Rome native's pride shows in community involvement

By R. PATRICK CORBETT
Observer-Dispatch

Michael J. Hayduk was born and raised in Rome, and, like many young people, he assumed he would have to move away from home to get the right job.

To his pleasure, he found an outlet for his talents at the Air Force Research Laboratory in the Griffiss Business and Technology Park.

Winning an Accent on Excellence award is icing on the cake.

"I was pretty surprised and really excited when I found out I was chosen for it and that my supervisor at the time, Andy Pirich, had nominated me," Hayduk said.

"I followed this (award) in the paper through the years. I'm certainly very proud of the community I live and work in and that I have a chance to live here and work here with my family," he said.

The electrical engineer said Pirich is retiring, and "I've taken his job" as supervisor of the lab's photonics technology branch.

"I have about 25 people under me," he said.

Hayduk has published 13 articles in international scientific journals, made 42 presentations at scientific conferences, received a patent for his work in photonic signal conversion and has won several Air Force Research Laboratory leadership awards.

Pirich said in his nominating letter that Hayduk "excels in the technical arena (and) has become a nationally recognized expert in his field."

"On the flip side," Pirich wrote, "Michael can best be described in one word … 'caring.'"

As evidence, he cited Hayduk's involvement in coaching youth baseball, basketball and soccer, his leadership in organizing teams for America's Greatest Heart Run & Walk and the Cystic Fibrosis Benefit Walk and his involvement in Cub Scouts.

Hayduk said he owes his leadership skills to the example set by people he respects.

"I'm a big believer in giving back to community," he said.
He said the lab encourages outside service by its employees, but his superiors didn't have to push him too hard.

Hayduk said he had many role models as he grew up. His father, Michael, was a school superintendent in Madison who still found time to help reorganize Rome Memorial Hospital and to keep the Rome Polish Home going.

His mother always was by his father's side as he volunteered or she was busy raising the children.

"I certainly got a lot from both my parents," Hayduk said.
His sister Cindy Kernan became an engineer and now devotes her time to raising her children in Liverpool. He said he was encouraged by his sister to follow a science career.

"I enjoyed science and math growing up," he said, "and I had great teachers at Rome Catholic (High School).

"I never thought I'd have a chance to come back here because there's not a lot of science and engineering jobs."

Today he said he has reason to be optimistic that others will get the opportunity.

"Dolphin (Technology) is growing, BAE has offices here and PAR Technology is doing well," he said, while smaller technology companies are springing up to build on Rome lab's lead.

As an Accent on Excellence winner, he said, "I plan on continuing my service and being an ambassador for the community.

"It's a great place to live and stay for a young person."