Pete Frechette is chairman of Patterson Companies (formerly Patterson Dental), based in St. Paul, Minn. In 2005, Frechette retired from his position as chief executive officer and chairman, a position he had held since 1985. He had been president of Patterson Dental since 1982 and a director of the company since 1983. Prior to joining Patterson, he was employed by American Hospital Supply Corporation for 18 years, the last seven of which he served as president of its Scientific Products Division. He holds a B.S. in Economics from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and an MBA from Northwestern University.
Pete and Pat Frechette have supported a variety of programs at UW-Madison, including the School of Education and the Grainger Center for Supply Chain Management. Pete served on the Wisconsin School of Business Dean’s Advisory Board.