View My VisualCV Online: http://www.visualcv.com/k9u0b40

Skills

Copywriting / Editing

(Intermediate)
3-4 Years Experience, (Currently in use)
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  • SEO and Web-ready articles and text.
  • Advertising and marketing copy.
  • Public relations writing such as press releases and collateral materials.
  • Cataloging of marketing copy and marketing assets.
  • Working as a freelancer to promote my business and ensuring good relations with clients.
  • Familiar with various style guides including Associated Press and Chicago.

Visual Communication

(Beginner)
3-4 Years Experience, (Currently in use)
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  • Photography including several freelance product photography shoots.
  • Digital editing with Adobe Photoshop.
  • Fundamentals of graphic design.
  • Page layout and publishing in Quark, Adobe InDesign, and Microsoft Publisher.
  • Typography.

Computer Skills

(Advanced)
5-6 Years Experience, (Currently in use)
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  • Microsoft Office—Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access, Publisher
  • Macintosh OS-X
  • Windows—XP, Vista, 7
  • PC troubleshooting and repair (software and hardware)
  • Adobe CS—Photoshop, InDesign, and some Dreamweaver
  • Quark Express
  • Internet and Social Media

Administration / Organization

(Intermediate)
1-2 Years Experience, (Currently in use)
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  • Team building, leadership
  • Delegation
  • Prioritization of projects
  • Effective communication with executives
  • Deadline adherence
  • Planning for the unexpected—staying ahead on projects

Education

Liberty University

2003 - 2007
B.S., Communication Studies, Advertising, Public Relations

Summary

Expect the following when you work with me:

 

  • Team player
  • Able to work individually as well
  • Organization, administration, and delegation
  • Supervisor and able to lead
  • Effective communicator
  • Willing to share new ideas
  • Commitment to waste reduction and efficient processes

 

 

Objective

My work ethic is defined by organization, optimization, team building, and project management. 

 

Whether it’s public relations, copywriting, photography, desktop publishing, social media—probably a combination of all of the above & more!—my objective is to use my work ethic to make a meaningful difference in the communications scene at your organization.

 

 

Work History

US Airways

AZ, United States
Present
Senior Specialist - Communications 

My team provides support on the ground for flight crews. We do this by:

 

  • Developing timely memos, bulletins, etc. and making sure they are distributed to the right people at the right place at the right time.
  • Writing and publishing a weekly newsletter to flight crews.
  • Assisting flight crews in resolving various issues they face while on duty.
  • Ad hoc writing, graphic design, web, publishing projects.
  • Reporting on weekly performance goals and achievements.

The commercial airline industry is fast-paced and runs 24/7/365. As a Communications Specialist, I help to ensure the stream of information is continuously flowing in the right direction.

Freelance Writing, Photography Services

Oct 2006 - Present
Self-employed 
Since October 2006 I've maintained a core of clients that I do work for on a freelance basis. My work generally involves creating copy for websites and/or product photography. Lately, in lieu of the recession, I've branched out to bidding on jobs and submitting written work to remote clients. Recent publishers to purchase from me include Ski Magazine and Buffalo News. A series on Buffalo real estate that I wrote was purchased by a national (name withheld) real estate publication.

Kohl's Department Stores

Nov 2008 - Jul 2011
Shoes Department Supervisor and Visual Merchandiser 

• Driving sales in district-leading footwear department by:
• Implementing stronger merchandise presentation and keeping shelves adequately filled
• Leading Shoe Department team
• Developed merchandising best practice to reduce customer confusion in locating wide-width footwear
• Friendly customer service
• Strong focus on independent problem solving—little management oversight, with high expectations
• Planogram development and adherence
• Strong focus on team environment and helping fellow associates achieve their tasks
• Soliciting Kohl’s Charge credit program

Helium Inc.

Aug 2007 - Aug 2010
Freelance contributor 

Helium has provided a venue for me to network with publishers seeking freelance content and is also an open forum for submitting SEO-friendly Web content. Thanks to Helium, I've developed my freelance writing, publishing, and research skills and seen real-time results in the form of supplemental income.

