Vaughn Vasconcellos founded Akimeka in January 1997. A Native Hawaiian company and former 8(a) federal contractor, Akimeka is now a fast-growing information technology services company that serves federal, state, and local government customers worldwide. Under the direction of Mr. Vasconcellos, Akimeka has won several prestigious awards and, in 2000, the Small Business Administration for the State of Hawai'i selected Mr. Vasconcellos as Entrepreneur of the Year.

Mr. Vasconcellos is also committed to assisting the underserved communities in Hawai'i. As a part of this effort, Mr. Vasconcellos formed the Alaka'ina Foundation, a not-for-profit Native Hawaiian Organization (NHO) that focuses on building leadership programs for native Hawaiian youth in rural areas and Hawaiian Homestead communities. Akimeka has also donated time and equipment to local training and leadership efforts. In addition, Akimeka has partnered with the Office of Naval Research in Hawai'i to promote a mobile technology platform to encourage interest in science and technology among K-12 public school students.

Before founding Akimeka, Mr. Vasconcellos was an independent consultant and held various positions in marketing, sales, and consulting with Unisys Corporation. Prior to beginning his business career, Mr. Vasconcellos served as a major in the United States Army. Mr. Vasconcellos attended the Kamehameha Schools, and holds a bachelor of science in engineering from the United States Military Academy at West Point and an executive master of business administration in strategy from Northeastern University. Mr. Vasconcellos currently serves as a director on the O'ahu Workforce Investment Board (OWIB), Sandwich Island Communications, Inc., and Native Hawaiian Organizations Association (NHOA). He also serves on the Advisory Board for the Hogan Entrepreneurs Program at Chaminade University. He is a former director of the Maui Economic Development Board, Malama Na Keiki Foundation and executive vice president of the Pacific American Foundation.