Tom Durkin - Multimedia Writer/Editor
| Summary of Qualifications |
Veteran contract and staff writer and editor. Professional command of both written and spoken
English. Accomplished in researching, analyzing, organizing, explaining, and marketing
complex information in a highly creative and comprehensible form for the Web, print,
broadcast, and video/film.
Expert in “black-box” technical editing, interviewing subject matter experts, and working with
English-as-second-language authors. Ten-plus years experience in remote telework with
virtual teams. Proficient in MS Word and Windows networks; working knowledge of Excel and
PowerPoint. Experience with graphics programs, Web-authoring tools, and online collaboration.
Skilled in writing and editing technical and feature articles, white papers, marketing literature,
legal and legislative analyses, grant proposals, executive-level newsletters, business and
feature news, and research-and-write cold assignments.
Knowledgeable in Web and print layout and design, as well as print publication processes.
Familiar with major stylebooks and able to create and implement internal editorial guidelines.
English. Accomplished in researching, analyzing, organizing, explaining, and marketing
complex information in a highly creative and comprehensible form for the Web, print,
broadcast, and video/film.
Expert in “black-box” technical editing, interviewing subject matter experts, and working with
English-as-second-language authors. Ten-plus years experience in remote telework with
virtual teams. Proficient in MS Word and Windows networks; working knowledge of Excel and
PowerPoint. Experience with graphics programs, Web-authoring tools, and online collaboration.
Skilled in writing and editing technical and feature articles, white papers, marketing literature,
legal and legislative analyses, grant proposals, executive-level newsletters, business and
feature news, and research-and-write cold assignments.
Knowledgeable in Web and print layout and design, as well as print publication processes.
Familiar with major stylebooks and able to create and implement internal editorial guidelines.
Relevant Contract and Staff Experience |
Writer/Editor/Consultant – Northern California; 3/04 – present
Managing Editor – Xcell Journal magazine, Xilinx Inc., San Jose, CA; 10/00 – 1/04
Assistant Editor – E-commerce User Experience, Nielsen Norman Group, Fremont, CA; 3 – 9/00
Senior Technical Editor – Raytheon Engineering Services Co., Sacramento, CA; 10/99 – 8/00
Contributing Author – Chicken Soup for the Single's Soul, Dearfield Beach, FL; 1999
Feature Writer – Si Review magazine, Los Altos, CA; 3 – 8/99
Technical Writer/Editor – SyncAccess Inc., Sacramento, CA; 1/99 – 5/99
News and Features Editor – Robot Science & Technology magazine, Rocklin, CA; 12/97 – 6/98
Technology Writer – Faulkner Information Services, Pennsauken, NJ; 11/97 – 2/98
Webmaster/Content Editor – Fleming LTD Telework Consulting, Davis, CA; 1/96 – 2/98
Contributing Author – Cyberscribes.1: The New Journalists, San Diego, CA; 8/97
Webmaster/Content Editor – International Police Association, USA Region 29, Auburn, CA;
10/96 – 4/97
Feature Writer – Telecommuting Review, Gil Gordon Associates, Monmouth Junction, NJ; 4/95
– 12/97
Reporter/Editor – California Education Funding Alert, Thompson Publishing Group,
Sacramento, CA; 1/96 – 9/96
Editor/Legal Reporter – California Employee Relations Report, The Bureau of National Affairs,
Inc., Sacramento, CA; 8/91 – 3/95
Copy Editor/Reporter – The Sacramento Business Journal, Sacramento, CA; 10/89 – 4/91
Previous/Other Journalism Experience:
- Fleming LTD Telework Consulting – website content
- Colfax Record, Colfax, CA – news correspondent
- Spherion/Technisource, Sacramento, CA – feature writer/editor
- Innovative Integration, Simi Valley, CA – technical writer/editor
- Infiniti Consulting Group, Sacramento, CA – technical writer
- Dr. Emmett Miller, Nevada City, CA – editorial consultant
- Avanti Restaurant Solutions, Sacramento, CA – website content
- Smart News, Fayetteville, SC – daily newspaper reporter/analyst
- AMMA Corp., Taiwan – website content
- Jeffrey DeMure + Associates, El Dorado Hills, CA – contract bid
- Animal Acupressure Massage Training Center, Nevada City, CA – marketing consultant
- The Flying Hare Salon and Gallery, Grass Valley, CA – marketing consultant
- Various other small business clients, including artists and musicians
Managing Editor – Xcell Journal magazine, Xilinx Inc., San Jose, CA; 10/00 – 1/04
- Edited and supervised editors of technical articles written by programmable logic
engineers, including many English-as-second-language authors.
