What is your position with Data Doctors?

I’m a co-owner of Data Doctors. While Ken Colburn founded the company in 1988, I joined in 1996 and have been working alongside Ken as a partner in growing and developing the business. I help oversee our strategic direction while ensuring we maintain our commitment to quality service and community involvement.

What excites you most about your work?

What continues to excite me after all these years is seeing how technology can transform lives when properly supported. I love that we can take something that seems hopelessly broken or confusing to someone and turn it into a solution that makes their life better. The gratitude from customers when we’ve rescued their precious photos or gotten their business back online is incredibly rewarding.

Describe the partnership with AZ StRUT.

Our partnership with AZ StRUT represents a perfect alignment of values. Data Doctors has always been committed to responsible technology practices, and AZ StRUT’s mission of refurbishing technology for educational use while providing vocational training creates a complete cycle of sustainability and community impact. We serve as a collection point for donated technology, help spread awareness about AZ StRUT’s mission, and provide technical expertise when needed. It’s a relationship that benefits everyone involved — our customers get a responsible way to dispose of technology, students receive valuable equipment, and together we keep harmful e-waste out of landfills.

How does the partnership impact your customers?

This partnership strengthens our commitment to complete technology lifecycle management. For our customers, it provides a trusted avenue to donate their used technology, knowing it will be handled responsibly and potentially benefit students. For Data Doctors, it enhances our reputation as a socially responsible business while allowing us to offer an additional valuable service.

Is there a story that stands out?

During the COVID pandemic, our collection efforts for the hotspot initiative really stand out. When schools went remote, we saw firsthand how the digital divide was affecting students without reliable internet access. Our stores became active collection points, and customers would come in specifically to donate devices after hearing about the program. One elderly gentleman brought in several unused tablets and laptops from his family, saying he had grandchildren and understood how important education was. Seeing the community rally through our locations to support students during that challenging time was incredibly moving.

What is Data Doctors’ most outstanding strength?

Our greatest strength is our ability to demystify technology for everyday people. We’ve built our reputation on making complex technical issues approachable and fixable, always with a focus on education rather than just repairs. Our technicians don’t just fix problems; they help customers understand what happened and how to prevent issues in the future. This educational approach creates trust and long-term relationships with our customers.

Mesa Chamber of Commerce — May 12

We kicked off the celebrations on May 12 with the Mesa Chamber of Commerce, who helped us commemorate the opening of our new space. Their support has been instrumental throughout our growth, and we’re grateful for their warm welcome as we expand our services across Arizona.

Tempe Chamber of Commerce — May 19

Just one week later on May 19, the Tempe Chamber of Commerce hosted our second ribbon cutting during a special Open House. This gathering brought together guests from across the country visiting Arizona for the National Digital Inclusion Alliance (NDIA) conference — an inspiring opportunity to connect with digital inclusion leaders and showcase our new facility.