Before founding Advanced Computer Technologies (ACT) in 1999, Frank Riina envisioned a very different future – a career in law enforcement. Born and raised in North Jersey, like many young boys, he dreamed of stopping the bad guys and set his sights on becoming an FBI agent.
In college, Frank discovered the FBI was recruiting accounting majors, leading him to his first internship at a financial organization. At the time, the IT profession was still in its infancy, but the firm’s tech-savvy owner saw Frank’s potential and the growing importance of IT, teaching him to manage the corporate network and build custom computers to improve efficiency.
During this time, his mentor highlighted a critical issue: many of the firms’ clients were losing money due to poor IT and outdated processes. Frank made it his mission to bridge the gap between business and technology, leading to the founding of ACT.
In the following decades, ACT supported businesses through tech changes, natural disasters, and global crises. During Hurricane Sandy, when clients feared losing their businesses, ACT braved the storm to ensure that didn’t happen, setting up remote access and wireless hot spots, so operations could continue. When COVID-19 hit, while many IT firms scrambled, ACT’s clients smoothly transitioned, thanks to the remote infrastructure built during Sandy.
Despite these accomplishments, ACT is most proud of our work with non-verbal individuals. Through technology, ACT enables them to communicate via iPads with specialized apps, changing their lives and helping them connect in ways they couldn’t before.
While he never joined the FBI, Frank still takes down bad guys, only now, they’re cybercriminals. Today, Frank lives in Bridgewater with his wife, four kids, and their dog, Bailey. When he’s not leading ACT, you’ll find him coaching on the soccer field, basketball court, or baseball diamond.
In college, Frank discovered the FBI was recruiting accounting majors, leading him to his first internship at a financial organization. At the time, the IT profession was still in its infancy, but the firm’s tech-savvy owner saw Frank’s potential and the growing importance of IT, teaching him to manage the corporate network and build custom computers to improve efficiency.
During this time, his mentor highlighted a critical issue: many of the firms’ clients were losing money due to poor IT and outdated processes. Frank made it his mission to bridge the gap between business and technology, leading to the founding of ACT.
In the following decades, ACT supported businesses through tech changes, natural disasters, and global crises. During Hurricane Sandy, when clients feared losing their businesses, ACT braved the storm to ensure that didn’t happen, setting up remote access and wireless hot spots, so operations could continue. When COVID-19 hit, while many IT firms scrambled, ACT’s clients smoothly transitioned, thanks to the remote infrastructure built during Sandy.
Despite these accomplishments, ACT is most proud of our work with non-verbal individuals. Through technology, ACT enables them to communicate via iPads with specialized apps, changing their lives and helping them connect in ways they couldn’t before.
While he never joined the FBI, Frank still takes down bad guys, only now, they’re cybercriminals. Today, Frank lives in Bridgewater with his wife, four kids, and their dog, Bailey. When he’s not leading ACT, you’ll find him coaching on the soccer field, basketball court, or baseball diamond.