Who We Are

Free Geek Twin Cities is a community of technology enthusiasts dedicated to digital inclusion, reuse, and responsible recycling. We accomplish this by providing affordable electronics, offering education and experience, and repurposing technology.

OUR MISSION

Free Geek Twin Cities is a 501(c)(3) organization with a mission to sustainably reuse technology, enable digital access, and provide education to create a community that empowers people to realize their potential.

The Digital Divide and e-Waste are two issues that can result from progression in the fields of science and technology. At Free Geek, we aim to combat these issues by pointing them at one another!

WHAT IS FREE GEEK TWIN CITIES?

The Digital Divide and Education

There are still many people in our community that do not have access to computers and the Internet, or do not possess the skills to adequately leverage these technologies. There are many reasons for this gap in our population, but one of our main goals is alleviate this problem through work and education. Volunteers work in programs where they gain skills on how to use, build, and understand computers.

With the rapid growth of technology, our community has created large quantities of electronic waste. FGTC accepts this waste and its first goal is to reuse this material and refurbish it into a new computer to give to volunteers or to sell in our thrift store. It is not always possible to reuse all the materials we get, so we are dedicated to recycling those materials in a way that is both environmentally and socially friendly.

Electronic Waste and Reuse

History

Free Geek Twin Cities (FGTC) is inspired by the original Free Geek Portland, founded in 1999 to tackle the growing e-waste problem. While Free Geek Portland has grown into a massive operation, Free Geek Twin Cities is still relatively young.  Free Geek Twin Cities has been founded in 2010.

There are a few Free Geeks across the country, but all operate independently of one another. 

We’ve been all over south Minneapolis, from all sorts of buildings (including a firehouse!) to our current location in Seward next to Memory Lanes. 

In 2020, we redesigned our thrift store. We are grateful for the continued support of computer geeks close and far, and excited for the road ahead!

For more videos about FGTC click here

Meet the Team

  • I began volunteering at Free Geek around 2015, discovering it while searching for a power supply for my dad’s computer. I love my job and can’t wait to see what fun items come through the door—from a working PC inside a convection oven to vintage cash registers running DOOM! Outside of Free Geek, I’m a proud cat dad to two wonderful cats, Kramer and Zalmuna, who sometimes take a stroll across my keyboard while I’m working. I also hoard CDs, with a collection totaling over 500GB.

  • I found out about Free Geek Twin Cities through the retro gaming scene. I had gotten deeply into the hobby during the pandemic, and when I found out about Free Geek, I knew I had to come in and volunteer. I helped out for a couple of years in the Retro department, but as a lifelong Mac user, when the Apple job opened up, I knew I had to apply. I really love getting the opportunity to work on such a wide variety of machines - from modern M-series Macs all the way back to Apple IIs from the late 70s - and keep them working, preserved, and in the hands of people who will enjoy and make use of them.

    I'm very passionate about history of all kinds. Outside of Free Geek, I'm a Ph.D student in film history and will gladly talk your ear off about it, given half a chance.

  • I first tagged along to Free Geek with a good friend of mine who likes to tinker, but I didn't actively shop here myself until I rediscovered my love of photography and started digging through the bins of used cameras. I stopped finding fresh camera stock after a while, and when I found out they didn't have a dedicated person on the team to handle that stuff, I volunteered. After a few months of coming in once or twice a week, the job in the store opened up, and I pounced.

    Obviously, I like getting to play with cameras and draw a regular paycheck, but that's not enough for me to love this place the way I do. Free Geek is really special because it attracts all kinds of enthusiastic nerds who just make it a fun place to be, and I've found I love helping people in the store, especially if they're unfamiliar with technology. It's meaningful and never dull. I learn new things every single day I come in, and I've made real friends here. I even have my own volunteer now!

    I'm originally from Memphis, TN. I came to Minneapolis to attend MCAD, where I majored in Comic Art. So yeah, I'm a published cartoonist and illustrator. If you'd like to see samples of my work, you can view my portfolio at https://diananock.artstation.com/

  • Charles is a key teammate in the facilitating and processing donations from the community.

  • My job involves planning and teaching free tech classes to our local community, and I have a blast doing it. In my spare time, I host 2 YouTube channels: Retro Tech Toys and The Thrifty Guitarist. I have a serious passion for restoring retro tech to its former glory and keeping things out of landfills. Retro tech is a part of our technological history, and it’s my belief that it should be preserved.

    I’m very much into personal computers from 1977 - 1992. That includes PC, Macs, Commodore, Atari, and just about anything else that falls into that time period. I also enjoy retro and modern console gaming and have what some might consider questionable taste in music.

  • I stumbled my way into Free Geek with the intent on helping both the retro AND gaming department. I ended up sticking to gaming like a tick and, well, here we are.

    I love that Free Geek is not only a combination of every hobby that I love, but it's taking those hobbies and turning them into an important asset to the community. I get geek out AND help the community! Not to mention helping the Earth.

    Former co-owner of Games N Go Rosedale. Graduated from Metropolitan State University with a bachelor's in Computer Forensics and a minor in Cybersecurity. Graduated with a certificate of Computer Technology from Normandale Community College.

    I love helping revive dead games, as well as preserving prototypes or old or lost games. My dreams (nightmares?) often feature finding prototype carts at Free Geek with exposed EEPROM windows...

  • Everyone online knows me as Mr.Mind. I am the creator of the retro category and the unofficial “Retro King” of Free Geek. I found Free Geek while looking for retro parts, and I was enchanted by the idea of saving old computers while building a retro community. I started the retro room so volunteers can experience the history of computers and bring back the childhood joy of experimenting with “new” old tech at the same time.

