Patrick Hayakawa, who was born in Washington, D.C. as the son of a journalist who covered Congress, grew up in Camp Hill, Pa., just across the Susquehanna River from Harrisburg. He is the Vice President of Innovation & Emerging Technologies at the Chester County Economic Development Council.

Hayakawa earned a bachelor’s degree in Philosophy from Ursinus College and master’s degree in Public Administration from the University of Pennsylvania. He credits Alan Novak and Craig Tucker as having the biggest impacts on his career.

“Alan was on the board at Ursinus when I was there,” said Hayakawa, who began working as a Little League Baseball umpire when he was 15 years old. “He hired me right out of college and taught me a tremendous amount. And Craig introduced me to and recommended me for not one but two jobs I ended up taking: first at the Chester County Chamber of Business & Industry and again a few years later at Life Sciences PA.”

Hayakawa’s proudest professional achievement is his work at the CCEDC.

“Economic development is a calling,” he said. “There’s no accounting for that. The combination of passion and humility of the people I work with is unlike any I have seen. Plus, I get to work with the coolest startups every day.”

Hayakawa’s favorite Chester County restaurant is Green Street Grill in Downingtown.