Patrick Rooney is the Director of Entrepreneurial Development for CO:LAB Pensacola, a program of Florida West EDA, in partnership with Pensacola State College.

He has served as a C-Suite Executive in various Leadership roles with start-ups and mid-stage firms in defense, electronics, software development/systems integration, education, manufacturing, multimedia distribution, information security and healthcare. His 40+ years of work experience encompasses a vast range of experience from controller, vice-president, and CFO to CEO and Chairman with companies such as Coastal CxO Services, Greensville Kearns Aviation Maintenance, Gauss Gang, Brand Asset Digital, Cogon Systems, Nuovo Technologies, Deloitte Touché Tohmatsu, Manufacturing Technology, Inc. (MTI) & others.

He has a proven track record in building and leading high-performance teams needing effective assistance with private fund raising, enterprise process improvements, and operating management process development. He is a graduate of the University of West Florida with a Bachelor of Arts in Accounting with magna cum laude honors.

He earned his Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in November 1980. He also completed a Certificate program on Multinational Management at Georgia Institute of Technology through the Southern Center for International Studies.

He is cofounder of IT Gulf Coast, serving as a Board Advisor, and a Board Member/Treasurer for the Blue Angels Pensacola AFCEA Chapter. He has served as an Executive Mentor for the UWF College of Business Executive Mentor Program since its inception. And he is Lead Organizer of 1 Million Cups Pensacola, and Host of the AI Builders Pensacola Meetup.