Resume

Education

Masters of Arts in English with Technical Writing Emphasis		(1996-2003)
Brigham Young University		Provo, Utah
Thesis: How a design-based heuristic can improve cross-cultural communication on the Internet

Bachelors of Arts in English	(1990 - 1996)
Brigham Young University	Provo, Utah

Employment

Sr. Technical Writer / Documentation & Translation Supervisor	(2007-Present)
SirsiDynix	Lehi, Utah
Document updates to existing library automation software. Improve design of software with agile scrum team. Lead scrum team to implement new cloud-based product using customer feedback to drive the design. Conduct usability tests for ERes (library reserve) software over phone and WebEx. Present findings and give suggestions for improvement. Provide design input for new iPhone library searching application. Develop video-based tutorials to enhance existing documentation. Work with teams in Utah, Alabama, Missouri, and Ontario (Canada). Train and oversee other writers and translators on team. Coordinate translation and localization, including TMs. Member of every development team at one point or another, but especially for the more complex and full-featured products (Symphony, Horizon, and Enterprise).

Adjunct Faculty	(2007-Present)
Utah Valley State College	Orem, Utah
Teaching introductory composition to college freshmen (Eng 1010, 2010, 2020). Coaching beginning college students on how to apply rhetorical principles to analyze texts as well as to create their own. Developed a coherent syllabus that takes students from neophytes to comfortable college-level writers. Taught Writing for Digital Media (DGM4000) to juniors and seniors.

Sr. Technical Writer	(2003-2007)
Digital Harbor	Provo, Utah
Redesigned and updated existing documentation to be more comprehensive and to aid navigation. Created status report application based on company's software, which gave me added insight into the holes in the existing documentation. Worked with a team in multiple locations to review and approve documentation in a timely and consistent manner. Learned to use Silk to run automated regression testing on new software builds. Implemented, designed, and maintained an internal documentation website. Provided guidance and content for new corporate style guide and templates. Edited existing JavaDocs for grammar and consistency, and made these changes to source code.

Technical Writer	(2003)
Captiva Software	Park City, Utah
Redesigned API information section of FormWare 5.0 documentation to make it easier to access and understand. Updated Scan module information in 5.0 documentation by working with Support and QA to get answers. Moved InvoicePack documentation to online format, including changing the organizational structure. Training other writers on writing skills such as editing, time management, usability, and process management.

Technical Writer/Usability/Team Lead	(2000 - 2002)
NextPage	Lehi, Utah
Developed style guide to help standardize documentation. Edited existing documentation using XML to conform to style guide. Helped maintain DTD. Developed new piece of documentation called Site Design. Generated HTML Help from XML source files. Maintained external documentation web site. Conducted some usability testing and user surveys to help improve the product. Developed an aggressive work plan to redesign existing documentation for usability.

President, CEO, Web Designer	(2000 - Present)
Garrigen Technologies	Eagle Mountain, Utah
Started web design company with my brother. We have designed and maintained several websites, including sites for Olympus Shepherds, the LTD Group, Success Connection, AJ Michaels, Cesar Osborn, Reinhart Stamminger, and Jennifer Kelsch (website links or archives available upon request).

Newspaper Columnist and Writer	(2001 - 2002)
Lake Mountain Interactive	Eagle Mountain, Utah
Developed and wrote a "Tech Relief" column for local newspaper. The column used humor and technical writing principles to explain technical (often computer-related) concepts to technical novices. Also wrote articles about various other subjects, including pest control and the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Software Engineer	(1998 - 2000)
IBM	Rochester, Minnesota
Designed two new wizards for new GUI function. Designed and coded two advisors using Java, JavaScript, and HTML for a product. Created online articles for new AS/400 function using SGML and HTML. Helped research and design Planning Guide for online delivery. Learned and used Adept SGML editor to source documents to HTML, Postscript, and Adobe PDF. Helped redesign Information Center web site. Conducted regular customer testing and evaluations of products.

Technical Writer (Contractor)	(1998)
Uinta Business Systems	Orem, Utah
Developed online Help system for client software using RoboHelp and Paint Shop Pro. Used Microsoft Project software to create time line, schedules, and plan documentation process. Met regularly with client to determine needs, do usability testing, and review progress. Worked independently and efficiently.

Composition Instructor	(1996 - 98)
Brigham Young University	Provo, Utah
Taught (Eng 115) college-level reading and writing. Designed new class syllabus instructing students in use of technology. Taught Technical Writing (Eng 316) to juniors and seniors for two semesters. Trained them in writing processes and appropriate technical communication.

