James Burgett

All of his life, James Burgett has demonstrated an extraordinary aptitude in computer use, assembly, and programming. Largely self-educated and with little formal training in the technical field, James has spent much of his life enthusiastically sharing with people his discovery that computers are a lot easier than most people think.

Out of new and scrounged parts, he started building computers for himself and then for his family. Soon he was giving computers to friends, neighbors, worthy causes and anyone else who couldn't run away fast enough. Now he is Executive Director of a computer recycling and training program of which he is also the founder.

Over the years, James has acquired experience with an extremely wide variety of computer operating systems and platforms, software applications, hardware and related equipment. From 1992 to 1994, James managed his own computer re-sale, consulting and repair business. In 1994 he founded the non-profit Marin Computer Resource Center in San Rafael, California, which later spawned the Alameda County Computer Resource Center in Oakland, California. The program's mission is to recycle electronic waste through re-use and diversion as well as to help reduce the level of poverty by providing technical education and training in the computer industry.

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