Experience

For the past 15 years I have worked in the newspaper industry in editorial, graphics, web and management departments.

My editorial experience ranges from serving as a simple reporter covering criminal justice, local government, education, science, business and industry, and all varieties of feature writing, to serving as a managing editor coordinating multiple staff writers across two newspapers with responsibilities including assigning stories, developing news packages, converting copy for the web, and developing special sections and magazines.

During my career I have spearheaded several newspaper redesigns, and have also served as art director at three papers, being fully responsible for the image of the entire newspaper. I have created three specialty magazines both providing a market for niche advertisers and creating promotional materials for the local community. In recent years I have helped develop a pagination and copy editing hub for a growing national newspaper company. I have also spent many years providing volunteer design work for the Halifax County Community Theater and other community organizations, creating a variety of high-concept designs for  flyers, posters and other promotional materials.

Over the course of my career I have also been responsible for the web presence of the newspapers I have worked for and have helped them evolve through the constantly changing internet world. I have maintained and designed pages in everything from basic HTML to complex CMS systems like Joomla. I have created site templates for two newspapers which were later integrated into the final design, and have been proactive in including and creating content for social media sites like Facebook and Twitter as well as popular video sites like YouTube.

As a general manager I have developed a variety of leadership skill sets through my experiences in managing payroll and other expenses, leading advertising staff through special promotions, maintaining a pool of delivery drivers and organizing their hours and routes, and coordinating activity with other management positions in the company.

Please see the complete list of work experience below:

  • Editor, Paginator (December 2013 – present), The Stokes News, Civitas Media, Walnut Cove, North Carolina
  • Copy Editor, Paginator (May 2012 – November 2013), Civitas Media, Mount Airy, North Carolina
  • General Manager, Editor, Art Director, Webmaster (June 2009-February 2012),The South Hill Enterprise, South Hill, Virginia
  • Managing Editor, Art Director, The News-Progress, Chase City, Virginia (December 2010 – February 2012)
  • Art Director, Copy Editor/News Designer, Webmaster, The Gazette-Virginian, South Boston, Virginia; The News-Progress, Chase City, Virginia (June 2008-June 2009)
  • Managing Editor, Art Director, The News-Progress, Chase City, Virginia (2006-June 2008)
  • Art Director, Copy Editor/News Designer, Webmaster, The Gazette-Virginian, South Boston, Virginia (2004-2006)
  • Assistant Editor, Staff Writer/Photographer, The News-Progress, Chase City, Virginia (2004)
  • Staff Writer/Photographer (focus on education and feature writing), The Gazette-Virginian, South Boston, Virginia (2003-2005)

A full resume can be downloaded here.