A stickler for precision language in grammar, spelling, accurate puctuation. Deep familiarity with Chicago and AP styles. Editing that expunges passive voice and calms convoluted sentences. Writer, editor and analyst, crystallizes ideas in clear, compelling language. Makes complex technology understandable, works with editors and reporters as a true peer as an award-winning reporter.

Broad 20-year commnications experience in journalism and media as advertising agency president and creative director, software marketing director, radio/TV and web producer. Directs staff and freelance talent, online content, print copy, broadcast and Web content; as at home on the PC as in a post-production studio.

key skills

• Applying Chicago and AP professional styles
• Restoring accurate grammar, spelling, punctuation and standard usage.
• Focusing on an editorial message at a targeted audience.
• Guiding writers to producer clearer, more compelling stories.
• Capturing essence with lean, grab-'em-by-the-eyes headlines that aim real news at readers' hearts, minds and ticklish places.
• Focusing strategic information from multiple sources into a compelling story.
• Editing clumsy verbiage into lively, benefit-rich copy people can actually read.
• Translating awkward, jargon-laden passive-voiced techspeak to real English.
• Commuincating in Web content, advertising, news releases, data sheets, collateral, white papers, catalogs, newsletters, direct marketing, packaging.
• Managing creative teams and freelance contributors, supervising art directors, selecting and directing talent, field producers and studio engineers.
• Computing near-nerd in Word, MS Office, Dreamweaver; Photoshop, Fireworks, HTML creation and design.

awards

• Pulitzer Prize nomination for "Gay Tucson."
• First place, series writing, Arizona Press Club, "The Shrinking Desert."
• Pulitzer Prize nomination for "The Shrinking Desert."
• First place, short stories, American Pen Women Soul-Making contest, "Malaise."
• Tucson Tops for radio advertising, Artisoft LANtastic network software.
• Tucson Tops awards for print, radio and TV issue advertising, "Safe Transportation."

organizations
National Writers Union, Bay Area co-chair and national delegate
American Marketing Association
Bay Area Editors' Forum

Career highlights (chronological order)

• education
  B.A. Journalism, University of Arizona, Tucson.
  Secondary education graduate study, San Francisco State University, 2003
• General Assignment Reporter, Arizona Daily Star, Tucson
  Covered full breadth of daily reporting on politics, police, courts, vital statistics and human interest, civil rights, urban planning, technology horizons.
• President and Creative Director, Gold Images, Tucson
  Advertising agency founder and principal, creative director coordinating freelance artists and technicians; writer, producer, director. Clients in retail, homebuilding, automotive, politics, technology, video, professional practices.
• Marketing Director, Metro Software, Tucson
  Developed marketing/advertising themes, collateral and news releases, supervised execution. Editorial interest increased sales 160% in six months.
• Senior Copywriter, Artisoft, Inc. Tucson
  Lead writer for #1 Hot Growth Company. Wrote benefit-oriented trade advertising, newsletters, radio ads, data sheets and packaging for LANtastic networks.
• Marketing & Technical Writing Consultant, Gold Images, 1994-present
  • Media coordinator for nonprofit Print Debate project launched during 2004 election
  • Web content and production for Applied Materials intranet, Sprint, business school, public relations agency, author, National Writers Union.
  • Created user-friendly documentation for Tucson School District in-house software.
  • Documented Regee voter registration and election software for Pima County, Arizona.
  • U.S. Small Business Administration subcontractor, generated marketing tools for minority-owned businesses throughout Arizona.

• Senior Editor, OneChannel.net, Mountain View, CA, 1999-2000
  Marketing commentator writing analysis, profiles and commentary and trend analysis on emerging issues of online retail marketing: search engine optimization, wireless, broadband, and emerging companies.

Updated 5/9/2007

Journalist portfolio