By Linda Barney, Barney and Associates
TechStart is an Oregon-based all-volunteer organization with the goal of expanding access to computer science education for K-12 students. TechStart provides annual Teacher of the Year and Student of the Year cash awards and team members volunteer with a variety of other K-12 computer science and technology organizations.
We would like to introduce Hunter Iddings who acts as the TechStart webmaster, creates TechStart LinkedIn posting, manages TechStart technical tasks, and serves on the TechStart Board of Directors. Hunter is a vital member of the TechStart team who has been volunteering for TechStart for over two years while attending Portland State University (PSU) as a full-time student with a computer science major and business minor. Iddings is graduating from PSU in June 2026 and will continue his work with TechStart as he expands his career.
Iddings indicates that “Working with TechStart has been very rewarding. Managing the TechStart website and LinkedIn has been a great way for me to help highlight some of the amazing work happening in K-12 education in Oregon. Being involved with TechStart has also given me the chance to learn from leaders in the tech and education community while contributing to programs that create opportunities for students.”
John Tortorici, TechStart Board Chair, states, “Thank you for all your invaluable work on TechStart’s technology including the website and much more. Your efforts shape our online presence, but your curiosity and determination shape your future and will open many doors. We can’t thank you enough for all you do, I look forward to working with you on our TechStart adventure.”
TechStart has partnered with ProFocus, a national technology recruiting and consulting company to create the Classroom to Career program. In simple terms, TechStart will facilitate the connections between technology industry professionals and Oregon’s schools. The goal is to expose the kids to technology people who will talk with them about the path from their seat in class to a career in technology. “Hunter has stepped up to be TechStart’s primary contact and will run the program. We are very proud to have Hunter on our team, he has made a big difference in a short time,” according to Tortorici.
Helping Implement Biodegradable Products for Lake Oswego School District
In addition to taking classes at PSU and acting as the TechStart webmaster, Iddings also works a full-time job at BioShell, an Oregon-based biodegradable products company. BioShell provides premium quality compostable service ware items that are compostable solutions, crafted from renewable materials for reduced environmental impact to support sustainability goals. At BioShell, Iddings started in Information Technology and gradually expanded into operations and business-to-business sales.
As part of the BioShell team, Iddings worked as a consultant with the Lake Oswego School District to identify alternatives to single-use plastic products used in Lake Oswego elementary schools. He suggested switching from plastic to wood utensils as a cost-effective solution that met both operational and environmental needs. He helped source and implement a cost-effective solution to reduce plastic waste while teaching students about sustainable alternatives to reduce environmental impact. For more information on the BioShell work, see this PSU article.