Current Resume

Author/Editor/Content Developer/Web-Print Communications Consultant/Publications Manager

Accomplished and published writer, author, content developer, and functional consultant, with a successful track record of achieving exemplary results for web and hard copy projects through strategic and tactical planning, project management, and application of industry best practices.  Worked with and for such recognized entities as Siebel, Cadence Design Systems, eToys.com, UltimoSoft, Razorfish, FatBrain, Mightywords, GoTo.com, Office of the Governor of California, National Alliance for Mental Illness, AARP, and the State of Washington.

• Advanced web presence and site functionality for major technology companies.

• Created new think-tank website for California Governor.

• Developed new content and feature topics for digital publishing website.

• Led editing and content development for search engine.

Skilled writer with proven ability to educate others on writing and web content principles. Adept at providing team leadership, managing writing & editing processes, and customer satisfaction.

Highlighted Accomplishments:

Advanced web presence and site functionality for major technology companies – While employed with Razorfish, I took a senior leadership role on major corporate projects, involving the assessment, analysis, strategic and tactical planning, and content development of technology companies (Siebel, Cadence, Avaya).  In each case, I took a lead role in advising the customers across a broad spectrum of navigational and content improvements, provided proven best-practice methodologies and usability techniques, developed and edited content. These projects were engaged within a defined and structured scope and timetable, and each resulted in customer satisfaction, and additional or expanded contracts.

Created new website for The Office of the Governor – As a private contractor, created fresh web presence for Governor’s Office of Planning and Research. Revised droll legacy site to meet best-of-breed private sector qualities. Site had poor visitation and was wrought with navigation ills. New site is robust, has an attractive and satisfying user experience. New site generates greater traffic and confer prestige to accomplishments of the Office and its dedicated energy, urban planning, AmeriCorps, and policy verticals. I conducted stakeholder planning meetings, designed new templates, look and feel, and architecture in addition to revising content, hierarchy and workflow (content management).

Developed new content and feature topics for online publications website – While employed with MightyWords.com (now part of Barnes & Noble), I developed and maintained four successful verticals within an online digital bookstore. I successfully managed and directed freelance writers, coordinated content from noted professional writers, and created content blurbs and author interviews in multiple topic sectors. I secured an exclusive interview and publishing contract from an Emmy-winning HBO producer, and also published content from the Dalai Lama and from other internationally renowned spiritual authorities.

Led editing and content development for search engine – I was one of the first editors to manage content for GoTo.com (now Overture.com), a successful pay-for-placement search engine. I directed the implementation of best-of-breed editorial practices and, as the editorial team grew from 8 to 30, I became one of the company’s first senior lead editors, directing the efforts of five staff members. I also wrote content for marketing, as well as for the live site, and was selected to lead a special team for site QA, scrubbing, and content management.

Career History:

Independent Contractor

Engaged in consulting contracts to develop websites and publications for medium and small businesses, non-profit organizations and government. Includes site design and content strategy, brochures, manuscript preparation and evaluation, feature writing, business communications. Personal web clients include National Alliance for the Mentally Ill, Global Leadership Alliance, Sierra Select, Daily Balance, Singer Law, Assemblywoman Rebecca Cohn, and MC Solutions.

Senior Project Analyst, The Office of the Governor, State of California

Appointed by Governor to bring best business practices to existing state government websites. Led web-based projects for Innovation in Government Office, including state employee practices evaluation site and new website for the Office of Small Business Advocate.

Consultant, Gov. Gray Davis, State of California -- 2001-Summer 2002. 

Engaged as a private contractor to the Department of Technology, and assigned to Governor Gray Davis’ Office of Planning and Research. Completed assessment of existing web property, evaluation of content, architecture, workflow, and design. Completed new IA and content strategy, and launched new site.

Senior (Lead) Content Developer, Razorfish

Recruited to direct and develop content needs assessment, competitive analysis, content architecture (with IA), legacy content audit (gap analysis), content management system analysis, content migration strategy, usability, partnership strategy, staffing and workflow analysis, content development and writing, content index and specifications, style guides, development of content branding.  Overseeing varying team members, clients included Cadence Design Systems, Avaya, and Siebel Systems, with a key focus on interaction and inter-relationships with each company’s internal Information Technology department, allowing for transfer of knowledge, security and revision control strategies and operations, and site maintenance.

Sr. Content Consultant, Solutions 2000

Contracted to provide strategy, development, assessment, analysis, and editing for multiple website clients, with a focus on Information Technology manufacturers and resellers.  Communicated and educated on industry best practices, and provided consultative services spanning content text and indexing, page design, art preparation, copy editing, promotion, and usability.  Also provided reassessments and quality reviews, and developed schedules and deliverables.

Content Editor, MightyWords.com

Retained to provide content for daily home page as well as managing revisions and writing all content for major five sales sites in Health, Self Help, Religion, Spirituality and Sports. Directed and coordinated the efforts of multiple independent contributors and authors. Responsibilities include site scheduling, blurbs, page design, author interviews, art preparation, copy editing and promotion.  Significant coordination and interaction with corporate IT staff with respect to internal operations, security, and revision control.

Lead Senior Editor, GoTo.com

Supervising a staff of 30 editors, provided leadership in writing and editing online content; site search for links and relevancy; authoring FAQs and newsletters; staff training and presentations; client service and company e-mail.  Contact point for all IT coordination and interaction for revision control and security. GoTo.com is now Overture.com.

Independent Editor & Writer

Free-lance writer and editor for a variety of hard copy and online projects, including:Copy Editor/Writer, eToys.com, 1998.  Recruited to review and re-write book copy for online bookstore segment of large Internet toy store.

• Managing Editor, Commercial Marine On-Line, 1990-1997. Retained by this monthly internet magazine serving the West Coast fishing industry to solicit, edit, and develop copy and artwork. Performed layout (HTML), wrote news/feature articles, managed site e-mail.

• Editor / Publisher, The Great Times, 1990-1997.  For this weekly entertainment/tourism newspaper, wrote and edited all copy, including editorial and advertising, supervised layout, paste-up, and distribution using desktop publishing tools, and secured advertising.

Assistant Professor of English, Universities of Illinois and Alaska

Taught writing and literature courses to students from freshman to graduate levels, including essay forms, science writing, prose and poetry.  Served on honors and advising committees.

Previous editorial positions included Managing Editor for Good Times, an entertainment tabloid, and Newspaper Reporter for Sparks Publications' daily newspapers in the San Francisco Bay area.