Summary

12 years of technical information development including: writing, editing, desktop publishing, graphics creation and editing, and project management in team and solo environments. Additional skills: software testing/validation, interviewing techniques, public speaking, training, strategic planning, and marketing communication.

Work experience

Additional experience

PFITech Los Angeles CA 01/08 – 10/08

Technical Writer

• Lead technical writer in support of Dell/Boeing account documentation.

  Gorilla Nation Media Los Angeles CA 08/07 – 01/08

Technical Communication Manager

• Responsible for the care and feeding of a team of talented technical writers.

• Provided support for IT division documentation.

• Created Business Continuity Planning documents.

  Physical Optics Corporation Torrance CA 03/07 – 08/07

Lead Technical Writer

• Updated technical documentation in support of SBIR proposals.

• Provided document control and configuration management support for IT division.

• Created and updated technical documentation to support military and commercial component projects.

• System administrator for Telelogic DOORS, Synergy, and Change.

  Marine Corps Program Department Fallbrook CA 12/06 – 01/07

  Technical Editor

• Edited technical documentation to support military weapons systems assurance program. Created templates for test reports.

  Citizens Property Insurance Tallahassee FL 08/06 – 11/06

Technical Writer

• Created and edited technical documentation to support IT disaster recovery and security, to ITIL standards. AuthorIT system administrator.

  ACS, Inc Tallahassee FL 08/05 – 07/06

Senior Marketing and Communications Specialist

• Created and edited marketing collateral to support a commercial business unit, including: postcards, brochures, newsletters, flyers, presentations, RFP response, website evaluation, and graphics.

  Thomson Grass Valley Jacksonville FL 01/05 – 07/05

Lead Technical Writer

• Created new documentation to support newsroom automation hardware and software.

  State of Florida Tallahassee FL 01/04 – 07/05

Technical Writer

• Created Policies and Procedures document in support of People First launch for Department of Children and Families.

• Created new documentation to support roll-out of new State Drivers License (hardware and software) for Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles.

  Blue Martini Software Boca Raton FL 08/03 – 12/03

Senior Technical Writer

Interactive Selling division lead technical writer/editor

• Created new documentation (hard copy, soft copy, online help) for new products, including reference manuals, user guides, developer guides, installation manual, and release.

• Overhauled existing software documentation.

• Produced documentation for print and online distribution.

• Conducted validation testing.

Computer Task Group Indianapolis IN 03/02-08/03

Test Analyst/Technical Writer

• Wrote, edited, tested validation documents (design, requirements, test scripts, SOP's) for pharmaceutical manufacturer.

• Conducted validation testing.

DC Wilson Engineering Indianapolis IN 01/02-/3-02

Technical Writer

• Wrote, edited production training manuals for pharmaceutical manufacturer.

Acterna (formerly Wavetek Wandel Goltermann) Indianapolis IN 02/00-12/01

Staff Technical Writer

Wireless division lead technical writer/editor

• Designed documentation for new products, including user guides, help files, quick start guides, reference manuals, operation manuals, applications notes, data sheets, brochures and training manuals for both technical and non-technical audiences.

• Overhauled existing hardware/software documentation by interviewing Subject Matter Experts and teams, creating graphics, generating and editing digital photos, adding custom-made flow charts and diagrams and indexing.

• Produced documentation for print and online distribution.

• Responsible for on-going software research, evaluation, validation and testing.

• Site lead responsible for template creation, verification and training.

Hill-Rom Batesville IN 10/99-02/00

Technical Writer

• Created, updated, and edited medical equipment service manuals and installation instructions.

GST Telecom Vancouver WA 08/98-10/99

Senior Technical Writer

• Provided software verification and documentation for telecommunications-specific software systems.

• Created, updated and edited print and online documentation.

• Documented process and procedures flows using Visio.

• Responsible for on-going software research, evaluation, template creation and document control.

• “Great Place to Work” committee member, instrumental in formulating company volunteer policy.

• Created articles for company online newsletter.

Flight Dynamics Portland OR 02/96-07/98

Senior Technical Writer – Project Lead

• Coordinated and directed technical writers in creating maintenance manuals under strict customer deadlines.

• Responsible for reviewing and adjusting project goals and budget.

• Ensured that documentation met ATA-100 and ISO guidelines.

Technical Writer/Editor

• Created, updated and edited manufacturing procedures, engineering specifications, service, installation and repair documents using Word, Ventura Publisher, CorelDraw, Visio, and PhotoPaint.

• Designed, wrote, edited, and published company newsletter.

Excellence in Action Vancouver WA 1994-1995

Marketing Director

• Responsible for telemarketing efforts in Portland, Sacramento and Atlanta.

American Heart Association Tacoma WA 1992-1994

Field Director

• Ongoing interviewing and screening of candidates for placement on three boards of directors.

• Trained, monitored, and coached volunteers to achieve Association goals.

• Created sponsorship materials, planned and managed special events, produced press releases and PSA text, updated media lists, and interfaced with other non-profit organizations.

Kids On The Move Orem UT 1990-1991

Public Relations Director

• Managed students in the research, analysis, implementation and evaluation of capitol campaign.

• Produced press releases to AP style, wrote and directed PSA’s, cultivated media contacts, and gave presentations to local civic organizations.

• Board of Directors, member.

The Daily Universe Provo UT 1990-1991

Reporter/Copy Editor

• Research, investigation, writing, copy layout and headline writing.

• Ghost-wrote the Orem city manager’s monthly message for City newsletter.

KTVX-ABC affiliate SLC UT 1986

Public Relations Intern

• Community relations and PSA inventory maintenance.

Signetics Corporation Orem UT 1984-1987

Maintenance/Laboratory Technician

• Operated and maintained a variety of analytical equipment in support of a semiconductor manufacturer, including a Scanning Electron Microscope.

Military

Education

United States Air Force Lakenheath England 1978-1981

Integrated Avionics Component Specialist

• Tested, evaluated and repaired avionics system line replaceable units.

• Secret security clearance, “Good Conduct” medal, Honorable discharge.

Brigham Young University Provo UT

B.A., Communications

• Public Relations emphasis

• “A More Excellent Way” scholarship recipient for two years.

• “Outstanding Communications” award, 1990, 1991

Professional memberships

Society for Technical Communication, senior member
LASTC chapter president, 2008 - 2009

Languages

German (read, write, speak)

Software

FrameMaker CorelDraw
Microsoft Office HyperSnap
Ventura Publisher RoboHelp
Adobe Acrobat FrontPage
Visio PhotoShop
VisualSourceSafe Quadralay WebWorks Publisher
PageMaker PowerPoint
AuthorIT SnagIt
TaskMap DOORS