The only publication dedicated to business in Onslow County onslowbusiness.com
September 3, 2025 Vol. 2 Issue 9
Patino Lined Up as Business Summit Keynote Baseball and business are focused on being successful, but both are also all about building a community and having fun in the process. Eli Patino has been successful with all aspects of business and baseball, as the founder and owner of the Jacksonville Ospreys, and will share his experiences and his advice on having fun at the Business Success Summit on October 3. Eli and his wife Arlin launched the Ospreys organization two years ago. They were the first to ever approach the city with the idea of bringing a baseball team to the Jacksonville/Onslow area, ready to sign a lease and to work along with the city to make it all happen. In a string of other firsts, the team plays at Jack Amyette Ballpark, which was the first recreation center in Jacksonville and was named after the city's first Recreation Director, Jack Amyette. Eli is a Marine Corps veteran originally from Minnesota, with a long list of accomplishments in the business world. He holds a master’s in finance from UNCW, has worked for a military contractor and as a staff accountant for a local business. Arlin has been a real estate agent with Century 21 for the past 18
years. The couple have also owned the Sweet Shop in Emerald Isle since 2017.
Eli played baseball in college and has always been a fan of the game. Player development and community involvement are important to the Patinos and to the Ospreys organization as a whole. Eli says that players come from all over the country and even a few from other countries to play baseball each summer. He says, “the players love it here” and adds “they feel the love of the community.”
The organization has been so successful that in its second year, it was selected to be the host of
Making a difference for businesses in and around the Greater Onslow County area: Jacksonville, Swansboro, Richlands, Camp Lejeune, Holly Ridge, Hubert, Sneads Ferry, North Topsail Beach, Surf City, and beyond.
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
Part of what players from both teams enjoy after each game, Eli says, is the food, as they always Eli and Arlin Patino were selected as feed everyone after the game. Executives of the Year by the Old Players also enjoy the hospitality North State League in 2024. of their host families. In fact, Eli says those host families are “the (Images provided by the Patinos.) team behind the team” and he is very grateful for them. Fan engagement is another important aspect of the Ospreys experience. Plans for the next summer season include a concession stand, the number one request of Ospreys fans. They are looking at other potential improvements as well, including shade for the stands and a new scoreboard.
COMPLIMENTARY
the Old North State League's 2025 All Star Game and Home Run Derby. Area businesses have been overwhelmingly supportive of the collegiate team. Arlin says they had over 60 sponsors sign up for the 2025 season and “sold out of field space.”
People can have fun at work and be successful, Eli believes, and he and Arlin exemplify that philosophy.
Sponsor Spotlight . 2 Burton Park Groundbreaking .... 3 Chamber Corner ... 4 Networking Approach ............ 4 Networking Opportunities ....... 5 Coming Home to Roost ................. 6 Ocean Innovation Keynote ............. 7 Unleashing Team Spirit ................. 8 Wawa Grand Opening.............. 9 Starting a Business? ............ 10 Leading Through Uncertainty ......... 11 Transform Through Knowledge .......... 12 Unlock Funding ..... 13 J&J Snacks Closes . 14 Training Opportunities ....... 15 Business Success Summit .............. 16