2004-2007: Denver Water, Denver, CO. Fulltime Contractor, Webmaster.
Responsibilities:
- Optimize web site (HTML, graphics, and PDFs) for load speed.
- Implement Search Engine Optimization.
- Write general interest pieces and white papers.
- Provide editorial assistance to subject matter experts.
Accomplishments:
- Doubled visits to the web site in first year.
- Reduced average document sizes (and load times) by 50%.
- Wrote centennial brochure, Cheesman Dam: A Century of Service.
- Improved working relationship with technical departments.
Note: From 2001-2004 I was self-employed as an information design consultant.
2000-2001: DNA Media, Inc. Vancouver, BC, Canada. Vice President of Production Technology (Acting Operations Manager).
Note: Unable to survive the new economy, DNA Media closed its doors on April 30.
Responsibilities:
- Establish U.S. presence for DNA Media by opening, staffing, and managing a Boulder office.
- Lead Research and Development efforts such as ITS, Open Glossary, and content management and eTraining initiatives.
- Rationalize operations to improve efficiency, document processes, and ensure predictable, repeatable results.
Accomplishments:
- Fostered new office culture based on personal empowerment and delegation of decision-making, responsible management, clear definitions of roles, and scalable processes.
- Initiated documentation reviews, supervised the development of guidelines and checklists, provided mentoring to project and department managers.
- Trained the sales and management teams to bid, hand off, and collaborate on projects, thus ensuring recognition of mutual goals and tempering the adversarial relationship spawned by sales and production priorities.
1998-2000: Sykes Enterprises, Inc. Boulder, Colorado. Operations Manager, Localization.
Responsibilities:
- Rationalize operations to improve efficiency, document processes, and position Sykes as a major player in the localization industry.
- Review bids and proposals for clarity and feasibility; train department managers and project managers to scope and bid projects accurately and effectively.
- Hire managerial staff, supervise interviewing and hiring of operations staff, review performance of managerial staff.
- Coordinate activities of multiple international offices.
Accomplishments:
- Developed business culture rewarding accountability and promoting empowerment, to improve staff morale and create pride and a sense of responsibility.
- Supported Quality Improvement Teams (QIT) and process documentation teams (PACE) to formalize processes with staff buy-in.
- Took the office from a norm of late, mediocre deliveries to a level of excellence that restored relationships with two major clients representing 60% of our business.
- In recognition of these accomplishments, named Director of International Operations in November, 2000, with supervisory role over offices in Boise, Idaho; Edinburgh, Scotland; and Leuven, Belgium.
1997-1998: International Translation & Publishing [ITP]. Boise, Idaho. Senior Project Manager, Hewlett Packard Projects.
Responsibilities:
- Provide on-site coordination for two million dollars in projects and contracts with Hewlett Packard.
- Manage client interface for bids, scope and review bids, advise Dublin office on pricing, scopes, and client issues.
- Serve as technical interface to client, determine escalation points on engineering issues.
Accomplishments:
- Rebuilt disintegrating client relationship.
- Improved competitive bidding.
- Helped develop new methods for bidding complex projects.
1987-1997: ALPNET, International. Salt Lake City, Utah. Technical Director, Software Localization.
Responsibilities:
- Evaluate feasibility of translating software packages on a variety of computer platforms, ranging from mainframe legacy software to new Windows and Macintosh projects.
- Provide training services and detailed instructional materials for sales, project management, translation, DTP and MIS staff, as well as to the international translation network; provide editorial assistance to sales.
- Develop presentations on globalization, localization, and translation to support translation marketing and as a separate, independent service to clients.
Accomplishments:
- As U.S. Production Manager (1990-1992):
- Turned around operations, converting a $5,000/month loss into revenue of $50,000/month.
- Supervised contract work of 100-plus freelance translators and a staff of document formatters, producing a monthly volume of about 130,000 translated words in English and a dozen European languages.
- Administered LAN systems, managed subcontractors, purchased capital equipment, designed, developed, and tested software products and documentation.
- As Senior Technical Production Advisor (1992-1994) served production centers in the U.S., U.K., France, Germany, Spain, and the Pacific Rim. Provided troubleshooting assistance and consulting services with a focus on software translations, production problems, and information management.
- As Software Localization Manager (1994-1996) analyzed, bid, oversaw multi-language translation projects with software or online documentation requirements. Hired, trained, and supervised freelance and contract employees. Provided training in software enablement to clients and potential clients as well as staff.
1970-1987 Professor of English, teaching writing and literature at Southern Methodist University, Texas Christian University, Weber State College, and the University of North Dakota. Freelance writer.
Major Consulting/Freelance Jobs
Web Site Management, Denver Water, 2004-2007.
Web Site Consultation, Redesign, and Training, Denver Water Board, 1996.
Writing Workshop for Environmental Engineers, Montgomery-Watson Americas, Inc., 1991, 1994, 1995.
Faculty Computer Instruction, Dedman College, SMU, Spring 1984 & 1985, Fall 1986.
Consultant, a.l.p. Systems (ALPNET), MacProof, 1983-84.
Copy Editor, Utah Holiday, 1981-82.
Freelance Writer and Editor, 1977-1983.
Visiting Lecturer, NEH Midwestern Center, 1974.
[Complete publication bibliography]
[References available on request.]