GRAND RAPIDS, MI, September 29, 2025 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Patrick Avila has been selected for inclusion in Marquis Who's Who. As in all Marquis Who's Who biographical volumes, individuals profiled are selected on the basis of current reference value. Factors such as position, noteworthy accomplishments, visibility, and prominence in a field are all taken into account during the selection process.

Mr. Avila has distinguished himself as an expert in the popcorn industry, serving as owner of Popnotch Goods since 2022. In this capacity, he has demonstrated a remarkable ability to oversee all aspects of the business, from assessing inventory and managing farmers' market operations to handling day-to-day production planning and customer correspondence for weddings, corporate gifting and wholesale accounts. His responsibilities extend to overseeing sales efforts, growing the business and taking on multiple daily roles including popcorn production, accounting, sales and delivery. Under his leadership, Popnotch Goods has achieved full vertical integration, planting, harvesting, popping, flavoring and distributing their own popcorn crop. This comprehensive approach sets the company apart from competitors. It is a source of great pride for Mr. Avila, who values the ability to control every step of the process and deliver a high-quality product to the community.

Before his entrepreneurial venture, Mr. Avila served as a customer relations specialist for key accounts at Continental Battery Systems from 2020 to 2021. During his tenure, he contributed to the development of business plans and played a pivotal role in securing a new building for the company. His work focused on sales of industrial batteries, where he gained valuable experience in business operations and client engagement.

From 2019 to 2020, Mr. Avila held the position of North American category analyst for fresh fruits and vegetables at Gordon Food Service, a major food distributor serving restaurants and healthcare facilities. He was responsible for buying and selling produce for store teams across 175 locations, setting up programs and collaborating closely with team members to ensure efficient distribution. His earlier roles at Gordon Food Service included associate category manager and North American category analyst from 2018 to 2019, as well as category assistant and North American category analyst from 2017 to 2018. He began his association with the company as a category management analyst intern in 2017. Throughout these positions, Mr. Avila developed expertise in supply chain logistics, program implementation and cross-functional teamwork.

Mr. Avila's professional journey began at Calvin University Campus Store in Grand Rapids, Michigan, where he worked as a trade book assistant from 2013 to 2017 and as a team member from 2015 to 2016. He also completed a marketing internship with Continental Battery Systems in 2015. These early experiences provided him with foundational skills in retail operations and marketing that would later inform his entrepreneurial pursuits.

His achievements have been recognized through various accolades, including being profiled in the article "A Recipe for Success," published by Calvin University's Spark Magazine in 2024. This feature highlighted his innovative approach to business and his commitment to quality.

Mr. Avila's academic background includes earning a bachelor's degree in marketing and marketing management, with minors in sports management and kinesiology, from Calvin University in Grand Rapids, Michigan, in 2017. His education equipped him with essential knowledge in business strategy, consumer behavior and organizational management—skills that have proven invaluable throughout his career. The rigorous curriculum at Calvin University fostered his analytical abilities and entrepreneurial mindset, both of which have been instrumental in his success at Popnotch Goods.

The inspiration for Mr. Avila's current profession can be traced back to his family's farm in Momence, Illinois. In this rural community, he observed the enduring popularity of a local popcorn shop that had thrived for three decades. Motivated by an entrepreneurial spirit and a desire for independence following five years in the corporate sector, and further galvanized by the challenges presented during the COVID-19 pandemic, he identified an opportunity to create a unique brand centered around popcorn production in West Michigan.

Mr. Avila attributes his accomplishments to relentless dedication and an unwavering work ethic. Unlike traditional corporate roles that adhere to standard schedules, he commits himself fully to Popnotch Goods by focusing on sales initiatives, event organization and community engagement.

In addition to his professional endeavors, Mr. Avila is civically engaged as a volunteer for the Grand Rapids Marathon. He has served as a volunteer member with the National Collegiate Athletic Association since 2015. He supports nonprofit organizations through raffle donations and giveaways, acts as a donor and sponsor for Wedgwood Christian Services and contributes to local colleges in Grand Rapids.

Outside of work, Mr. Avila enjoys playing in a local band with college friends, hunting and spending quality time with his wife and daughter. He is committed to making meaningful contributions to his community while exploring new opportunities for business growth. Looking ahead, he aims to expand Popnotch Goods by developing additional revenue streams such as selling kernels directly to customers and distributors. With aspirations of scaling the business further, potentially leading to acquisition by another company, Mr. Avila remains dedicated to solving problems, building projects and providing value wherever possible.

Through perseverance, innovation and community involvement, Mr. Avila continues to set new standards within the popcorn industry while inspiring others through his example of entrepreneurial achievement.

About Marquis Who's Who®:
Since 1899, when A. N. Marquis printed the First Edition of Who's Who in America®, Marquis Who's Who® has chronicled the lives of the most accomplished individuals and innovators from every significant field of endeavor, including politics, business, medicine, law, education, art, religion and entertainment. Who's Who in America® remains an essential biographical source for thousands of researchers, journalists, librarians and executive search firms around the world. The suite of Marquis® publications can be viewed at the official Marquis Who's Who® website, www.marquiswhoswho.com.

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