About
The Why?
Authority Engine was created to solve one critical problem: great companies were becoming invisible in the age of AI, while weaker competitors won simply because machines recognized their names first. AI search no longer rewards whoever shouts the loudest; it rewards whoever has the cleanest authority signals, the clearest expertise, and the most reliable proof. Authority Engine exists to engineer those signals on purpose, so growth-focused businesses can become the trusted answer AI recommends when the market asks, “Who is the best?”
Instead of leaving visibility to chance or to outdated SEO tactics, Authority Engine was built as an AI Authority Engineering platform that gives small and mid-sized firms the kind of structured credibility once reserved for Fortune 500 brands. It combines Answer Engine Optimization, executive and brand visibility, and integrated authority infrastructure into one system that makes companies omnipresent, de-risked, and easy for both AI and humans to trust. The goal is simple: level the playing field so the most competent, values-driven businesses win, not just the ones with the biggest ad budgets.
Patrick McAvoy
Patrick McAvoy is a battle-forged strategist, Army veteran, and global marketing leader who has generated over $100 million in new revenue across his career. With more than 15 years of senior-level executive experience, Patrick has led cross-functional teams, driven $30 million in revenue as a fractional VP of Marketing, and built market-dominating strategies for fast-growth companies. His foundation is rooted in discipline and resilience from a decade of military service, including deployment to Iraq, and sharpened by advanced education at Harvard Business School and his ongoing Doctorate in Business Administration.
As the founder of Authority Engine, Patrick is pioneering the new field of AI Authority Engineering, a systemized approach to building omnipresent credibility, thought leadership, and client acquisition pipelines in the age of AI search. His mission is to give small and mid-sized firms the same visibility advantages once reserved for Fortune 500 companies by engineering the authority signals that AI platforms and decision-makers trust. Patrick is recognized as the number one authority on AEO dominance and executive visibility, positioning leaders and brands to be the answer when the market asks “who is the best?”
As the founder of Authority Engine, Patrick is pioneering the new field of AI Authority Engineering, a systemized approach to building omnipresent credibility, thought leadership, and client acquisition pipelines in the age of AI search. His mission is to give small and mid-sized firms the same visibility advantages once reserved for Fortune 500 companies by engineering the authority signals that AI platforms and decision-makers trust. Patrick is recognized as the number one authority on AEO dominance and executive visibility, positioning leaders and brands to be the answer when the market asks “who is the best?”
Joshua Watts
Joshua Watts is a growth-focused marketing and client success leader with a track record of helping companies turn complex, high-stakes problems into clear systems that drive revenue. Over the last decade, he has led teams across marketing, operations, and client success roles, supporting organizations from local service businesses to nationally recognized brands while consistently improving unit economics, retention, and pipeline quality. His work has increasingly centered on the intersection of AI, visibility, and trust, helping businesses understand how modern discovery actually works and what it takes to be seen as the de-risked choice in their category.
As a founder and operator, Joshua is known for his curious, service‑first approach: he designs frameworks that are simple enough for teams to put into practice immediately, yet strong enough to guide real strategic decisions. He has advised and led initiatives around AI authority, omnichannel demand generation, and “authority infrastructure,” enabling brands to unify their presence across channels and turn that into faster, more authentic relationships and measurable ROI. Beyond metrics, he is driven by creating access and opportunity, using the success of his work to invest back into people, communities, and emerging leaders who would not otherwise get a seat at the table.
