Albee's Story

"My interest in technology began at a very young age; before I was ten I was taking things apart to see how they worked. It would be many years before I learned how to put them back together :-)

My first computer experience (other than video games) was learning to program BASIC on a Commodore Vic-20 (with a whopping 20Kb of RAM). I soon upgraded to a Commodore 64.

My professional IT life began after my freshman year of college when I got a summer job working for a civil engineer. He realized that paying me to learn computer-aided design (AutoCAD) would be a good investment, since he didn't know how to use it and needed someone who did. In addition to becoming a skilled CAD operator, I became responsible for all of the computers in the office.

A succession of CAD/IT jobs followed as I worked my way through college; ultimately I earned a BA in music, with a focus on trumpet performance.

In 1995 I graduated from college and decided to strike out on my own as an IT consultant. At the same time I became professionally involved with Summa Institute. Thus began my passion for non-profits and the work that they do in the community. As the IT director for Summa, I developed a broad skill set that includes web design and construction, desktop publishing, small group database administration, phone systems, bookkeeping, human resources administration, government compliance, budget creation and board reporting.

In parallel with my work in IT I trained to become a challenge course facilitator and workshop leader in human development. I also did some graduate work in human and organizational development at the Fielding Graduate University. I have over 15 years of experience as an adult education workshop leader and trainer, and 18 years of leading children of all ages in outdoor education and challenge course activities.

I also co-authored a book on cooperative games called Win-Win Games for All Ages., and serve on the board of the Transformative Learning Foundation."

Albee lives with his family in Portland, Oregon.

Derick's Story

"My interest in IT started with my family reaching out to me for help with their computers. I came to enjoy problem solving and helping others and I began to branch out more to help friends with their various IT questions and projects including website creation and design. I was born and raised in Miami and moved to Michigan for college. I received my B.A. in Psychology from Calvin College in 2012. When I first graduated college, I worked as a youth treatment specialist and interpreter on a substance abuse unit before starting my first IT role. My first IT role was a Tech Support role at a high school which allowed me to gain more experience with various operating systems including Windows, Mac OS and networking equipment.

I recently obtained my first certification - the Systems Security Certified Practitioner Certification from (ISC)2. Shortly after moving from Michigan to Oregon, I met Albee and joined the Faster Connections team."

Derick lives with his family in Cornelius, OR

Eric's Story

"Unlike most people who work in the IT field I did not get an interest in computers until later in life. We had some computers growing up, but they were mainly used for playing video games and I definitely was not allowed to take them apart for learning purposes.

While pursuing Criminal Justice courses at Clackamas Community College, I took some Introduction to Computers and Networking classes to fill in missing credits. This ultimately led me to change directions and I started working on a degree in Network Administration. About a year into working on my degree I got my first job in the technology field installing phone systems and Internet connections for businesses in the Portland and southwest Washington areas. That job is where I was introduced to Albee while serving some mutual clients.

I later moved on to a managed IT service provider based in Beaverton, working in different roles ranging from phone support to infrastructure monitoring. While there I was able to complete my degree, earning a Bachelor's in IT Security from Western Governors University. After a few years of working there I was offered the opportunity to come work with the team at Faster Connections."

Eric lives with his family in Gladstone, OR