Young’s diverse career has been dedicated to public service and innovation. Gregory Pai, Board President of Pacific Gateway Center, said “Young’s background prepares him well for a social service organization that continues to grow to better serve the community.”

Young will be only the second permanent Executive Director of Pacific Gateway Center, following the leadership of long-term Executive Director Dr. Tin Myaing Thein who retired in 2020.  Young, born in Kona, previously served as Executive Director of The Food Basket on Hawai’i Island, general manager of the Larry Ellison venture Sensei Holdings, and most recently Deputy Director of the City and County of Honolulu’s Office of Economic Revitalization. He has served on numerous nonprofit and government boards.

“I never thought my experience in farming and food systems, health and human services, non profit administration, and business and workforce development would ever converge. PGC is perfectly positioned to address many of the social and economic challenges our communities are facing — challenges that this pandemic brought into sharp relief.”

At The Food Basket, Young spearheaded the “Double Bux” program which boosts local farmers by helping low-income families purchase their produce. This program was replicated statewide in 2019. Young oversaw the Rent and Utility Relief Program which has been one of the most effective nationwide in distributing federal pandemic aid.