Steering Committee

Dr. Harry (Bud) Rizer has been involved with the National Cristina Foundation since its inception over 30 years ago, initially as a board member and eventually joining the Foundation staff as CEO in 2008.

Bud’s career has centered on the fields of disability and technology as a clinician, researcher and instructor. He has developed assistive technology projects throughout the country and has lectured internationally.

Bud serves as the Project Coordinator for AFTRR, directing the resources of NCF to best function as the project’s backbone.

Brian has 20+ years experience in Information Technology and Web Development. For the last 15 years he has used his skills in software development and systems design to bring non-profits advancements usually only seen in the corporate sector.

As Director of IT & Communications with National Cristina Foundation (NCF), Brian continues to develop relationships with corporations and non-profits alike. These partnerships have enabled NCF to develop information services and ever-increasing donation channels for non-profits around the globe.

Mark Casper is a firm believer in leading by example. He has 20 years of experience in Sales and Service as well as Project and Operations Management with Federal, State and Commercial entities Accountability, honesty, discipline, teamwork, and leadership, are values cultivated during his childhood as the son of a Korean War Veteran, and reinforced by his schooling and military training while in the United States Marine Corps.

Mark founded Federal Street Consulting, a Small Business Administration Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business (SDVOSB), Veterans Affairs Center for Verification and Evaluation (CVE) certified offering Program/Project Management, Cyber Security, Training, and IT services.

The Virginia Student Training and Refurbishment program (VA STAR) students refurbish surplus hardware from state agencies or private companies and earn IT repair certification. Once refurbished, these computers are donated to families and organizations who need a computer.

Students in the VA STAR program can earn IT repair certifications and skill sets that can develop into well paying jobs. The program is administered through Prince William County Public schools and its SPARK Education Foundation. Forest Park High School in Prince William County is the model site for the Commonwealth of Virginia.

VA STAR is currently in 45 school districts and 73 schools throughout the Commonwealth.

Michael joined Kramden Institute in August 2011 to lead the organization as it grows and expands in fulfilling its core mission from the Triangle region to across all of North Carolina. He relocated back to Cary after more than thirteen years living and working in Washington, DC as a campaign manager, fundraising and political consultant and, most recently, in international government relations. Michael received his B.A. in Political Science from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and his M.A. in Political Management from the George Washington University.

Dave remains an Apple computer consultant in his 26th year serving Western PA, WV, OH, MD.

In addition to serving Apple clients in homes, schools and business, Dave formed the North Pittsburgh Macintosh Users Group in 1996. That organization spawned the Mac Missionaries volunteer-based recycling effort, later expanding operations in 2010 to create Computer Reach, a 501c3 designated public charity. In 2012 Dave expanded Computer Reach beyond Apple refurbishing to include PCs running Linux and mobile devices.

Electronic Access Foundation Inc. (EAF) is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization established for the purpose of donating surplus electronic equipment to other qualified charitable organizations in need.
EAF obtains donations through partnership with corporations, universities, and organizations by offering them an alternative to recycling of their surplus electronic equipment. In return for their donations, EAF offers these corporations, universities, and organizations:

– Tax deduction for the fair market value of equipment
– Removal of the equipment at no cost
– Secure data sanitation at no cost, including hard drive-specific electronic reporting

We are dedicated to the reuse of the surplus electronic equipment, as opposed to the recycling as waste, as a commitment to the community and environment. EAF is able to offer the same services as an IT asset recovery company while making sure the community at large will benefit from the material being donated

The Wilderness Technology Alliance (WTA) began in the late 1980’s as the “The Mount Rainier Technology Camp,” a company-funded project of Trinity Technology, Inc. Trinity was a leading West Coast provider of personal computers and networks. From 1983 to 2000, Trinity Technology served corporations, government agencies and the general public out of offices in Los Angeles, Portland and Seattle. It was also a major computer supplier to public education.

Casey Sorensen is the Executive Director of PCs for People. He graduated from Minnesota State University Mankato with a degree in Computer Information Systems. While he attended MSU, Casey volunteered for a small county run program called PCs for People. After college Casey worked as a Technology Consultant with Deloitte Consulting. Casey enjoyed the travel and challenges of the work, but decided he was ready for a career change. Casey reconnected with Andrew Elofson and they decided to formalize and expand the PCs for People program. In 2008 Casey incorporated and established PCs for People as a 501(c)(3) non-profit and opened up the corporate headquarters in St. Paul, MN. PCs for People has since grown to distribute thousands of computers each year to families in need.

Free Geek’s mission is to sustainably reuse technology, enable digital access, and provide education to create a community that empowers people to realize their potential. We believe digital technology should be accessible to everyone at minimal cost, regardless of ability/disability, age, class, culture, gender identity, geography, literacy, nationality, physical appearance, race, sex, sexual orientation, or spoken language.

human-I-T connects low-income individuals and nonprofits to technology, internet, and digital training. By reusing instead of recycling electronics, our team transforms e-waste into opportunities to promote digital inclusion and digital access. Donate your technology and become a champion in your community. Sending technology to a recycler can result in shredding or the shipment of your technology overseas. Give yourself an opportunity to make a difference in your community by promoting reuse and helping those in need.