About.Me

what makes me tick

I am a "jack" of many trades and a juggler of many tasks. I have an insatiable curiosity and thrive on new challenges. The marriage of both the analytical and creative, my mind (and all the information crammed inside) is my most valuable tool. I have managed projects involving:

Print: redesigns, content development, and updates
Web Sites: redesigns, content development, updates, and restructuring
Social Networking: account management and content development
Blog: account management, recruit guest writers, and write and edit articles
CD-ROMs: content development and online conversions
DVDs: production management of and scriptwriting for informational DVDs
Market Research: use of paper and online surveys as well as focus groups
Data Collection: use of online forms to collect data for print and online uses

Summary.Statement

what I bring to the table

Highly motivated professional with more than 10 years experience managing creative and communications projects. Strong organizational, time management, and problem-solving skills. Ability to establish priorities, work independently, and juggle a variety of tasks. Proactive and results-oriented team player able to work collaboratively with staff at all levels. Wide scope of computer knowledge, including graphic design and web experience. Masters new technology quickly.

Professional.Experience

SENIOR COMMUNICATIONS SPECIALIST, Barr Engineering Company, Minneapolis, MN, full time, January 2012 - present

WEB CONTENT DEVELOPER & EDITOR (freelance consultant), Minnesota Department of Education, Roseville, MN, January 2012 - present

WEB CONTENT DEVELOPER & EDITOR (freelance consultant), iSeek Solutions, St. Paul, MN, November 2010 - December 2011

Managed, recruited external writers, and edited and wrote articles for a blog on career, education, and employment.
Reviewed, edited, and wrote content for the ISEEK and CareerOneStop web sites.
Updated and added new web content, and recommended information architecture changes.
Tested and improved readability level of web content.
Prepared data for a career cluster interest assessment and a career pathway-to-occupation crosswalk.
Wrote 200 career descriptions for an adult basic education career web site.
Coordinated the development of an online work-based learning tool and an online career fair tool.
Managed news RSS feeds.
Assisted with web site testing
Served on a career discovery advising committee for Advance IT Minnesota

PUBLICATIONS COORDINATOR (freelance consultant), Minnesota Office of Higher Education, St. Paul, MN, May 2011 - June 2011

Coordinated publication updates with graphic design agency.
Updated publication files in QuarkXpress and InDesign.
Reviewed proofs from graphic design agency.
Prepared print specs for bid process.

CREATIVE SERVICES MANAGER, Minnesota Office of Higher Education, St. Paul, MN, full time, February 2001 - July 2010

Managed publication development and redesigns and assisted with press checks.
Wrote, edited, compiled, and updated content for publications and web sites.
Managed the redesign and restructuring of web sites, identified possible enhancements, developed new content and features, and updated existing content.
Acted as the primary liaison with graphic designer and other creative professionals.
Managed the agency's social networking presence on Facebook and YouTube and drafted a social media policy.
Assisted in the development of youth-oriented ad campaign that included a television spot, web site, transit signage, and posters.
Assisted with curriculum development, served as the newsletter editor, and coordinated the development of a financial literacy interactive CD-ROM and four DVDs for Get Ready, the agency's early awareness program.
Implemented and oversaw the online collection of college admissions and financial aid information for use in several publications and dynamic online databases.
Managed the development of an interactive CD-ROM for high school students and its later conversion to Flash for online use.
Developed and maintained an online communications handbook to track product redesigns and production costs and history.
Conducted market research through the use of paper and online surveys, focus groups, and targeted meetings with key audiences and stakeholders.
Coordinated the agency's presence at the Minnesota State Fair.
Implemented and maintained a system to track and categorize potential print vendors.
Managed agency digital assets and educated staff on compliance with agency standards.
Drafted request for proposals and vendor contracts.

DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANT, MELD, Minneapolis, MN, part time, April 1999 - April 2000

Maintained customer database, including importing and exporting data.
Managed conference activities, including research, materials, and registration.
Coordinated mailings of catalogs and other mailings as needed.
Designed training services catalog for training department.
Managed literature supply and processed requests for program information.
Designed forms for database entry and conference management.

