Resume

EXPERIENCE

THE HERALD-PALLADIUM (May 2009-present)
Saint Joseph, MI; Features Writer

  • Coordinate coverage and write articles on regional arts and entertainment events, providing readers with insightful information on local and national acts in the fields of music, fine arts, dance, theater and film
  • Write long-form Sunday features that give readers a glimpse into the lives, challenges and achievements of people in their community

SOUTH BEND TRIBUNE (October 2004-January 2009)
South Bend, IN; Features Writer/Television Columnist

  • Wrote articles on vibrant arts scene that provided readers with both information and critical evaluation of music, fine arts, theater, film and television
  • Contributed to the development of new media by providing blog and video entries as newspaper expanded its use of web-based information
  • Expanded newspaper’s television coverage by developing a rapport with national media relations sources to obtain interviews with celebrity talent and high-profile industry executives

VERTIS, INC. (March 2004-October 2004)
Scottsdale, AZ; Graphic Designer-Temporary Position

  • Provided layout, design and editing support to a production team that assembled and proofed nationally distributed advertising inserts for Osco Drug and the Albertsons grocery store chain

EAST VALLEY TRIBUNE (November 2002-March 2004)
Mesa, AZ; Assistant Features Editor/Features Writer/Columnist

  • Coordinated photography, graphics and illustrations with staff members and freelance artists to provide visual content for articles appearing in the daily Life section
  • Wrote long-form general features and a weekly outdoor adventure column that provided readers with expert information and personal insight on a range of activities from day hikes to cave exploration

CASPER STAR-TRIBUNE (November 2001-November 2002)
Casper, WY; Assistant Universal Desk Editor

  • Teamed with multiple editors to lead the design staff in the layout and production of all daily pages with an emphasis on A1 and local news for Wyoming’s only statewide newspaper

FORT COLLINS COLORADOAN (November 1998-October 2001)
Fort Collins, CO; Sports Designer/Copy Editor/Columnist

  • Edited late-breaking sports copy on tight deadlines and led design team in page production
  • Wrote occasional long-form features and a weekly snow sports column with an emphasis on the ski industry

THE CALIFORNIAN (March 1997-November 1998)
Salinas, CA; Sports Editor

  • Coordinated daily sports section production and management of a four-member staff

VAIL DAILY (June 1995 - March 1997)
Vail, CO; Sports Editor/City Editor

  • Assigned stories, edited copy, designed pages and wrote features for sports and city staffs

MIAMISBURG/WEST CARROLLTON NEWS (October 1992-June 1995)
Miamisburg, OH; Sports Editor/Photographer

  • Wrote, photographed and executed all area sports coverage in a one-person department

EDUCATION

EASTERN KENTUCKY UNIVERSITY, Richmond, KY

  • Bachelor of Arts degree in journalism with a psychology minor, July 1992

SKILLS

  • Fluent in Adobe Photoshop, InDesign and Quark XPress programs on PC and Mac platforms
  • Flexible and organized with multiple assignments under daily pressures and deadlines
  • Ability to write, post and coordinate web content, including blogs, photos and videos
  • Capable photographer with work published in myriad local and regional publications

NOTABLE AWARDS

  • Michigan Press Association Better Newspaper Contest, First Place, Feature Writing, 2011
  • Suburban Newspapers of America (national award), Second Place, Arts & Entertainment Writing, 2006
  • Arizona Press Club, Third Place any circulation, Feature Column Writing, 2003
  • Gannett Well Done, Runner-Up (first quarter), Feature Writing, 2001
  • Gannett Well Done, Runner-Up (third quarter), Sports Writing, 1997
  • Osman C. Hooper Award (Ohio’s statewide awards), First Place, Sports Section, 1995
  • Ohio Prep Sports Writer’s Award, Second and Fifth places, Investigative Reporting 1995
  • National Amateur Baseball Federation Media Excellence Award, 1994
  • Osman C. Hooper Award, Second Place, Photography and Original Art & Graphics, 1994
  • Brown Publishing Company Award, Second Place, Sports Feature 1994
  • Ohio Prep Sports Writer’s Award, Second Place, Sports Feature 1993

ASSOCIATIONS & HONORS

  • Judge for Colorado Press Association’s Better Newspaper Contest, 2011
  • Member of the Television Critics Association, 2007-2010
  • Featured speaker at the South Bend Tribune’s Journalism Workshop at the University of Notre Dame (2006, 2007), Eastern Kentucky University’s College of Business & Technology’s Professional Skills Conference (2006), and Indiana University South Bend’s feature writing classes (2007)
  • Voter for Ohio’s Professional & Amateur Athlete of the Year 1993 - 1995
  • Member of The Ohio Prep Sports Writer’s Association, 1993 - 1995
  • Member of The Society of Professional Journalists, 1990 - 1996

References available upon request.