STAFF
Kyle Kline Executive Director
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!
Mac Coordinator
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.
Diana
Store Operations
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/
Roman
Store Operations
Roman supports the store’s operations on Sundays.
Will
Inventory Specialist
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!
Charles
Intake Specialist
Kamala
e-Waste Recycling Coordinator
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.
Amanda
Gaming Dept. Coordinator
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...
Jeremy Operations Manager
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 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.
Store Operations
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.
Shannon Inventory Specialist
I initially joined Free Geek as a modern build volunteer, which then shifted to doing part-time inventory work during college. While I've since gone on to get a full time job elsewhere, I still help out at Free Geek when I can (mostly processing Kindles and tablets). It's nice to feel like I'm making an impact in the environment and in the community. Plus, the coworkers are great!
In my spare time I enjoy drawing, hiking, crochet, and the occasional video game.
Maria
Inventory Specialist
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! ♥
Jackson
A.V. Dept. Coordinator
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.
Wes
Recycling Operations
Adam Technology Trainer
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.
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.
Andrew - Retro Dept. Lead
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.
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.
BOARD
Paul Patefield - Chair
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.
Mike Jasperson
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.
Chris Cairo
Dan Balette
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!
Sarah Carsello
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.