Thom Patterson
Senior Producer — CNN
Thom Patterson (B.A. ’87, Journalism) is a CNN senior producer currently based in Atlanta. Since 1999, he has created hundreds of original stories for CNN Digital, specializing in aviation journalism. He has conducted a host of one-on-one interviews with influential figures, including John McCain, Chuck Hagel, Andrew Cuomo, Rahm Emanuel, Buzz Aldrin, Chuck Yeager, and Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger, among many others.
During his six-year engagement at CNN’s Washington Bureau, Patterson produced countless hours of live newscasts and interviews at Capitol Hill and the White House, covering significant political events such as the 2004 Republican National Convention and the 2008 Texas Democratic presidential primary. In 2012, Patterson covered Coast Guard hearings investigating the fatal sinking of the HMS Bounty, a world-famous ship.
As a passionate aviation writer and reporter, Patterson has had the privilege of flying aboard several noteworthy aircrafts such as a Hurricane Hunter, World War II era bombers, and an Aerobatic Team plane. He also covered the very first Boeing 787 Dreamliner to return to service after grounding. In 2005, he reported on the Kennedy Space Center during NASA’s first shuttle launch since the Space Shuttle Columbia disaster of 2003.
Other 2018 Luminaries
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Class of 1974
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Class of 1985
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Class of 1986
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Class of 2002
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Class of 1970 + 1971
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