Webmaster	(1997 - 1999)
Intermountain Health Network	Salt Lake City, Utah
Designed and implemented web site incorporating latest technology and design for online collaboration and information-sharing. Created user-friendly pages for computer novices.

Intranet Publisher Intern (Paid Position)	(1997)
Corel, Inc.	Orem, Utah
Helped design and setup new company intranet site. Created weekly online newsletter. Developed "Perfect Web Expert" for easy access to commonly asked questions.

Skills

Use Windows 95+, NT, WordPerfect 6+, Word 95+ Proficient with Corel Office Suite 6+, Microsoft Office Suite 95+ Expert user of RoboHelp Office, ArborText Epic Editor for XML and DTDs, Adept SGML Editor Intermediate user of FrameMaker, Ventura, Acrobat Comfortable with Draw 7+, Photoshop 6+, Paint Shop Pro 6+, Visio Usability Testing Web Design and Information Design (Thesis about Web Interface Design and Information Design) XML, HTML, Dynamic HTML, JavaScript, PHP, mySQL, ASP, and CSS Fluent in Dutch

Writing

Admitted to Orson Scott Card's intensive Writer's Bootcamp, August 2007. "Tech Relief" columns in Lake Mountain Interactive Newspaper, April 2001 - August 2002. Review of "Design by Numbers" in Information Design Journal, January 2001. "AS/400 Information Center Goes Interactive" in Midrange Computing magazine, December 2000. "Navigating the Maze of Logical Partitioning" in AS/400 Magazine, September 2000. "Getting to Know the New LPAR Work Sheet" in Midrange Computing magazine, August 2000.

Volunteering

Fraternal Order of Eagles	(2020)
Member, Chaplain	Pleasant Grove, Utah
Recently became a member of the FOE. Have already spent time helping with construction and with a canned food drive. Volunteered to be the Chaplain.

Boy Scouts of America	(2005 - 2015)
Cubmaster	Eagle Mountain, Utah
Volunteered my time to positively influence 8-11 year old boys in my area (through 2010). Responsible for planning and acting as MC for monthly Pack Meeting. Met regularly with other leaders to coordinate schedules, plan for activities, and track results. Train leaders at an area and region level on how to implement the program in their units.

Olympic Games Volunteer	(2001 - 2002)
Salt Lake Olympic Committee	Salt Lake City, Utah
Trained to work with the National Olympic and National Paralympic committees. During the Games, acted as helper, chauffeur, liaison, and translator for the committees, especially for the Dutch Paralympic team.

Webmaster	(2001-2002)
emutah.com	Eagle Mountain, Utah
Updated site with latest relevant information. Developed new section devoted to the newspaper columnists and their columns. Managed the user forums.

Assistant Editor	(1997-1998)
Impact: Journal of Technical Communication	Provo, Utah
Helped with selection of submissions for publication. Worked on source checking and editing.

Specialty Short Story Editor	(1995-1996)
Inscape Literary Journal	Provo, Utah
Helped with selection of submissions for publication. Worked with others on journal design and layout using Quark XPress. Proofread printer's copy.

Achievements

Performed as member of BYU Ballroom Dance Team (1993-1996) Brigham Young University Provo, UT Learned to work as a team, memorized new routines quickly, and gained greater confidence Graduated Valedictorian (1990) Arlington High School Riverside, CA GPA: 4.5 Awarded Eagle Scout (1986) Project: Coordinated and participated in Talent Show for a Convalescent Home

Workshops and Conferences

UPA's Annual Conference (2002) Usability Professionals Association Orlando, FL Learned about usability testing techniques, tools for usability testing, and how to calculate ROI on usability work. "Managing Projects for Speed" (2002) Celerity Consulting Lehi, UT Learned techniques for better project management by building cross-functional teams that focus on potential problems before they occur. STC's 48th Annual Conference (2001) Society for Technical Communication Chicago, IL Attended sessions on advanced writing topics, usability testing techniques, and information design principles. "Contextual Design" (2000) Incontext Enterprises Orem, UT Received instruction on customer-centered design, conducting interviews, analyzing data, and creating prototypes for testing and evaluation. "How to Design Usable Web Sites" (1998) Human Factors International, Inc. Minneapolis, MN Learned about user-interface design principles for the internet at two-day workshop STC's 45th Annual Conference (1998) Society for Technical Communication Ahaheim, CA Attended sessions on user-based design, web design, and developing online help

Hobbies and Interests

Reading, especially science-fiction and fantasy, but also Shakespeare Learning about anything having to do with the Netherlands (Delft blue, Tulips, Windmills) Using the Internet Doing ballroom dancing, especially Latin-style Playing team sports like Basketball, Softball, and Volleyball Endurance Races (Ironman-style events)

References

References available upon request