Fisher-Price

Sep 2007 - Jan 2008
Store Associate 
I worked as a long-term seasonal associate in the Toystore at FP Headquarters, hoping to use the opportunity for networking within the company. A full time offer never materialized (dozens of workers were actually laid off), but the retail experience gained gave me a stepping stone to my current career with Kohl's.

Liberty University

Jan 2007 - May 2007
Assistant Copywriter 
My first foray into the world of a professional marketing agency. I strengthened my writing and editing skills while at this job and also learned a great deal about database management.

DSU

May 2006 - Aug 2006
Web Marketing Intern 
This company had no Web presence, which is a necessity to compete in today's marketplace. I suggested a website, along with an MS Access database to better organize inventory. The owner was impressed; he hired me as his summer intern.

Besides fulfilling internship requirements for my degree, I also gained some valuable experience:

* Indpendent Problem Solving. I was on my own at this internship. Web marketing was uncharted territory for DSU, and I learned to work through all problems that I came across.
* Web hosting and FTP. I learned about obtaining a Web host and maintain the site via FTP.
* Web Asset Development. All writing, photos, etc. on this site were my work. Much of what I learned here I use today in my freelance ventures.
* Check it out: www.diamondservicesunlimited.com

Currently, I do occassional updates on this site at the owner's request.

Articles and Writing Samples

Icon_pdf_16 "Mil-walk-ee" - A Travel Column

This is a travel column on visiting Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

 

http://www.buffalonews.com/editorial-page/from-our-readers/my-view/article302601.ece

  

The link above is to a similar piece that Buffalo News published with the editorials.

Icon_word_16 Marketing Perspectives: Athletic Shoes History

A freelance assignment on the history of athletic shoes to be written to an audience of marketing professionals.  Marketing education + freelance writing + selling shoes at Kohl's made me a perfect author on this subject!

Icon_word_16 Retail Credit Cards Op-Ed

Retail credit cards often get negative press.  I wrote this op-ed to defend responsible stewardship of a retail charge account.  It ended up not meeting Buffalo News' editorial needs. 

Icon_word_16 Housing Solution for Haitians Following January 2010 Earthquake

An op-ed that brought together Hurricane Katrina relief efforts and Haitian need following January 12, 2010's devestation. 

College Marketing Communications

Icon_pdf_16 Toyota Matrix Marketing Plan

A comprehensive marketing communications plan for the hypothetical launch of the Toyota Matrix.  This was a team effort and a capstone project fulfilling graduation requirements for my B.S. in Communication Studies.  An oral presentation was given, in which I served as lead presenter, and the project received a grade of "A".

Icon_pdf_16 Toyota Matrix Presentation

Icon_pdf_16 Public Relations Plan for First National Bank of Altavista

A public relations plan for First National Bank of Altavista, Virginia.  This team project involved:

  • partnering with a client
  • assessing PR needs
  • primary research
  • secondary research
  • a comprehensive plan and presentation

The project received a grade of "A".

Visual Media Samples

Icon_pdf_16 Stars - Graphic Design and Writing Sample

I researched, wrote, and edited this piece.  The pagination and layout was an InDesign project.

Icon_pdf_16 Christmas Honda Civic Si Ad

Part one in a two-part magazine advertisement series.  Graphic design and copywriting are original. 

Icon_pdf_16 New Year Honda Civic Si Ad

Part two in the Honda Civic advertisement series.  Graphic design and copywriting are original.

Icon_pdf_16 Newspaper ad for a local rodeo

Newspaper ad for the Liberty Champion.  This was designed for a practicum in newspaper ad design.

Honda Fit—web banner

Honda Fit—web banner

This web banner was part of a larger advertising campaign designed for the U.S. launch of the Honda Fit in 2006.  Entire project and plans book is available for review and it earned a grade of "A".