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Work experience

Apr 2013Present

Multi-Media Reporter

Washington Observer-Reporter

Returned to the Observer-Reporter in April 2013 and have been promoted to multi-media staff writer in charge of covering crime, courts, city government and the Marcellus Shale natural gas production in Western Pennsylvania. Additional duties include photography, editing, Twitter, Facebook and managing the newspaper's website.

Nov 2010Apr 2013

Editor

Patch.com

Worked as an editor and reporter covering the Bridgeville, Collier, Heidelberg, Scott and South Fayette for the Patch.com news network. Served as writer, photographer, editor, webmaster and social media guru for the next generation of journalism. Covered major events, such as the search for a missing Bridgeville man, devastating fire at Sarris Candies in Canonsburg and the major financial problems surrounding the Bridgeville Public Library.

Jul 2009Oct 2010

Freelance Reporter

Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Worked as a general assignment freelance reporter for the second largest print news organization in Western Pennsylvania. Covered local government and school board meetings for Trib Total Media and its various weekly papers. Also wrote feature stories for the newspaper's Neighborhood section.

Mar 2010Sep 2010

Enumerator

U.S. Census Bureau

Served in a managerial role overseeing the work of 13 census enumerators. As a crew leader supervisor, I was responsible for assigning and collecting cases from census employees, while also authorizing work from the local headquarters in Beaver Falls, Pa. Worked in several phases of the 2010 Census, which included quality control checks to ensure the door-to-door interviews were conducted properly.

Nov 2006Jun 2009

Reporter

Washington Observer-Reporter

Assigned to cover municipal government, school board meetings, local elections and police reporting in Washington County. Reported on other issues, such as the development of a coal refuse power plant, natural gas drilling in the region and Allegheny Energy's proposed high-voltage power line through Washington and Greene counties.

Aug 2005Nov 2006

Reporter

Charleston Daily Mail

Wrote hard news and feature stories as police reporter for Charleston’s afternoon newspaper. While primarily assigned to the cops beat, I occasionally wrote auto racing articles and columns. I received a West Virginia Press Association award for coverage of the evacuation of New Orleans residents from Louis Armstrong International Airport by the 130th Airlift Wing following Hurricane Katrina.

Feb 2004May 2005

Reporter

The Daily Athenaeum

Served as a staff writer for WVU’s student-run daily newspaper. Covered campus and city events, including WVU celebratory riots and expulsions, city council meetings and county magistrates cases. Attended Mountaineers baseball games and wrote game stories for the sports section.

May 2004Aug 2004

Media/Marketing Intern

Washington Wild Things

Interned for Frontier League minor-league baseball team in Washington County. Wrote game recaps, worked scoreboard message board, and assisted public address announcer during games. Helped prepare press releases and media guides before games, and also appeared as "The Wild Thing" mascot at events.

Education

Aug 2001May 2005

Bachelor of Science

West Virginia University

Graduated cum laude from the P.I. Reed School of Journalism. While at WVU, played in the Mountaineer Marching Band for four years and was selected bass drum captain during senior year. Spent time working at WVU's student radio station, U92 FM, and worked as a reporter for the daily campus newspaper.

Sep 1997Jun 2001

High School Diploma

Mt. Lebanon High School

Graduated on the Honor Roll while also spending four years in the high school percussion ensemble and marching band. Served as drum captain for the drumline during senior year.

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