- Guided conversion and expansion of the full-color, quarterly magazine from a cost
center to revenue generator through sales of full-page ads to major high-tech
corporations.
- Co-authored writers’ guidelines and designed MS Word article template.
Assistant Editor – E-commerce User Experience, Nielsen Norman Group, Fremont, CA; 3 – 9/00
Senior Technical Editor – Raytheon Engineering Services Co., Sacramento, CA; 10/99 – 8/00
- Researched worldwide aftermarket for strategic semiconductors for Department of
Defense.
- Analyzed incidence, frequency, and cost of maintenance/repair of AV-8B Harrier II jets
for U.S. Marine Corps.
Contributing Author – Chicken Soup for the Single's Soul, Dearfield Beach, FL; 1999
Feature Writer – Si Review magazine, Los Altos, CA; 3 – 8/99
Technical Writer/Editor – SyncAccess Inc., Sacramento, CA; 1/99 – 5/99
News and Features Editor – Robot Science & Technology magazine, Rocklin, CA; 12/97 – 6/98
- Researched, wrote, and edited feature articles on robots and robotics.
- Edited how-to articles for robot hobbyists.
Technology Writer – Faulkner Information Services, Pennsauken, NJ; 11/97 – 2/98
- Researched and wrote technical reports on telecommuting and telecommunications.
- Specialized in research-and-write cold assignments.
Webmaster/Content Editor – Fleming LTD Telework Consulting, Davis, CA; 1/96 – 2/98
- Designed, built, and maintained active website with monthly updates of hyperlinks and
articles.
- Edited guest articles on an array of telework technology and virtual office issues.
Contributing Author – Cyberscribes.1: The New Journalists, San Diego, CA; 8/97
Webmaster/Content Editor – International Police Association, USA Region 29, Auburn, CA;
10/96 – 4/97
Feature Writer – Telecommuting Review, Gil Gordon Associates, Monmouth Junction, NJ; 4/95
– 12/97
- Wrote creative articles on telework technology and best practices for virtual workplace
implementation.
- Researched and authored white paper on effectiveness and feasibility of telework
centers in the U.S.
Reporter/Editor – California Education Funding Alert, Thompson Publishing Group,
Sacramento, CA; 1/96 – 9/96
- Started up and edited start-up executive-level newsletter on education finance and
legislation.
- Broke news of $1.7 billion settlement of California Teachers Association lawsuit against
State of California over misappropriation of education funds.
Editor/Legal Reporter – California Employee Relations Report, The Bureau of National Affairs,
Inc., Sacramento, CA; 8/91 – 3/95
- Started up and edited executive-level newsletter on California and federal employment
law.
- Developed deep-issue expertise covering California workers’ compensation reform,
state and federal family medical leave, and fair employment practices.
Copy Editor/Reporter – The Sacramento Business Journal, Sacramento, CA; 10/89 – 4/91
- “Last eyes” editor of all major news stories.
- Reported on construction, labor unions, and human resource issues.
- Created education beat.
Previous/Other Journalism Experience:
- Auburn Journal – daily news reporter, general assignment, breaking news, government,
education, entertainment (editor)
- Smart News, Fayetteville, SC – news reporter/analyst
- KAHI/KHYL radio – spot news
- Colfax Record – city government, police/fire, community news
- Sacramento Bee, Neighbors – news features
Education |
Postgraduate Studies: English and Computer Science– Sonoma State University, California
MFA, Theater Arts (TV/Film/Multimedia) – UCLA
BA, Psychology – UCLA, cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa
In-Service Training
Continuing education credits in English and journalism, computer applications, education and
training, leadership, and time/work management. Committed to lifelong learning.
9/4/08
GO HOME
MFA, Theater Arts (TV/Film/Multimedia) – UCLA
BA, Psychology – UCLA, cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa
In-Service Training
- Seven Habits of Highly Effective People
- Facilitative Leadership
- Teacher Power!
- Conflict Resolution and Confrontation Skills
- Grant Writing
Continuing education credits in English and journalism, computer applications, education and
training, leadership, and time/work management. Committed to lifelong learning.
9/4/08
GO HOME
| Colfax, California 530-559-3199 tom@words4work.net |