Name: Owen Yamasaki
Age: 45
Position: Senior research analyst, Ward Research Inc.
First job: Laborer for Kauai hotel
Pastimes: Reading, friends and jogging

"In the past we've done work for the airlines and travel industry. Now we're working on a report for the dairy industry related to consumer products, not the rising feed costs," Yamasaki said.

Yamasaki worked for 12 years with the state, including seven years with the Legislative Auditor where he participated in audits of the Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau (formerly the Hawaii Visitors Bureau), the county and state hospital program, and the Hawaii Youth Correctional Facility. The last five years were with the Judiciary. Yamasaki also spent six years in the Air Force.

He earned a bachelor's degree in political science at the University of Puget Sound and a master's degree in public administration at the University of Washington.