Robert Stephens

A native of Chicago, Robert left a scholarship at the Art Institute of Chicago in 1990 to pursue a degree in computer science at the University of Minnesota. While attending the University, he landed a job fixing computers for the Human Factors Research Laboratory. Over a three year period, he rose to become head engineer of the lab while earning scholarships from the U.S. Navy and the FAA building flight and driving simulators. It was also during this time he started a computer consulting business. In April 1994, after three years at the University, he formed The Geek Squad with $200. In 2002, The Geek Squad acquired by Best Buy and opened Geek Squad precincts in all Best Buy US and Canadian stores. With over 6000 Agents , The Geek Squad is now North America's largest technology support company offering phone, in-store, and in-home support. Stephens is the author of The Geek Squad Guide to Solving Any Computer Glitch, released in 1999 by Fireside. In plain English and with a humorous flair, The Geek Squad Guide demystifies the most widely used hardware and software, offers quick fixes to common glitches, and provides smart maintenance advice to keep things running smoothly. To date, The Geek Squad has serviced over 150,000 computer problems for clients such as 3M, Cargill, General Mills, The Rolling Stones, U2, and The Oscar Mayer Weinermobile. The Geek Squad story has been featured in numerous national media including CNN, Newsweek, Fast Company, The Wall Street Journal, People, Rolling Stone, and InStyle Magazine.