

A Rotary Journey

Wells’ Rotary journey began in Macon when he was working for T Lake Environmental. “My boss, Tim Lake, told me I was going to lunch with a client,” he recalls. “During the lunch, the client briefly mentioned Rotary, but it wasn’t until after the meeting that Lake called me and asked what I thought. I replied, “It was great, I learned a lot.” Lake said, “’I’m glad you enjoyed it, and you’re going to join Rotary.’ At that young age, I had no idea what I was getting myself into.”

Wells joined the Downtown Macon Rotary Club, a large club. To get involved and connect with members, he volunteered for events like the Laws of Life and Thanksgiving meal donations. In 2015, his wife was transferred to Augusta, and he shared the news with Lake. “He was excited for me and told me, ‘I’ve paid your Rotary dues for the next quarter—don’t let them lapse. It will be the best thing you do in your life.’ Those words stuck with me.”
 
Determined to find a club where he could be active, Wells joined the Columbia County Rotary Club. It was much smaller than Macon, which allowed him to engage more closely with members and form stronger connections. “Since then, the club members have inspired, motivated, and pushed me to new levels in my Rotary journey,” he said.
 

 
The Road to Success

Wells believes that Rotary has played a large role in his success in many ways. “Being part of a larger club initially pushed me out of my comfort zone and helped me connect with people outside of my usual circle. When we moved to Augusta, the smaller club gave me the opportunity to step up and learn new skills, like public speaking, running events, and fundraising. The friendships I’ve built through Rotary are priceless, and I now have a network of people I can rely on when facing challenges.”

Wells recalls that during the COVID pandemic, many of his club members were struggling to keep their businesses running. They formed an accountability group to help each other stay on track, meeting every Thursday at 4:30 p.m. Each week, they created action plans and set deadlines for execution. “It was an incredible experience. Even during such a dark time, we pushed each other to succeed and take our companies to new heights. I honestly don’t know how I would have made it through COVID without the support and guidance of my Rotary family,” he said.
 
Outside of work and community service, Patrick is a dedicated family man. He and his wife have two children, an 8-year-old boy and a 5-year-old girl. When he’s not working, Wells enjoys gardening, hunting, and fishing. His family loves to travel, and last year they made memories on a vacation to Hawaii, following a trip to Thailand the year before.