Resume
Click to download a copy of my resume in PDF format.
Profile
Dedicated and creative Publishing / Graphic Design professional with 20 plus years experience in print, digital & web, design and production. Successful management of entire projects from concept to finished product while also doing the day to day creative & production work. Effective at creating solutions and implementing them to the workflow quickly to maintain overall deadlines. Accustomed to pitching in where needed with other aspects of business with minimal training or supervision. Excellent verbal and written communication skills, enthusiastic team leader and team player. Known as the “tech guy” by co-workers, friends and family with an up to date knowledge of the technology and computer world.
Skills Summary
Applications — Adobe Creative Suite including InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop & Acrobat Pro. Microsoft Office, Open Office, Gimp and more.
Platforms — Windows, MacOS, Android & iOS. Minimal Linux experience
Social Media — Some experience with Facebook, Twitter and WordPress
Computer Hardware — Building custom computer systems, sourcing components, trouble shooting & repair of both hardware and software. Basic/Intermediate networking both wired & wireless.
Miscellaneous — HTML, basic CSS, ePub and Mobi (Kindle) eBook creation
Experience
Union Labor Directory — Production Manager / Graphic Designer, 1994 to 2014
Responsible for all aspects of layout, design and production of directory type publication.
Designed ads for customers and also developed/produced other content. Prepared prepress files and worked with printing vendors through entire process to attain high quality final product. Responsible for obtaining quotes from print vendors and assessing their suitability to produce our finished products. Scanning & retouching of customer artwork. Planning & maintaining storage/organization and backup of digital assets/files. Developed Access database for customer information and handled preparations for mailing of final directories. Created company identity (logo, letterhead, business cards). Pitched in where needed for computer and network support, repair, & procurement, also system building. Originally production was traditional paste up type work, over the years responsible for overseeing and implementing the change to modern digital techniques and also procuring and maintaining software upgrades/licenses. Managed department with up to three other individuals working directly for me at any given time. Interfaced daily with sales staff to create forms & documents they might need to support their efforts along with ad proofs for customers and answering any ad related questions a customer might have. Occasionally helped with other aspects of business such as payroll, taxes and basic repair/troubleshooting of copiers, faxes and printers as needed.
Also responsible for creation of indoor advertising signage for clients of affiliated companies (American Advertising Board and Union Advertising Board).
PC Adventures, Inc. — PC Technician, 2000-2001
Troubleshooting and repair of Windows PC’s. System building & component upgrades. PC support over telephone and in person. Advised customers on what systems, components & software might best suit their needs and budget.
Junk Drawer Studios, Inc. — Graphic/Web Designer & Co-Owner, 1999-2000
Developed websites for customers in conjunction with sales team. Produced print advertising and corporate identity materials for customers. Built custom computer systems to suit customer needs and budgets. Performed computer support and upgrades. Taught basic in home/office one on one computer training to people new to computers and the internet.
Also responsible for subsidiary business that sold items for others on eBay. Wrote listings/descriptions, photographed items for best presentation, researched and advised on pricing. Maintained a 100% positive feedback rating.
Education
Associates Degree in Advertising Design from Brown Institute (now Brown College).
Hobbies & Interests
Genealogy, Photography, Model Building, Reading, History…
I was also pleased to do some tech writing for the popular Dear Author blog.