Michael Wayne Hawkins

Michael Wayne Hawkins

Founder & CEO

Netizen Corporation

Hawkins strives to ensure that everyone at Netizen, a cybersecurity company, shares a common vision and works consistently towards the strategic goals set across the entire organization.

“I founded Netizen with little else but my personal savings and grew it into one of the nation’s most admired companies,” he said. “It has been named Business of the Year, Veteran-Owned Business of the Year, Best Workplace, Fastest Growing and more by renowned regional and national publications. We have also been recognized as an industry leader by government agencies, elected representatives and private organizations around the country.”

Hawkins said the right people accelerate success; the wrong ones smother it.

“Attributes I’ve learned to seek out in others include a commitment to continuous learning; ability to innovate, adapt and overcome challenges; a stable temperament under pressure; the determination to face problems head on by not running away or giving up when the going gets tough; unwavering integrity and a superior work ethic.

Hawkins loves learning-based activities such as travel, history, the outdoors, aerospace, coding and reading. He is currently earning his pilot’s license, a dream he has had since age 14.

This profile is part of Lehigh Valley Business' Power 100 list for 2021. Information used in this profile was sourced from the honoree. See the full list at lvb.com or in our digital edition.