Interesting.Stuff

About.Me

what makes me tick

I am a "jack" of many trades and a juggler of many tasks. I have an insatiable curiousity 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. In my current position as Creative Services Manager, I have managed a broad range of projects for the Minnesota Office of Higher Education:

  • Print: redesign, development and updates of agency publications
  • Web: site redesigns and restructuring as well as development of new features and content
  • CD-ROMs: development of two interactive CD-ROMs as well as their online counterparts
  • DVDs: development of four DVDs for the agency's early awareness program
  • 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 managing creative 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


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.

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.

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.
  • Copied and bound training manuals (later coordinated manual orders from external vendor).

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.

Additional.Experience


TEACHING ASSISTANT / MEMBER, Northfield Tai Chi Chuan, September 1995 - September 1999, June 2002 - June 2003
CONTRIBUTOR (nonfiction), Fine Frenzy, St. Olaf College English Department alumni newsletter, 1995
STUDENT LIBRARY ASSISTANT, Rĝlvaag Memorial Library, St. Olaf College, part-time, May 1992 - May 1995
CONTRIBUTOR (fiction), St. Olaf College Literary Arts Magazine, 1995
STUDENT EDITOR, Outis, St. Olaf College English Department newsletter, spring issue, 1995
VOLUNTEER, Odyssey of the Mind, regional competition, 1994 and 1995
TEACHING ASSISTANT, College English (writing section), St. Olaf College English Department, part-time, September 1994 - December 1994
CONTRIBUTOR (photography), St. Olaf College Yearbook, 1993 and 1994

Computer.Skills


Knowledge of:
  • Adobe Acrobat
  • Adobe InDesign
  • Adobe PageMaker
  • Adobe Photoshop
  • FileMaker Pro
  • HTML
  • Microsoft Excel
  • Microsoft Outlook
  • Microsoft PowerPoint
  • Microsoft Word
  • QuarkXpress
  • Quattro Pro
  • WordPerfect

Basic knowledge of Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Premiere Elements, and Microsoft Access
Knowledge of MacOS and Windows

Education&Training


ST. OLAF COLLEGE, Northfield, MN
  • 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

CONTINUING EDUCATION
  • Management Certificate (non-credit), Carlson School of Management, University of Minnesota, 2003
  • Compleat Scholar Program, 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, 2000
  • External Graduate Humanities Program, California State University, 1999 - 2000
  • How to Design Attention-Grabbing Brochures, Catalogs, Ads, Newsletters and Reports, 1999
  • The Loft, 1998
  • Graduate Fine Arts in Writing Program, Hamline University, 1995 - 1996

Design provided by Free Web Templates - your source for free website templates