Summary of Qualifications
Master's degree in journalism and mass communication with 25 years of experience in magazine, newspaper, web, book, and technical writing, editing, layout, photo editing, and proofreading. Twenty years of industry experience with graphic design, web design and development of public web sites, message boards, and a corporate intranet.
Professional Experience (Full-Time Employment)
Publisher/Editor
WhatcomTalk
www.whatcomtalk.com
January 2014 - present
- As the face of WhatcomTalk.com, I manage all internal and external communications
- Brainstorm, produce and write positive stories about the people, businesses, and organizations doing good things around Whatcom County
- Manage all aspects of social media marketing in support of WhatcomTalk: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Google+, etc.
- Connect and build relationships with community members and local business owners to create content
Content Developer/Writer
Toolhouse Design Company
www.toolhouse.com
July 2002 - September 2004
- Collaborated with the Creative Director to set the tone for each project
- Developed scripts from client messaging briefs for interactive presentations
- Acquired screen captures to coordinate with scripts
- Scheduled recording of scripts with narrative talent and recording studio
- Provided implementation direction to internal designers and programmers
- Supplied concept and copywriting skills for non-interactive projects
Webmaster/Editor
Creative Networks, Inc. (telecommuting position)
www.cnilive.com
September 1997 - March 2001
- Solely responsible for all aspects of the Creative Networks, Inc. web site
- Created all graphics, including animated GIFs, for web site
- Designed all layouts and implemented new technologies for company web site
- Directed complete web redesign
- Maintained and created company intranet
- Produced and maintained publications database
- Edited all writings by Creative Networks authors
- Published all documents to company web site
- Managed contractors
- Established business plan for web site redesign
- Produced company stylebook
Copy Editor/Acting Features Editor
Skagit Valley Herald
September 1996 - October 1997
- Edited copy and wrote headlines for News, Features, Opinion and Business pages for daily newspaper, circulation 20,000
- Shared responsibility for paginating all pages using QuarkXPress
- Worked closely with other editors to plan copy flow, story play and photo play
- Acted as full-time Features Editor from August 1997–October 1997
Graduate Teaching Assistant
Drake University School of Journalism and Mass Communication
January 1996 - August 1996
- Managed the School of Journalism and Mass Communication computer graphics lab, including software and hardware installations, troubleshooting, and support services
- Acted as teaching assistant for desktop publishing course
- Worked closely with faculty to anticipate and solve computer and technology issues
- Assisted in the creation of visual communication courses
- Conducted research for visual communications professors
Editorial Assistant
Better Homes & Gardens Special Interest Publications
August 1993 - January 1996
- Wrote feature articles for Better Homes & Gardens Special Interest Publications
- Followed through each step of publication from interview to layout approval
- Created, designed and edited departmental newsletter distributed to regional editors nationwide
- Performed administrative functions for department head, editors, senior writers and associate editors
- Answered reader inquiries by conducting research regarding 10 home- and building-related publications
- Prepared photography for scribing and scanning
Editorial/Administrative Assistant
University of Iowa Department of Biological Sciences
June 1991 - April 1993
- Edited, formatted and submitted manuscripts for publication in national and international science journals
- Assisted in compilation, writing and submission of grant proposals and renewals to the National Institute of Health and related agencies
- Organized weekly seminars conducted by visiting scientists
Professional Experience (Freelance Work)
August 2000 - present
Details for all clients and assignments available here.
An overview (with screen captures) of all web sites I've created available here.
Writing Clients
- All Music Guide
- Bellingham Herald (restaurant review columnist and feature writer)
- Better Homes & Gardens Decorating
- Better Homes & Gardens Building Ideas
- Better Homes & Gardens Holiday Crafts
- Better Homes & Gardens Home Ideas
- Birmingham Black & White
- Boog City
- Essential Design
- Gale Group/St. James Press
- Hartley Jewelers
- Log Home Living
- McGraw-Hill Companies
- Northwest Life & Times
- Pickford Cinema
- The Pieces
- Seattle Writergrrls
- ThurstonTalk
- Toolhouse Design Company
- USA Today
- Western Washington University
- Whatcom Magazine
- Zervas Group Architects
Copy Editing Clients
- Random House
- Time Warner Books/iPublish
- Farrar, Straus and Giroux
- e-Reads
- International Engineering Consortium
Developmental Editing Clients
Web & Photography Clients
Education
Master of Arts in Journalism and Mass Communication
August 1996
Drake University, Des Moines, Iowa
Bachelor of Arts in English
May 1993
University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa
Skills
Knowledgeable in AP Style and the Chicago Manual of Style.
