Education
BS Computer and Information Sciences
University of Florida, 1997
Certificate in Nonprofit Management
University of Texas at Austin, 2022
About.
James Burk is CTO of North Bend Digital, leading solutions architecture and engineering for Snoqualmie Valley clients. With 24 years at Microsoft and over 100 custom applications built, he brings full-stack IT expertise and deep skills in Microsoft 365, Azure, and cloud infrastructure.
My career sits at the intersection of enterprise software development, technical project management, and frontier technology. For over two decades, I've built systems that scale, teams that deliver, and organizations that make an impact — and today I help other companies do the same as a Fractional CTO.
North Bend Digital
As CTO of North Bend Digital, I lead solutions architecture and engineering for clients across the Snoqualmie Valley. North Bend Digital is a Microsoft Solutions Partner serving small businesses with Microsoft 365 setup and administration, Azure and cloud infrastructure, cybersecurity, AI automation, custom application development, and local digital marketing — built on the promise that "your IT department lives next door."
Drawing on 24 years at Microsoft and over 100 custom applications built, I also offer Fractional CTO services to companies that need senior technical leadership without a full-time hire. Engagements typically include technology strategy, solutions architecture, engineering team leadership, cloud modernization, and Microsoft 365 and Azure advisory. If your organization is navigating a technical decision, platform migration, or scaling challenge, get in touch.
Microsoft
Twenty-four years at Microsoft across project management, development, business analysis, and consulting. I joined the Office Shared Feature Team, evolved through increasingly complex roles, and earned multiple performance awards. In my final role as Technical Project Manager within the Global Demand Center, I managed lead flow systems for multiple products and prepared executive presentations and communications.
Artic Consulting
After Microsoft, I joined Artic Consulting as a founding employee and built two consulting practices from scratch: Business Management Services and a Nonprofit practice. Bridging technical execution with business strategy.
Space & Mars
As Executive Director of The Mars Society, I lead the world's largest space advocacy organization dedicated to Mars exploration. I produced virtual conventions reaching 15,000+ attendees and 100,000+ live viewers, commanded MDRS Crew 261 — a two-week analog Mars mission featured on CBS — and co-founded the Mars Technology Institute ($135k community-funded) and Space Northwest.