    Some fun facts about me are: I have a pet cat named Julie, I love dancing, trying new foods and going on hikes.

    Outside of Free Geek, I do a range of academic things. I’ve been part of a panel of experts at a conference hosted by the European Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, and part of another panel of experts at a conference hosted by Women’s Wear Daily. I am also the author of The Economics of Online Gaming: A Player’s Introduction to Economic Thinking, a book about using a video game to make economics more exciting and easier to understand. I used to travel – I’ve been to all 50 states – but now I spend more time at home with my wife and son.

  • I discovered Free Geek through a Craigslist post for a vintage computer I was interested in. Once I stepped foot in the building and saw all the cool tech, I was instantly hooked! I started running the Audio Department in 2020, audio has been a long term passion and i genuinely love my job. Free Geek has a fantastic mission, and this place is truly magical - there is never a dull moment! In my spare time I enjoy collecting and repairing arcade/pinball machines, AV gear, computers, CRTs, and other interesting or obscure tech.

  • I found Free Geek through a friend! I love Free Geek’s mission and goals. I’m glad to be able to help the environment and the community. It’s also pretty fun to see fun stuff come in all the time.

    My favorite hobbies at the moment include anything audio/music related, cars, video games, and spending time with friends, family, and my dogo’s.

  • I joined Free Geek Twin Cities in April 2024, excited by the mission to make tech accessible while keeping e-waste out of landfills. My background is in nonprofit workI know how important it is to have community-focused programs that make a real difference. I’m a proud AmeriCorps alum, having served with NCCC and the Student Conservation Corps.

    At Free Geek, I’m surrounded by an incredible team of staff and volunteers who bring their energy and brilliance to everything we do. I love helping to make things run smoother and to build partnerships that extend our reach. Outside of work, you’ll find me doing crossword puzzles, hanging out with my cat Leon, or riding my bike around the Twin Cities—and even across Iowa for RAGBRAI!

  • I came to Free Geek because I wanted a community-oriented role and I was curious about sustainability in the context of e-waste. Working with such passionate and dedicated people is a huge bonus to this job - and being in an environment where I’m constantly learning. It feels great to be working together to make the community a better and more inclusive place.

    Some fun facts about me are: I have a pet cat named Julie, I love dancing, trying new foods and going on hikes.

  • What brought me to Free Geek? Initially, being stuck at home during COVID and having no job really was getting to me, even as an introvert. Volunteering to help sort things was just what I needed. What keeps me at Free Geek? From the people, to nostalgia, seeing the passion everyone has for wanting to save old tech that can still be used or preserved for history.

    In my free time I love gaming, mainly Final Fantasy XIV, as well as cosplaying at conventions and being an overall nerd! ♥

  • My job consists of distributing laptops and accessories to Hennepin County residents in need of financial assistance. I am proud to support the community in this way; it never feels like work to me. I graduated from the University of Minnesota with a Computer Science degree in 2022 and I’m enamored with all eras of computing.

    I live right here in Minneapolis with my partner and Siamese cat. I am a huge fan of baseball and mechanical keyboards.

  • I found out about this place online while applying for jobs and thought it seemed like a cool place. I like how comfortable and easy-going the work environment is. It’s vastly different from corporate stuff - in a good way! A fun fact about me is that I am left-handed. In my free time, I like to read books, mostly thrillers.

  • Roman supports the store’s operations on Sundays.

  • I found Free Geek the same way many people do, through a “This Does Not Compute” video! I loved Free Geek’s mission and tech preservation mentality and decided to apply for a job. I also love seeing what cool, rare tech comes through the door every day and how people fix it up! I have two cats, love all kinds of video games and music, and am getting married next year!

    In my free time I love gaming, mainly Final Fantasy XIV, as well as cosplaying at conventions and being an overall nerd! ♥

  • Wes is a long - tenured member of Free Geek who leads the volunteer recycling efforts.

Meet the Board

  • I found out about Free Geek when I was looking for volunteer opportunities that I could do with my teenage children. They were both very interested in technology so this seemed like a great fit.

    I love Free Geek because they are helpful to so many different people in different ways. If you cannot afford technology that is necessary today, they can help. If you want to find something unique, they receive unique donations every week that will be process and put in the thrift store. There are so many different volunteer opportunities that you can learn something new each time you come.

    In my day job, I am an audit partner with KPMG LLP. I try to use the skills that I have learned at KPMG to always look for ways to make Free Geek even better.

  • My name is Dan Balette and I am a Finance Manager by day, amateur home renovator by night and a Mac enthusiast on the weekends. 

    My aim as a Board Member is to help Free Geek Twin Cities continue to grow and prosper!

  • My connection to Free Geek Twin Cities was created serendipitously through the most perfect alignment of stars in my personal life and career.

    I’m a 22 year career technology nerd with an intense passion for IT Asset Management - the world in which IT hardware and software are nurtured and cared for from cradle to grave.

    I strive to focus every aspect of my personal life and career on minimizing waste and encouraging reuse. I am an outdoor enthusiast adventurer, traveler, weight lifter, mountain biker, hiker, gardener, baker, avid reader, and hockey mom of one.

  • I am a Twin Cities native with over 30 years of professional IT experience focused on Support and Operations for web-based Enterprise software deployments.  I got my IT-start running a BBS on an Apple ][GS out of my bedroom when I was a teenager, learning many key skills from family and other community members in the Twin Cities that set me up for a successful IT career.  I was drawn to Free Geek Twin Cities after some amazing experiences with volunteers when donating some equipment, as providing access to affordable technology is a great, sustainable way to help the next generation break into the tech industry.  

Contact Form

Job Opportunities

Our hiring terminal is currently in sleep mode. Check back later to reboot your opportunity!