You might check around larger cities within driving distance.
There are many linux user groups that might be able to help you
and more ways than you can imagine.
Barring LUG's, a USENIX, IEEE, or ACM (Computing machinery chapter) usually has some interesting fellows and typically can be found at any college/university with an engineering department.
--Abashed the devil stood, and felt how awful goodness is...
--Milton "Paradise Lost" Book 4.