Arnaud Michel de Klerk (born January 26, 1974) is a Dutch technology professional, product manager, and hobbyist programmer known for his long career in the electronics and computing industries, as well as his contributions to the retro computing community, particularly the MSX platform. Since June 2020, he has worked as a Product Manager and Account Manager at Alcom Electronics in Capelle aan den IJssel, Netherlands, specializing in embedded computing and networked solutions. De Klerk is also recognized for his personal blog and retrocomputing projects, which reflect his diverse interests in technology, music, and fine dining.
Arnaud de Klerk was born on January 26, 1974, in Waalwijk, Netherlands, a town in the province of North Brabant. He pursued his early education in the Dutch system, completing Lower General Secondary Education (MAVO) from 1986 to 1990, earning a diploma. He then attended Higher General Secondary Education (HAVO) from 1990 to 1994, also graduating with a diploma. Between 1994 and 1996, he enrolled in Technical College (HTS) to study engineering but left the program without completing a degree, opting to enter the workforce.
De Klerk is fluent in English and a native Dutch speaker, skills that have supported his career in international sales and technical management.
De Klerk’s professional journey began in 1993 at Shape Computers in Breda, where he worked as a shop assistant until 1996. His responsibilities included selling computer hardware and software, as well as technical tasks such as assembling PCs and repairing electronic typewriters and computers. This role marked his entry into the technology sector.
In 1996, he joined Bax Beeld & Geluid in Baarle-Nassau as a shop assistant, selling audio and video equipment. He played a key role in establishing a PC sales department, which became a successful venture for the company, showcasing his early aptitude for sales and innovation.
From 1997 to 1999, de Klerk served as a sales executive at Procase Computer B.V. in Breda. He focused on mid-range PC enclosures and high-end 19-inch server chassis, gaining experience in international trade, logistics, invoicing, and customs. During this period, he also maintained the company’s basic HTML website, an early foray into digital content management.
Between 1999 and 2005, de Klerk held multiple roles across Palo Alto Products International B.V., Flextronics Enclosures, and PA Design & Manufacturing (PADM). From 1999 to 2002, as an account manager at Palo Alto/Flextronics in Rotterdam, he managed high-profile accounts such as Fujitsu-Siemens, HP, and Gateway, acting as a liaison between clients, the factory, and the design department. After a year, he took on leadership of a four-person sales team, overseeing all after-sales activities for high-end PC enclosures.
In 2002, de Klerk co-founded PA Design & Manufacturing in Capelle aan den IJssel through a management buy-out of the Palo Alto Netherlands office. As a part-owner and account manager, he shifted focus to European ODMs and system integrators, employing marketing, networking, and trade fairs to acquire new clients. He remained with PADM until 2005.
In April 2005, de Klerk briefly served as Sales Manager at OCS Overseas Courier Service in Eindhoven, revitalizing the office’s commercial operations until October 2005. He then joined Microtron BV in Oosterhout as a Sales Engineer from October 2005 to October 2009, advising clients on electronic components and industrial PCs, while handling prospecting, purchasing, and supplier relations.
From November 2009 to October 2011, he worked as a Key Account Manager at Elipse nv in Weinegem, Belgium, developing the Dutch market for mid- and high-end industrial power supplies. He returned to Microtron BV in November 2011, serving as a Sales Engineer and Product Manager until April 2020. In this role, he expanded his responsibilities to include customer visits, technical support, and product management for power supplies and industrial PCs, creating configurations tailored to client needs.
Since June 2020, de Klerk has been a Product Manager and Account Manager at Alcom Electronics in Capelle aan den IJssel. He oversees embedded computing and boxed networking products, managing budgeting, stocking, marketing, and trade fair participation, while serving as the primary contact for key accounts.
De Klerk is an active member of the retro computing community, particularly known for his work with the MSX, a standardized home computer architecture popular in the 1980s and 1990s. His websites, arnauddeklerk.com and file-hunter.com, feature dedicated sections on MSX projects, including games and demos he has developed. Notably, his project FONY is highlighted as a significant contribution to the MSX ecosystem. His work is also documented on the MSX.org wiki under the pseudonym "The File Hunter." Additionally, he is credited on MobyGames for his involvement in MSX-related software.
His recent MSX work includes games and demos with notable Easter eggs and thematic elements, reflecting his creative approach to programming.
De Klerk resides in Bavel, Netherlands, with his wife, Stephanie de Klerk. He holds a Dutch driver’s license (Category B) and maintains an active online presence through his personal website and blog, where he shares updates on his professional life, hobbies, and personal interests.
De Klerk is an avid music enthusiast with a preference for symphonic rock, pop, and singer-songwriter genres, though he dislikes the Dutch "100%NL" style. Since around 2023, he has rediscovered vinyl records, frequently listening to music on a turntable. His blog (arnauddeklerk.com/blog/) reflects this passion, alongside posts about technology and retro computing.
He also enjoys fine dining, documenting his experiences on his website’s dining section (arnauddeklerk.com/dining/), often accompanied by photographs. His reviews highlight culinary preferences and experiences shared with his wife.
De Klerk is a supporter of microfinance, lending through Kiva.org under the handle "arnaud4525."
De Klerk maintains a robust digital footprint:
His wife, Stephanie, maintains her own website at stephaniedeklerk.nl.