Patrick O’Brian was born in Canton, Illinois, and graduated from Farmington High School in 1998. He attended Spoon River College from 1999 to 2001 before earning a Governmental Accounting Certificate from the University of Illinois Geis School of Business and a Master Certificate in High Performance Leadership from the Professional Development Academy.
After SRC, Patrick began his career in management at McDonald’s, where he worked for 18 years. Through dedication and leadership, he advanced to the position of Area Supervisor, overseeing 250 employees and more than $10 million in annual sales. In 2012, Patrick launched his own restaurant business, which grew to include two restaurants, a property management company, and a retail business.
That same year, Patrick entered public service, winning election to the Fulton County Board, where he served two terms before being elected Chairman in 2019. In 2020, he was elected Fulton County Clerk and Recorder, a role in which he continues to serve today.
Patrick is deeply involved in his community, holding numerous leader-ship and volunteer roles throughout Central Illinois. He is an assistant high school football coach for the LVC Miners, assistant high school boys’ basketball coach for North Fulton, and a licensed IHSA official in baseball and basketball. He has also served as Past Jr. Governor of the Farmington Moose Lodge #1571, Past Master of the Farmington Masonic Lodge #192, Past High Priest of the Pekin Chapter #25 Royal Arch Masons, and is a 32nd Degree Scottish Rite Mason (Valley of Peoria). Additionally, he is a former member of both the Spoon River College Foundation Board of Directors and the Spoon River Partner-ship for Economic Development Board of Directors.
Patrick’s leadership and service have earned him numerous honors, including 2009 and 2012 Outstanding General Manager awards given to the Top 10% in the McDonald’s global system, selection to the Edgar Fellows Class of 2023 and recognition as the 2023 Illinois Association of County Clerks & Recorders County Clerk of the Year.
Patrick has been married to his wife, Maria, for 18 years. They have five children—Stephanie, Ramon, Patrick, Eddie, and Samuel—and he is the proud grandfather of Mariana.
