There's a new but familiar face behind the counter at Washington's Radio Shack store, and he wants to make modern technology a little less complicated for his customers.

Philip Burke, son of news editor Kip Burke and McDonalds long-time manager Margie Margie Burke, has joined the Wilkes Publishing/ The News-Reporter/Radio Shack business. "He brings a smiling, helpful attitude and strong customer service skills learned as a manager for the McDonalds organization of David and Janie Cravens," said Sparky Newsome. "He's a computer whiz, knows home electronics and how things connect together, and he'll be a tremendous asset to us here."

Philip, a 2002 graduate of Washington Wilkes Comprehensive High School, was famous in school for helping school administrators with the school's computer network, and, with his friends, took over the daily announcements with a student-run video show.

Now he's back with a desire to help people with the complexities of modern technology, which now show up in more and more places. "You're finding electronics and computers in everything from car keys to answering machines," he said, "and folks are having more and more trouble getting what they have to work right. I want to help take the mystery out of the everyday electronics we have to work with."

"The great thing about Philip is that he never makes a customer feel like they've asked a stupid question," Newsome said. "He just helps them with whatever they need."

Radio Shack is not closing, Newsome said, despite the fact that the business is for sale.

Whether or not the Radio Shack changes hands or not, Philip says that his desire is to have his own business helping people deal with their computer and home electronic problems. "It's really hard to make today's home electronics all work together and work right. I know there's a tremendous need for somebody like me to help people out with all that stuff, and I'm here to serve."