Professional Summary

Senior writer experienced in technical writing, trade writing, and science journalism.

Writing Skills

• Produce clear science, technical, and trade documents to deadline.

• Explain complex, technical issues in easily understood prose.

• Conduct interviews and user task analysis to create easy-to-follow procedures.

• Plan and execute efficient and attractive documentation.

Software Skills

Personal Skills

• Efficiently coordinate between technical personnel, management, and staff.

• Simultaneously handle multiple complex projects.

• Quickly execute a wide variety of administrative tasks.

• Maintain a friendly, outgoing, and positive outlook.

Technical Writer – 1995 to August 2008

Lumetra Medicare Quality Control – 2004 to August 2008

Senior Technical Writer. Assessed user and corporate needs, developed and produced end-user and systems documentation. Highlights: quick start brochures for doctors with limited computer skills; manuals and training brochures for deployment of a Livelink secure document management system; new hire training programs and documentation which reduced employee ramp-up times; and comprehensive post-disaster Business Continuity Plans for management and employees. Documented in-house software development and networks for developers and end users. Produced on-line training programs for corporate security and compliance whose high quality led to adoption the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

Providian Financial – 1995 to 2004

Technical Writer. Documented end-user procedures for an in-house, Unix-based credit card risk analysis program, providing institutional memory and procedures used to acquire other banks’ unsecured lending operations. Wrote procedures for generating large Unix database reports. Converted an existing data dictionary to a Lotus Notes document library; maintained it and other secure documentation in Notes. Created content for a large Lotus Domino site.

Contract Technical Writer and Editor – 1988 to 1995

• VISA International – Technical Writer. Wrote an end-user manual for an implementation of PeopleSoft.

• United States Postal Service – Technical Writer and Editor. Wrote an end-user manual for the Electronic Commerce Postal Seal User Agent. Revised a manual for the Electronic Marketing and Reporting System.

• Electronic Arts – Writer. Wrote a game play manual and descriptive background material for a computer game on submarine warfare.

• Sutro & Company – Writer. Wrote a biotechnology investment report.

• Baytree Ventures – Staff Writer and Production Assistant. Rewrote travel books on skiing in the Italian Dolomites.

• Bank of America – Procedures Writer. Interviewed users and wrote procedures for escheating unclaimed funds to the State of California.

• HumaniTech – Technical Editor. Edited Optical Character Recognition manual.

Aerospace / Science Journalist

• Freelance Aerospace Trade Writer and Science Writer – 1982 to Date

I regularly write science articles and Op Ed pieces for Space News, Astronomy Now, Sky & Telescope, Spaceflight, and other publications.

• Intertec Publications – 2001 to 2003

Satellite Broadband. Feature and Trade Writer. Researched and wrote articles on satellite communications.

• Parker Trade Press (UK) – 1989 to 2000

Space & Communications. West Coast Space Industry Correspondent. Researched and wrote trade articles on space science, management, and commerce.

• Jane’s Information Group (UK) – 1986 to 1989

Researched and wrote trade articles on space commerce and industry.

• Space Age Publications – 1984 to 1986

Space Calendar (weekly) and SpaceTime (daily). Assistant Editor and Staff Writer. Researched and wrote space industry news copy.

Education

• Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology, specializing in Archaeology, California State University, Sacramento.

• Unix / Linux Fundamentals, City College of San Francisco.

• Certificates in Livelink Fundamentals, Physical Objects, and Records Management.

• Lotus Notes R5 Domino Designer Fundamentals, InfoImage.

• Drawing, San Francisco School of Art.

Hobbies and Interests

References and Portfolio available upon request.