About
Partners, not vendors.
Where innovation meets impact.
Say itARE · BOAR · UH
Why the name?
Arbora comes from arbor, Latin for tree. We chose it for what we want to be: rooted here, a safe place to lean on, and something that gives back to everything around it. Like the Tree of Life, we want to support and sustain those around us, through climate action, animal conservation and rescue, and the nonprofits and events that hold our communities together. A direct, positive impact. That’s the whole idea.
About Arbora
Arbora Managed IT is a managed IT and cybersecurity company in Grand Rapids, serving businesses across West Michigan. Support, security, networks, cloud, phones and strategy, handled by one local team that knows your business, your people and your systems.
Arbora was founded in 2023 by two technology leaders from Hopkins Public Schools. Today it’s owned and led by Derrick Price.
From day one, we’ve given at least 1% of all revenue back to local causes and tree planting. It isn’t a marketing line. It’s why we exist.
Your goals first
Recommendations built around your business, not our margins.
Straight answers
Plain language, no jargon, no surprises.
The last 5%
Anyone can do the first 95%. We care about the details that take good work to great.
1% given back
At least 1% of all revenue, to local causes and tree planting.
Leadership
Derrick PriceFounder & owner
Former Director of Technology for Hartford and Bangor schools and IT manager at Hopkins Public Schools. More than a decade leading technology teams, networks and multimillion-dollar projects in West Michigan.
Read Derrick’s story
People you may see
Trusted specialists who work with us regularly. Every one of them works to our standards, and we manage the job start to finish.
Matt
Professional services
Nick
Professional services
Marcus
Infrastructure & cyber
Stone
Sales & client success
Junior
Installation · Superior Wiring & Technology
Ian
Installation
Phil
Installation
Founder background
I grew up in a small West Michigan town, a lot of it at Harvest Thyme, my mom’s restaurant in Dorr. She opened at 4 a.m., and I slept on a makeshift bed on the stock shelves until it was time for school. She’s the most generous person I know. Watching her take care of a whole community, one plate at a time, taught me what service really means: show up early, look after people, and give more than you take.
I’ve been in tech since I built my first PC. I interned in the Hopkins Public Schools tech department in high school, joined full time in 2014 and worked my way up from entry-level technician to IT manager. I ran daily operations, the network, the servers and everything in between for 200+ staff, 1,600+ students, thousands of devices and five buildings, with a team of seven and more than 20 student helpers a year. In 2022 I became Director of Technology for Hartford and Bangor schools through Van Buren ISD, leading a technical staff of eight across thousands of devices, 300+ staff, 10 buildings and projects over $750,000.
I loved the impact of working in education, but it was indirect. Arbora is direct. That’s why we give at least 1% of all revenue back, no matter what. For me, Arbora is a ministry: a way to be a steward of God’s grace and give back what I’ve been given.
I want to be the person people can count on when life goes sideways, for our clients and for our community. Honest, clear communication matters to me because I know what it’s like without it. So does doing the job right, down to the last detail.
Today my mom and brother run Acclaimed Catering in Hopkins. They’ve been my biggest supporters and pushed me to make the jump to full time. I wouldn’t be here without them, my community, or God.
Derrick PriceFounder & owner
Community & memberships
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