EDITORIAL ASSISTANT, Carleton College News Bureau, Northfield, MN, temporary part time, April 1999 - June 1999

Compiled bi-weekly public events calendar for local and regional media.
Wrote student, faculty, and event press releases, including graduation.
Compiled internal releases about faculty, staff, and student accomplishments.

MARKETING ASSISTANT, Minnesota Education Technology Alliance, Mendota Heights, MN, part time, January 1996 - February 1998

Designed computer workshop catalog, newsletter, and staff biographies
Proofread and edited brochures, sales letters, and computer training manuals.
Assisted with updates of training department web pages and created PDF files.
Managed marketing database, including importing and exporting data.
Coordinated catalog mailings and solicited bids from bulk mailers.

CIRCULATION & PROMOTIONS ASSISTANT, The Five Owls Magazine, Hamline University Graduate School, St. Paul, MN, part time, November 1995 - May 1997

Processed subscription orders and managed database, including exporting data.
Coordinated issue, renewal, and promotional mailings.
Implemented new renewal procedure and tracked subscription returns.
Provided customer support and processed customer requests.
Managed the magazine's web page.
Compiled yearly volume indexes and master index.
Prepared receivables for weekly processing by university business office.
Designed renewal and promotional pieces as needed.
Maintained office organization, supplies, and back issues.

Volunteer.Experience

COMMUNICATIONS & MARKETING CONSULTANT, Save the Northfield Depot, Northfield, MN, part-time volunteer, June 2010 - present

Manages web site, and updates, writes, and edits content.
Designs collateral material in Microsoft Word, including a newsletter template and two donation brochures.
Manages design process for organization logo and web site.
Assists with development of marketing plan.

MARKETING & DEVELOPMENT CONSULTANT, Rice County Affiliate of Habitat for Humanity, Northfield, MN, part-time volunteer, December 1997 - March 2001

Designed, researched, wrote, and edited quarterly newsletter.
Assisted with marketing and public relations strategies.
Designed collateral material, including brochures, postcards, forms, and the annual report.

Computer.Skills

Knowledge of:

Adobe Acrobat
Adobe InDesign
Adobe PageMaker
Adobe Photoshop
FileMaker Pro
HTML
Microsoft Excel
Microsoft Outlook
Microsoft PowerPoint
Microsoft Word
QuarkXpress

Basic knowledge of:

Adobe Dreamweaver
Adobe Illustrator
Adobe Premiere Elements
Drupal
iMovie
Microsoft Access

Education&Training

SAINT OLAF COLLEGE

B. A. in English
Historical Perspectives Concentration in "Ancient Speculative History"

Undergraduate Honors

Magna cum laude
English Department Distinction (creative writing project)
Phi Alpha Theta, National History Honor Society
Honors List, all years

GRADUATE EDUCATION

External Graduate Humanities Program, California State University, 1999 - 2000
Graduate Fine Arts in Writing Program, Hamline University, 1995 - 1996

CONTINUING EDUCATION (non-credit)

Introduction to Video Production, IFP Minnesota Center for Media Arts, 2010
Mastering New Marketing Practices, College of Continuing Education, University of Minnesota, 2007
Management Certificate, Carlson School of Management, University of Minnesota, 2003, classes included:
  - Building Teamwork and Commitment
  - Creating a Motivating Work Environment
  - Delegation: Enhancing Job Performance
  - Finance and Accounting for Nonfinancial Managers
  - How to Write a Successful Marketing Plan
  - Introduction to Market Research
  - Leadership Development
  - Management Fundamentals
  - Marketing Basics
  - Marketing Communications
  - Problem Solving and Decision Making
Compleat Scholar Program (personal enrichment), College of Continuing Education, University of Minnesota, 1997 - 1999, 2001 - 2003
Stephen Covey's 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, 2001
Inside Books conference, Institute of Literary Arts, 2001
The Secrets to Flawless Pre-Press and Printing workshop, 2000
How to Design Attention-Grabbing Brochures, Catalogs, Ads, Newsletters and Reports, 1999
Beginning Fiction: Constructing the Story, The Loft, 1998

Lisa Thompson

Print.Projects

Web.Projects

Multimedia.Projects