My writing, editing and leadership abilities encompass traditional and new media, journalism and public relations. In retirement, I am focusing on climate change reporting, creative writing and photography. I honed my communication skills as a young editor at the Idaho Statesman (Boise) and Spokesman-Review (Spokane). At both regional newspapers, I led creative teams in competitive environments with daily deadlines. I had six different newsroom management titles by my mid-30s. Then I returned to reporting so I could satisfy the urge to write. It became my job to understand enough about human nature that people would share their thoughts and expertise with me. I needed them to help me unravel complex social, economic and environmental issues. (Or simply reveal some nuggets of humanity.) The downsizing of the news business led me to nonprofit communications. From 2014 through 2018, I was marketing and web services manager for Sno-Isle Libraries, an exceptional library district. During the previous decade, I was director of communications for the Joan B. Kroc Institute for Peace Studies at the University of Notre Dame, then the Washington State University College of Education. Thanks to Boocoo Dinky Dow: My short, crazy Vietnam War, which I co-authored, I am keenly aware of veterans' needs. I hold bachelor's and master's degrees in communications from Southern Illinois University and Ohio State University, respectively. My goal is to keep learning. That's the first task of anyone with a story to tell. |
I’m new wave but I’m old school, and my inner child is outward bound. I’m a hot wired heat seeking warm hearted cool customer. -- George Carlin