Qualifications

  •  More than 15 years of experience writing, assigning, editing, and developing content for a range of print publications and digital platforms, including a monthly magazine with a readership of 1.6 million per issue

 Specialized Skills

  • Writing, editing, proofreading, social media networking, meeting deadlines, generating creative story content for all platforms, coordinating/overseeing photo shoots, project management, budgeting

  • Proficient in AP/MLA editing styles, Office 365, SmartConnection, Adobe InCopy/InDesign/Photoshop, Google Analytics, Chartbeat, Social Flow, SEO best practices, CMS systems

Professional Experience

Director of Strategic Content, Medium Giant, formerly Belo+Company (January 2021-present)

  • Oversee content fulfillment for all agency clients, including websites, microsites, landing pages, blogs, email, social media, and non-technical search engine optimization (SEO)

  • Oversee advertising-driven content for The Dallas Morning News owned media properties, including print and digital special sections, hybrid products such as FWD>DFW and Abode, native advertising, and any other editorial/sponsored content created outside of the newsroom

  • Concept and execute new, content-driven advertising products for The Dallas Morning News owned media properties

  • Collaborate with content strategy, search engine optimization (SEO), user experience (UX), creative, web development, and account services teams

  • Identify areas for process improvement and efficiencies

Freelance Editor and Writer, various publications (2012-present)

  • D Home, D Weddings, Robb Report Home & Style, PaperCity, Leverage Global Partners, D Custom Publishing, Briggs Freeman Sotheby's International Realty

Managing Editor, Ansira (July 2017-January 2021)

  • Collaborated with content marketing director and other departments including creative, social, user experience, and search; devised and executed creative approaches to engage multiple clients’ target audiences through content

  • Content ideation for multiple client blogs, websites, email campaigns, and more; oversaw photo shoots; maintained and established editorial calendars

  • Translated creative direction and copy points from creative briefs into engaging and effective content concepts; managed and assigned work to an extensive network of freelance writers

  • Wrote and edited copy for multiple client’s, including Rent-a-Center, FedEx, and Domino’s; managed paperwork, deadlines, and meetings

Managing Editor, CultureMap Dallas (May 2016-July 2017)

  • Managed local editorial calendar, oversaw invoices and budget

  • Generated ideas and assigned stories to staff writers, freelancers, and photographers; edited all incoming articles for content and style; wrote stories as needed; procured, cropped, and uploaded photos to the CMS

  • Built home pages and daily emails, managed and monitored editorial social media posts, and tracked online traffic

  • Represented CultureMap at editorial and social events

Managing Editor, FD and FD House, The Dallas Morning News (January 2015-January 2016)

  • Assigned, edited, and wrote features, departments, and front of book stories; proofed final layouts and read dummy book and corrections

  • Sourced imagery, scouted locations, and pulled product for/arranged photo shoots

  • Attended events, oversaw editorial and art budget, set/enforced deadlines, and maintained production calendar

Editor in Chief, Celebrated Living (April 2014-January 2015)

  • Served as creative lead for a quarterly luxury travel and lifestyle magazine

  • Developed story lineup, coordinated celebrity cover stories, top-edited all content, proofed final layouts, wrote cover blurbs and headlines, read match prints and dummy book, and managed the editorial budget

  • Provided photo and design direction, sourcing and editing images and pulling product for/overseeing photo shoots

 Senior Editor, American Way (2009-January 2015)

  • Assigned, edited, and wrote cover stories and features; generated and edited content for front of book

  • Wrote headlines, subheads, and story captions; pulled product for/oversaw photo shoots

  • Managed a stable of 30-plus writers, negotiated fees, and handled contracts; participated in promotional blogging, tweeting, and other social networking

  • Special projects included writing/producing the annual holiday gift guide and the annual Road Warrior issue

 Associate Editor, American Way (2003-2009)

 Assistant Editor, American Way/Celebrated Living (2000-2003)

 Communications Assistant, Grapevine/Colleyville ISD (1998-2000)

Awards

  • 2022 Marcom Gold Award, Digital Media/Website/Tourism, Explore Sauk County (Content Editor)

  • 2022 Marcom Honorable Mention Award, Digital Media/Website/Tourism, Visit Ulster County (Content Editor)

  • 2015 Society for Features Journalism Excellence-in-Features Award, Best Niche Product, FD

  • 2015 Apex Award of Excellence, Celebrated Living (Winter 2014)

  • 2015 WPA Maggie Award, Best Quarterly Magazine, Celebrated Living (Winter 2014)

  • 2015 WPA Maggie Award, Most Improved Publication, Celebrated Living (Winter 2014)

  • 2006 WPA Maggie Award, First Place, Best Interview or Profile: “You Ever Heard of Sydney Frank?” by Joe Guinto (Editor)

  • 2006 Lowell Thomas Silver Award, Environmental Tourism: “Galapagos Endangered” by Ken McAlpine (Editor)

  • 1999 Gold Star Award, Texas School Public Relations Association (TSPRA)

  • 1999 Award of Excellence, National School of Public Relations Association (NSPRA)

Education

Bachelor of Arts in English Literature, Texas Christian University (1994-1998)­­­