Writer/Photographer/Consultant (April 2003 to Present)
Writer, photographer, and consultant with works in science, technology, fiction, and military/national security. Two embeds as a combat reporter/photographer produced stories and three books of photography detailing day-to-day life of the troops. Consulting has involved disaster preparedness, national security, and marketing/public relations.
Marketing Consultant, Purdue University (March 2009 to September 2010)
Performed strategic marketing consulting for clients within Purdue University, including development of strategic marketing plans, marketing briefs, and other activities to help advance clients and ensure integration into overall Purdue strategic plan and branding efforts.
Biomedical Engineering (BME) Project Editor, Purdue University (January 2005 to March 2009)
Working within the Engineering Communications Office, provided marketing and communications for the Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering. School head credits efforts with being critical to achieving Top 20 U.S. News & World Report graduate program ranking within three years.
CST, Inc., Huntsville, Alabama (August 1998 to November 2002)
Developed “from scratch” and implemented strategic and tactical outreach (marketing) plans conforming to NASA strategic and programmatic goals. In less than three years, met the five year goal of increasing positive exposure within the agency, within the government, within industry, and increasing the number of industry partners for the Commercial Space Centers. This was done by the creation of an integrated, targeted, print, electronic, and trade show presence on a limited budget; alliances or partnerships with major industry organizations and trade show developers; dedicated outreach to science media; a specialized program for outreach to the entertainment industry; and, the creation of materials for congressional and administrative use.
Powers Communications, Various Locations (1996 to 1998)
Writing and editing services were provided to journalism outlets ranging from Discovery.Com (science) to IEEE Spectrum magazine (disaster preparedness/crisis management), and to institutions including the Georgia Tech Research Institute. Broadcast work included a monthly science radio show on KNLS. Consulting was provided to a proprietary list of clients on communications, crisis management, and disaster preparedness; and, public speaking was done for groups of up to several hundred people. Additional services, including trade show staffing and voiceover work, were also available.
Essex Corporation, Huntsville, Alabama (January 1990 to September 1996)
Served as project manager for publications and support on six NASA missions, and provided general support to NASA and Essex corporate as needed. In addition to project management, provided business development activities, writing, editing, video development, presentation, disaster preparedness/crisis management planning, and network administration. Business development entailed seeking new work and clients, developing bids, working on bid and proposal teams, and developing and maintaining customer relationships.
University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee (August 1988 to May 1989) Graduate Research Assistant
Performed academic research and administrative support in the School of Journalism of the College of Communications. Portions of the research conducted for major assistantship advisor, Dr. Edward Caudill, was used in his 1989 book, Darwinism in the Press: The Evolution of an Idea. In addition to providing general support to Dr. Caudill, administrative support included setting up a review and tracking system for the review of the large number of papers submitted to the American Journalism Historians Association annual conference. Forms developed for this purpose have received continued use as responsibility has rotated to other universities.
Schneider Services International, Arnold AFB, Tennessee (October 1985 to December 1987) Senior Science Writer
Worked in the Public Information/Public Affairs office in support of base operations contract. Wrote, edited, and developed both general and aerospace science stories, marketed them to target media and helped support Arnold Engineering Development Center (AEDC) marketing efforts. As a part of general marketing efforts, developed press release distribution list and labels, largely from personal address file; marketed stories and/or tours by phone, letter and in person to local, regional, national, and international media; and conducted tours and briefings for a variety of guests. Also started SSI participation in public television fund drives. Managed disaster preparedness planning, which included: Developing the first draft of an office disaster operations manual; developing computer generated internal emergency forms; developing pre-prepared press releases; stocking and upgrading of office “crash” kits; creating personal “crash” kits for key personnel; preparing for emergency computer operations; and procurement of necessary hardware. As a part of these and normal office duties, took part in disaster drills and training. Responded to the J-5 explosion and was the SSI PI/PA lead on the J-5 recovery effort, and underwent AF Security Police Augmenter training and refresher training. Qualified military expert with M-16 and issue pistol.