Volunteer Spotlight: Randy Smith

Randy Smith

Randy Smith is a motivated and dedicated Free IT Athens volunteer. When he isn't volunteering at the Athens Farmers Market, Daily Groceries Co-op and the Sparrow's Nest, he can often be found in the Free IT Athens refurbishing space taking apart computers, which he cites as his favorite activity while at Free IT Athens. Randy says that taking apart computers is “much easier than putting them back together” and that volunteering at Free IT Athens has increased his proficiency and knowledge of computers. Randy says his least favorite activity is walking from his apartment in the “90 degree plus heat” to the Free IT Athens space.

Randy was born in Taipei, Taiwan in 1961 and has spent most of his life in Georgia. He came to Athens in 1979 to study political science and economics and has stayed ever since. Randy has spent much of his time in Athens working in the restaurant and bar business, a large sector of the Athens, Georgia economy. Randy initially heard about Free IT Athens through Flagpole Magazine but was unable to volunteer until 2010, when his friend, roommate, and local musician, Tom Walker, informed him of Free IT Athens' activities in the old ACTION, Inc. space.

When Randy isn't dedicating his time to the Athens community, he enjoys reading books on history, biographies, and cultural works as well as playing chess, cooking, drinking, and hiking. Free IT Athens is grateful to have an energetic volunteer like Randy; he has been a great addition to helping Free IT Athens achieve its mission in Athens.