About Us
Michael and Wanda Buckner co-founded Personal Computer Power Center (PCPC) in 1990. We have had a continuous presence in the Times Square area of New York City, conveniently located for rapid access to our outsourced client’s offices and buildings. In 2021 we opened our Hingham (Boston) region offices.
Networking and Info Security is baked into our corporate DNA. Providing the best friendly, happy, and technically competent support is our core value. For many years PCPC’s technology resources supporting our clients have been cloud based. The same model has been provided to many of our clients during the past decade. This ensured that they were resilient in handling the challenges of the Covid lockdowns so that their businesses and organizations continued to thrive. Adept in both Microsoft 365 Azure Cloud solutions and the Google Enterprise Suites PCPC provides no limits to our client’s ability to scale and grow. Securing our client’s information and systems is a driver for ALL the best of breed solutions we support. PCPC has been an Intel and Microsoft Partner since the dealer channel programs began. We continue to procure and integrate hardware and software from leading firms, such as Datto, HP, Lenovo, Asus, AMD, Gigabyte, Cisco, Sonicwall, and many others.
The Team
Andrew Bernstein
Andy began working with Michael Buckner in 1985 at the Computer Studio. During his career he transitioned from hardware repair and end user support to networking. After he left TCS, he worked with Novell and Microsoft servers handling field deployments and service for several MSP firms. In 2004 Andy set up his own network support firm with a roster of distinguished NYC restaurants and small businesses. In 2019, shortly prior to Covid-19 lockdowns Andy joined PCPC as a senior field engineer. As with all PCPC staff he is also a key team member serving the client dedicated help desk services. Andy is a wiz with cloud apps and has most recently been passionate about setting up client’s new conference rooms and streaming facilities.
Andy loves music, especially live shows. He also enjoys collecting comics and original comic art – it’s his hobby, along with traveling.
Michael Buckner
Michael has been working in the computer technology field since 1983. As the co-founder of PCPC, Michael worked with our lead technicians to beta test the first Windows networking product (ver. 3.1). When Microsoft cloud solutions became effective Michael ensured that PCPC adopted all the technology needed to provide our clients with Azure Windows Virtual desktops, virtual servers, and Advanced Threat Detection.
He has served as outsourced CTO for Bailey House (now part of Housing Works, NYC) and trusted advisor to many others. He was a voting board member of the Technology Board of the Mt. Sinai PPS DISRIP initiative from 2015-2018. Most recently during and after the Covid-19 lockdowns, he has directly managed client initiatives ranging from Azure Cloud migrations to designing streaming conference rooms and mobile video facilities for our non-profit schools. The central value of PCPC’s core DNA is our commitment to customer service first.
Wanda Buckner
Wanda co-founded PCPC in 1991. She is the Chairperson of the PCPC Board and oversees our Finance unit. As an expert utilizing networked accounting solutions with Computer Associates and Crystal Reports, Wanda was able to provide PCPC clients with many time saving and effective bookkeeping solutions. For smaller clients Wanda’s wizardry with QuickBooks rescued many distressed Executive directors. Wanda was eagerly sought as a virtual Director of Accounting for PCPC’s leading clients. After years of serving in this capacity with PCPC and its clients, Wanda took on a role as Grants and Contracts Manager and Donor Liaison for a major AIDS research organization. In 2009 she joined the AVAC non-profit organization and currently serves as their Finance Director. She brings strong insights into our operations in the non-profit sector and legal fields.
David Chong
David graduated from NYU with a BS in Information Systems Management and Networking. After working in technology for childcare services, he joined PCPC in 2006 as a network engineer and administrator. During the past eight years David has been the senior engineer supporting PCPC’s largest clients.
David has a strong passion for video streaming and production which has assisted many users during this Zoom/ Teams era. He is a technology enthusiast on empowering humankind to expand creativity, productivity and continuous learning. For recreation, David likes venturing outdoors, camping, skiing, and traveling. He also dabs into digital photography and rides an e-scooter.
Matthew LaClair
Starting as our Business Manager, Matthew has become instrumental in our delivery of system administration solutions, procurement services, client satisfaction, and project management for many clients. He is a wiz with software interfaces and adapting to and implementing new technologies. He has also become a key player in delivering SSO project solutions utilizing Google Workspace, Microsoft Azure AAD, and Okta identity management solutions.
Prior to joining PCPC, Matthew was a student activist defending church/state separation and science education in public schools, later becoming a talk-show host on WBAI 99.5FM in NYC. Somewhere along the way he earned a master's in journalism (focus on science reporting) from Columbia University. He enjoys cooking, mixing cocktails, and going outside to appreciate nature.
Hollis Forde
Hollis attended NYIT and interned with TWU Local 100 where he got his initial start in working in IT professionally. He continued his professional technology career at PCPC as a field engineer with a focus in Cyber Security. He became a trained Security assessment Rapid Fire technician performing several audits for PCPC clients. For the past two years he has been a lead help desk team member as well.
In his free time, Hollis enjoys anime/manga and RPG video games.
