About me

Technology Leader & Educator

Who I Am

I currently serve as the Technology Director for Haystack Mountain School of Crafts, where I wear two main hats that perfectly capture what I love about my work. As Fab Lab Program Director, I oversee our digital fabrication initiatives—facilitating research and experimentation that brings together traditional craft makers and cutting-edge technology. As IT & Systems Administrator, I manage the technology infrastructure that keeps our community running smoothly.

Over the past five years, I've built comprehensive systems that have helped bring our organization into the 21st century, transitioning from paper-driven processes to modern digital and cloud platforms. But this isn't just about implementing technology for technology's sake—it's about making powerful tools accessible to people who create beautiful, meaningful work with their hands.

Throughout my career, I've found my sweet spot bridging the gap between technical and non-technical worlds. I've established myself as someone who can translate complex systems into language that makes sense, whether I'm helping an artist understand how to use a 3D printer or showing a nonprofit how cloud-based tools can transform their operations. I love getting into the weeds with a problem, unpacking it layer by layer until it makes complete sense—and then figuring out how to teach that understanding to others.

This approach has led me to learn about everything from electronics and programming to organizational psychology and educational theory. But what drives me most is the teaching, mentoring, and collaborating that comes with this work. Every project I take on has some element of community and collaboration at its core, because that's where technology becomes truly powerful.

My Story

I've carved an unconventional career path that has allowed me to learn a wide range of skills and experiences.

Undergraduate: Electrical & Computer System Engineering

2006 - 2010

I went to UMass Amherst for Electrical & Computer System Engineering. Technically, I was in Electrical Engineering, but they forced us to take computer system courses and learn to code. As a musician for most of my youth, I went into the program thinking I'd become a specialized audio engineer with a proper electrical engineering degree—maybe developing custom high-end boutique hardware for recording studios, or developing a recording studio myself.

I even got to start a student-run recording studio for a brief period, which ultimately opened my eyes to the realities of music recording professionally. I didn't like it. But I did like making hardware, and I was introduced to several DIY audio electronics projects, books, and something called an Arduino that was just starting to become popular. I pivoted my focus to more DIY/maker projects that were related to people—either making beginning electronics tutorials or creative electronic projects with artists. I loved operating in the space that still felt relatable and accessible. "Folk electronics" is what I had heard it referred to as.

At a certain point in college, I realized that I was not cut out to be a "real" engineer. Most of my friends were on path to get conventional industry jobs, and this really did not appeal to me. After nearly dropping out of the engineering school and switching majors, I realized there was a space for me to occupy and a nonconventional path for me to take. I decided to view my engineering education as an asset, but not my complete identity.

Post-College: AmeriCorps VISTA & AS220

2010-2014

Entering the workforce during a recession was not great. I did not find a creative job in the engineering field, not for lack of trying, but my advisor made a life-changing recommendation that has led to where I am today. He told me about these spaces called hackerspaces and makerspaces, and even told me about one in Providence, RI that had an AmeriCorps VISTA position open. It was AS220, and the role was to become the Fab Lab coordinator and develop a brand new experimental program.

This is where I discovered the newly established Fab Lab network, a spinoff from MIT's Center for Bits & Atoms, started by Neil Gershenfeld. I knew almost immediately that I had found the community I was looking for. Fab Labs were spaces that combined many different technologies and disciplines all together under one roof—not only electronics and computers, but also fabrication machines that could make physical objects.

AS220 challenged me to really step outside the highly technical space of engineering school and interact with people from all different levels and backgrounds. Yes, there were super geeky members who spoke the same language, but there were also printmakers and photographers and artists who were curious but knew nothing about electronics. It really pushed me to explore myself as a communicator and educator. I had to learn how to lead, and despite having a lot of failures, I failed quickly and often. But working there eventually burned me out—it's a tough workplace and the organization was undergoing internal and financial challenges. After four years, two as a VISTA and two as the Labs Manager, I stepped away.

Graduate School: University of Virginia

2014-2019

After AS220, my now-wife and I decided to move out of Providence. We didn't have any real plans, which I'm sure both our parents felt great about. We packed up our Volvo station wagon—which had the type of seats that perfectly recline into a flat section, great for sleeping—and we set out on a cross-country adventure to do some soul searching.

We spent about six months on the road. During a stop in Charlottesville, Virginia, to visit family, I happened to read about a UVA professor who had just landed a major NSF grant to integrate digital fabrication into local schools. I reached out purely out of curiosity, and that professor, Dr. Glen Bull, ended up hiring me—but only if I enrolled in graduate school to get my PhD.

So I did. For five years, I worked on developing educational STEM kits that recreated historic American inventions like the telegraph, electric motor, and battery. It was a partnership program with the Smithsonian, and was a really exciting project to work on throughout my graduate school experience. Graduate school taught me how to read research, how to write properly, and more about philosophy, thinking, and how people learn and make sense of things. It felt like it filled some gap in my brain that was missing critical thinking skills that engineering school never fully developed.

Haystack Mountain School of Crafts

2019-Present

In my final year at UVA, I was invited to Haystack Mountain School of Crafts in Maine to run their high school internship program. They offered me a job as their first-ever Fab Lab Coordinator, and I've been there ever since, now as Technology Director.

At Haystack, I've gotten to experiment with cutting-edge digital fabrication tools while working with incredibly talented artists. I developed "Haystack Labs," our Fab Lab residency program that brings together traditional craft makers and digital technologists. But equally important, I've been helping the organization transition from being primarily paper-driven to modern, cloud-first operations.

This work has helped me realize what I really love: making technology accessible and solving real problems for people who aren't necessarily "tech people." Whether it's helping a small nonprofit streamline their operations or showing an artist how to integrate digital tools into their practice, I'm energized by helping people feel empowered by technology rather than intimidated by it.

Want to Connect?

I love talking with people about technology. In the past, I have coached, mentored, taught, and given talks. Lately, I've taken on consulting and side projects where my skills and background can add value to an organization. If you are interested please feel free to connect.

Email: hello@jamesdavidrutter.com