New River Computing Staff

JEFF WYNN, President and IT Consultant

Jeff Wynn is an IT consultant and President of New River Computing. Starting with Mac and Windows NT servers, Jeff has administered IT resources for small businesses and nonprofits since 1993. Jeff began his private consulting work in 1999, and has been serving businesses in the New River Valley since that time. Jeff became a full-time consultant in 2004, when he founded New River Computing.

Jeff's favorite consulting work is coming onsite to new clients. Problems tend to be widespread, and fast fixes in troubled IT environments are easy to find, instantly improving productivity of employees and increasing the security of clients' networks. Jeff is particularly proud of New River Computing's client retention: Nearly every client Jeff has had is still a New River Computing client.

Jeff Wynn received his BS in Engineering Science and Mechanics in 1991 and MS in Environmental Engineering in 1993. Jeff was systems administrator for Appalachian Trail Conservancy (then Conference) from 1993 to 1998. From 1998 to 2004 he worked for Biological Systems Engineering as a programmer and analyst. Since then, he's focused his professional efforts exclusively on New River Computing.

KAREN LOFERSKI, CFO and IT Consultant

Karen Loferski is an IT Consultant and CFO for New River Computing. Her lifelong education about computers dates back to her first FORTRAN class in 1974 and continues through the present day. Karen joined New River Computing in September 2005 after a decade of working as a Financial Administrator. Prior to that, she was a full-time mother, and before that a chemist.

Karen’s expertise is troubleshooting workstations and their software. She enjoys working with clients and helping them learn how to get the most from the programs that they use in their businesses. Karen also manages the day to day operations of New River Computing.

Karen graduated with a BS from Colorado State University in Forest Biology, and went on to get her MS in Tree Physiology from Oregon State University. She came to Blacksburg with her husband and worked in the Wood Chemistry laboratory and the Anaerobic Microbiology laboratory, then took a ten year hiatus from her career to raise her children. No matter where she has worked, Karen has always been that person in the company that everyone counted on to make their computers function, so she decided to make a career of it a few years ago and has never been happier.

Hansen Ball, COO and IT Consultant

Hansen is an IT Consultant and COO of New River Computing, having joined the company in May, 2006. Hansen works with Windows servers and desktops, networking, routing, and many other aspects of business technology. He enjoys working and communicating with clients on a day-to-day basis. "For me, it's the personal contact that I enjoy the most. I really like being able to communicate with a user, analyze and then solve the issue, and leave with a better understanding of how people are using their technology throughout the day."

Hansen grew up and attended grade school in Southern Anne Arundel County, in Maryland. Computers have always been an interest, beginning with an Atari 800 in the early 1980's. He started at Virginia Tech in the fall of 1986, where he immediately fell in with a group of ruffians who included Jeff Wynn, eventually graduating with a BS in Math and a minor in English.

After graduation, Hansen went on to run a restaurant and bar on a dude ranch in the Black Hills of South Dakota, perform analysis for a casino management company, and organize food costs for a variety of Black Hills restaurants. Hansen finally came back East to take some classes toward a graduate degree in Economics, again at Virginia Tech. He moved on to take his first full time Systems Administration position with the Appalachian Trail Conference, in Harpers Ferry, West Virginia. (Interestingly, the person leaving that job was none other than Jeff Wynn.) After a few years Hansen moved to Waterborne Environmental in Leesburg, Virginia, performing intensive database consolidation as well as taking care of their Systems Administration needs. After a few years in Leesburg, Jeff mentioned that he was looking for a third person for New River Computing, and for the last three years, Hansen has lived in Blacksburg, helping local businesses keep their computers and networks running smoothly.

Mark Phillips, System Administrator

Mark joined NRC in March 2009 and has been involved with Systems and Network Administration for 10+ years.  He currently holds degrees in Instrumentation from NRCC and a B.S. in Business Administration and Information Systems from Old Dominion University.

Having years of experience with computer repair and virus/malware removal, Mark strives to maintain clean, smooth-running machines for clients. His background in troubleshooting network and computer problems for end-users and small businesses ensures an ability to communicate well, provide quality service, and excellent technical support.

Matthew Stuart, IT Technician

With nearly a decade of IT experience, Matthew joined NRC in October of 2009. His interest in computers dates back to his first encounters with Apple IIe and Tandy 2000 computer systems. Since then, he has worked as a computer consultant for several businesses and private professionals. As a natural entrepreneur, Matthew began his own local IT business, PerCeptive Computer Solutions, and served as sole proprietor before joining the NRC team.

As an IT consultant, Matthew strives to offer excellent computer troubleshooting and support, while guiding clients through the understanding of their own computer systems. In addition, he encourages clients to gain familiarity and understand the benefits of new and ever-changing technological advancements.