Philip Foley
Even prior to receiving his juris doctorate degree, Phil worked at a prominent NYC law firm becoming a de facto in-house I.T. support associate. Several years later, he left to pursue an entrepreneurial venture in Georgia and then returned to NYC working as a remote help desk technician for an enterprise outsourcing company. After joining PCPC, Phil rapidly became an invaluable team member for the central help desk completing certifications for the ConnectWise PSA, Datto business continuity and recovery programs, and most recently a certified advanced Addigy Apple manger.
Outside of work, Phil is a big fan of the New York Yankees and has visited all 50 states.
Andrew Bernstein
Andy began working with Michael Buckner in 1985 at the Computer Studio. During his career he transitioned from hardware repair and end user support to networking. After he left TCS, he worked with Novell and Microsoft servers handling field deployments and service for several MSP firms. In 2004 Andy set up his own network support firm with a roster of distinguished NYC restaurants and small businesses. In 2019, shortly prior to Covid-19 lockdowns Andy joined PCPC as a senior field engineer. As with all PCPC staff he is also a key team member serving the client dedicated help desk services. Andy is a wiz with cloud apps and has most recently been passionate about setting up client’s new conference rooms and streaming facilities.
Andy loves music, especially live shows. He also enjoys collecting comics and original comic art – it's his hobby, along with traveling.
Pritesh Brid
During his first two years working for Continuum’s NOC division Pritesh rose to a Level 3 Technician in the NOC division. Pritesh is trained in a diverse range of Microsoft server products and support. Recently at PCPC Pritesh has worked with our Azure project team in managing and scaling our client’s Azure hosted servers and Microsoft’s Windows Virtual Desktop environments. He is also a manager of PCPC patch management systems. Pritesh is engaged as a full-time dedicated staff member assigned to PCPC by ConnectWise. He also serves as a Project Manager for PCPC’s contract work with ConnectWise for weekend and after-hours projects.
Other than being an IT professional, Pritesh has an interest in cooking and traveling. He also likes long drives and motorcycle rides
Donald Lora
Donald comes to PCPC with a strong commitment to our core values for customer support and professional excellence. He has spent years serving on and then managing the help desks for the New York Mets. In that position he served over 600 clients from one central office, as well as developing many procedures to facilitate client satisfaction. For several years Donald covered nearly all bases of network support and development. Most recently he has been doing the same for the resurgent FAO Schwartz store and company in Manhattan. Donald is committed to documenting solutions to better serve PCPC clients. He is especially interested in Cyber Security and is now completing a master’s in cyber security from Utica College.
His hobbies are playing sports and doing activities outdoors. He also enjoys traveling a lot and can't wait to start traveling with his son.
Jessica Ibragimov
Jessica graduated with a dual degree in Psychology and Philosophy from the City College of New York. Upon graduation, she saw a new wave of technological advancement and decided to shift her career path to pursue cybersecurity instead. She has taken several certificate courses in the field where she learned that her background in psychology can help her understand the hacker's mindset. While she is new to the IT field, she comes to PCPC with dedication and a fiery student mentality ready to learn anything and everything about cybersecurity to better protect our clients.
Jessica’s interests are building an aquarium at home and cooking from all different cultures.
Ayush Arneja
Ayush is from India, working remotely for PCPC. He was working with Convergys with Client Microsoft, as a Senior directory services engineer, supporting multiple MSPs. He has worked with active directory and dhcp issues. He has a bachelors in Electronics and Communication Engineering. He is currently pursuing a Masters in Cybersecurity.
Outside of work, Ayush is a person that likes to cook a lot as it makes everyone happy. He is also a very talkative person and wants to learn everything fast.
Elizabeth Platchkov
Liz turned to technology during her career in the NY fashion industry. For years she supported systems conducting sophisticated trading in foreign export/imports. PCPC was able to persuade her to become our highly praised ticket dispatcher and customer contact support. Liz is training on the more advanced features of our PSA systems with ConnectWise university.
Liz loves playing chess with magnus on her app whenever she gets the chance as she finds chess fascinating and good training for both brain strategy and critical thinking.
Amanda Alyea
Amanda comes to PCPC with the goals of improving our customer “journey” and end user experience. She is our Client Success manager. She has been a professional wildlife educator in Oregon and most recently in Boston at the famed New England Zoo. As an educator she has used digital media and technology to train staff, create documentation, manage tours and educational summer programs. Coming to PCPC is a career change for Amanda. She is especially focused on assisting PCPC to deliver to all our clients a very strong client-focused support experience.
Her interests are diverse as a reader, artist, and remains committed to wildlife and environmental preservation. She currently spends her free time reading and playing videogames.
Lisa Pham
Lisa joined PCPC with a year of marketing experience and data analytics with a leading pharmaceutical firm. Lisa has an educational background in both advertising and business management. During her college years, she has produced her own fashion blog, served as HR Admin for the National Association of Asian American Professionals, and President of ASIABU. Lisa will be working with the industry’s leading Marketing and Business development company on PCPC business development activities.
Lisa is interested in fashion and beauty. She also loves to change her hair color every few months.