Proficient with Macintosh and PC systems.
Skilled in QuarkXPress, Adobe InDesign, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Acrobat, Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access, Publisher), and HTML.
Design experience with web sites, blogs, newspapers, magazines, and logos.
Writing Samples
-
The Top 10 WhatcomTalk Stories in 2019, Plus Our Writers’ Favorite Features
-
Deep-Clean Your House During COVID-19—and Organize a Bit, While You’re at It
-
Bellingham’s Historic Eldridge Home Gets A Major Facelift From A-1 Builders and Adaptations Design Studio
-
New Owners of Village Books Capably Fill Big Shoes of Founders
-
Peek Inside the Lynden Home of Village Books Founders Chuck & Dee Robinson
-
Silver Beach Elementary Teacher Nick Perigo Wears Many Hats — Including a Baseball Coach’s Cap
-
How The Woods Coffee Came to Caffeinate Whatcom County
-
Neighborhood Police Officer Eric Osterkamp Makes A Difference In Our Community
-
Bellingham’s Roller Betties Bring All-Female, Do-It-Yourself, Flat-Track Derby to Town
-
Christen Mattix Completes 3 Year Project to Knit a Stream Down South Hill to Bellingham Bay
-
Over Easy Takes Off, Serving Delicious Diner Fare in Bellingham’s Sunnyland Neighborhood
-
Mount Bakery’s Annual Tour de France Celebration: Early Morning Bike Race Viewing Over Breakfast
-
30 Free Things To Do With Kids This Summer in Bellingham and Whatcom County
-
Pickford Film Center Shines Spotlight On Performing Arts, Education Outreach, Local Filmmakers, Special Events
-
Whatcom County’s Great Outdoors Offers Recreation Options For Everyone
-
Give the Gift of Experiences This Holiday Season
-
Chris Ballew and Caspar Babypants: From Indie Rock to Kindie Rock
-
Bellingham Native Craig Johnson Directs “The Skeleton Twins,” Attends Benefit Premiere For Whatcom Center for Early Learning
-
Local Filmmaker and Jameson First Shot Winner Jessica Valentine Premieres Her Film Starring Uma Thurman
-
Local Families Host Bellingham Bells Players
-
Delicious Desserts Abound in Bellingham
-
Shuksan Middle School’s Katie Brown: Washington State Teacher of the Year Throws Out First Pitch for Mariners, Meets President Obama
-
Local Artist Knits A Stream Down South Hill To Bellingham Bay
-
Ski to Sea Team Formed Years Ago Looks Forward To Annual Bellingham Return For Race, Tradition, Family & Fun
-
Bellingham High’s Austin Shenton Weathers Injury, Looks to Summer Baseball and a Future Career
-
Sunnyland Teacher Brian Pahl Brings Technology to the Classroom Forefront
-
Bellingham-via-Birmingham – Photographer Ryan Russell Shines Spotlight on Whatcom County
-
Matt Zigulis – Silver Beach Elementary Teacher Juggles Soccer
-
Western’s Basketball Coach Tony Dominguez On the Court for the Little Kids
-
Nikki McClure: Local Artist Looks Back On Her Career — And Ahead To What's Next
-
The Latest Sneak Peek Inside The New Hands On Children’s Museum
-
New Hands On Children’s Museum Built With Help From Local Tradespeople
- Saint Martin's University Extended Learning Division Brings Exceptional Education Opportunities To Non-Traditional Students
-
Seattle’s Recess Monkey: Not The Kids’ Music You Grew Up Listening To
-
Batdorf & Bronson: The Organic Growth Of A Premium Coffee Roasting Company
Home | Clients & Projects | Writings | Contact
|