Thomson Gale, Farmington Hills,
MI, June 1997 - August 2006
Web Content Developer
Technical Training Specialist
Editor
B. Dalton Booksellers, Novi, Michigan, June 1996 - June 1997
Assistant Store Manager
The Engravers Journal, Brighton, Michigan, January 1996 - June 1996
Writer/Editor
Monroe County Community College, September 1994 - May 1996
Adjunct Faculty, English
University of Michigan-Dearborn, September 1994 - December 1995
Adjunct Faculty, English
Professional Skills & Accomplishments
Web Development
More than 5 years web development experience
HTML, XHTML, CSS, PHP, Perl, JavaScript
Introduced cascading style sheets to Thomson Gale; developed and implemented CSS on marketing web sites, moving away from table-based construction
Rewrote Thomson Learning’s HTML template using standards-oriented HTML and CSS
Assisted in conversion of Thomson Gale’s online products from non-valid HTML to semantic, standards-oriented and valid XHTML and created complex style sheets
Helped develop improved www.gale.com site architecture based on usability studies
Created HTML templates for marketing web sites, e-newsletters and e-mails; ensured consistent coding and implementation of standards
Cross-browser (FireFox, Internet Explorer, Safari, Opera) and platform (Windows 2000, Windows XP, Macintosh) testing of web sites
Developer
Author of numerous scripts to streamline production of literature division products
Oversaw the initial conversion of data into SGML, including identification of key issues, training contractors in converting and parsing data, and managing the work flow for 100,000 author records
Developed proficiencies in DTD and SGML/XML structures
Worked with Data Analyst to create and manage DTD changes for editorial system; management of changes required reporting out to numerous stakeholders to ensure that changes were effective and timely
Teacher
Trained division members in aspects of the latest software and technology
Taught college writing with an emphasis on developing new skills and critical reasoning; lessons focused on clarity, awareness of audience, and purpose
Developed lesson plans to meet a variety of student’s ability levels, from incoming freshman to returning adult learners
Editor
Edit content for 3 monthly online reference review columns
Maintain online resource centers by working closely with marketing and editorial departments to select new content
Co-edited Contemporary Literary Criticism, a multi-volume print series marketed to academic and public libraries; averaged 11 annual releases with net revenue of $7.9 million
Proof read articles and galleys for monthly magazine
Manager
Project management experience; meeting deadlines and coordinating information between people and departments
Oversaw day-to-day direction of all production activities — including data collection and conversion, rights and permissions management, quality assurance, composition, contractor recruitment and budget management — for multi-volume print series
Managed all aspects of a high-volume retail book store, including budgets, purchasing, and merchandising. Hired and trained employees in customer service, sales, and product awareness
Writer
Managed tight deadlines in order to write and edit at least 4 monthly articles. Required product and customer research to ensure relevance, timeliness, and accuracy of articles. Worked extensively with experts in order to present the most current methods and techniques available
Developed clear and concise computer training documentation for non-technical personnel
Education
Eastern Michigan University
M.A. English, 1994; B.S. English and History, Departmental Honors, 1992
Grand Rapids Community College
A.A. Liberal Arts, 1990
Professional Development
Washtenaw Community College, Internet Professional Advisory Committee, 2005 - Present
Nielsen Norman Group Usability Week Conference, 2003
Corporate training sessions in Business Writing, HTML, Omnimark Programming, Photoshop and Acrobat
Self-taught XHTML, CSS, JavaScript, PHP, MySQL and Perl
Awards
Target Award. 1st place Business-to-Business under $1000/M - Thomson Gale Community Newsletters, 2005
Numerous Encore awards for important contributions to Thomson Gale’s business
