Albee Kara | Ben Latterell

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, a non-profit which I still serve. 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 now 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."

Albee lives in Portland, Oregon with his wife and 2 daughters.

Ben's Story

Ben and Albee began working together back in 2009 when Ben was the IT Technician at Portland YouthBuilders. Since that time Ben and Albee have continued to collaborate on many technical projects for a variety of clients across the Portland metro area.

Ben obtained a degree in Information Systems from Appalachian State University in Boone, North Carolina in 2006.

After university, he moved back to Oregon to begin his career in independent IT consulting, primarily serving the non-profit and scientific/medical research communities. Ben has always been infused in various technical communities when it comes to hardware and software configuration and administration. When he isn't working with his IT or Photography clients, he is out snowboarding, cycling, and enjoying the gorgeous outdoor environment that the Portland area offers.

Go to our Non-Profit Tech page!