After 10 years in the news business, preceded by 10 years in the insurance business,
I can pretty much say, "I've done it all!" Nevertheless, I continue to be astounded by stories of human tragedies, follies and triumphs. I will always be inspired by tales of success in the face of adversity. And I hope always to be incensed by stories of needless human suffering.

After analyzing main-frame computer systems and training administrative staff at a major insurance company, I followed my father's and great-grandfather's (and uncles' and mother's) footsteps into the news business, where I assisted in or was completely responsible for the publication of daily and weekly newspapers. I've also graduated from the Citizens Police Academy, trained with a local fire department, maintained a Web site for a local broadcast news station and run two separate businesses, one of which was my own. I possess a diverse assortment of skills and experience that will benefit any news operation in a large variety of ways. Please be sure to check out my writing, design and layout samples.

• Thorough researcher committed to truth and accuracy in reporting.
• Ability to draw readers into a story and keep them reading with thought-provoking leads and eye-catching headlines.
• Meticulous editor with a flair for spinning weak leads into attention-grabbing stories.
• Talented graphic designer with skills ranging from professional page layout to advertising design.
• Proficient with various print and web publication software for both the Windows and Macintosh platforms, including Word, Photoshop, InDesign, Quark Xpress,  Expression Web, FrontPage, and others.

Freelance Designer   ●   Cape Coral, Florida

► Owned and operated my own freelance design business  ●  November 2006 to Current

• Complete editorial responsibility for production of WINK News Hurricane Survival Guide for 2007 and 2008, as well as several WINK print ads that appeared in the Fort Myers News-Press.
• Designed logos, display ads, and Web sites for private clients.
• Developed several Excel spreadsheets to track project times, expenses and accounts.

WINK News   ●   Fort Myers, Florida

► Coordinator of Web Services  ●  April 2005 to November 2006

• Complete responsibility for news and advertising content on WINKTV.com. (now WINKNEWS.com)
• Write and post news stories to Web site utilizing Web-based subscription content management system.
• Design small ads and other graphic links for use on the WINKTV.com (now WINKNEWS.com) Web site.
• Build and maintain special sections on the Web site, such as hurricane preparedness information.
• Write and edit copy for annual WINK-TV Hurricane Guide magazine, distributed to more than 100,000 Southwest Florida households.

Breeze Newspapers  ●  Cape Coral, Florida

► Editor, "The Fort Myers Beach Observer"  ●  February 2004 to April 2005

• Produce weekly newspaper for Fort Myers Beach. Supervise staff of two reporters and one staff photographer, as well as several freelance writers.
• Develop story ideas and assign reporters, research facts, write stories, take photos, edit copy, lay out pages, write headlines, coordinate staffing from several sister newspapers for production of special sections.

Journal Register Co. ●  Trenton, New Jersey

► Editor, "The Coventry Courier," Coventry, R.I.  ●  November 1998 to March 2003

• Same responsibilities as above, for weekly newspaper serving town of 40,000.
• Six-month temporary assignment as managing editor of the Kent County Daily Times upon its acquisition by the Journal Register Company in August 2000.

► News Editor, "The Pawtucket Times," Pawtucket, R.I.  ●   November 1997 to November 1998

• Responsible for news content of daily newspaper covering six northern RI communities.
• Supervised staff of seven reporters, two photographers, and several freelance writers.
• Developed story ideas and assigned reporters, edited copy for length and accuracy on deadline, wrote headlines and determined story placement.
• Laid out pages and color-corrected photos.

► Deputy Managing Editor, "The Kent County Times," West Warwick , R.I.  ●  Jan. 1996 to June 1997

• Assisted in publication of daily newspaper covering two Rhode Island communities.

• Developed, designed, wrote and edited WINK News Hurricane Survival Guide 2007 and 2008 as a freelance contractor.
• Maintained freelance graphic design business for two years, as well as my husband's business as a musical performer.
• Self-taught Web designer has built the following completely customized informational Web sites:

  www.smokinbill.com
  

www.quintessentmusic.com
www.billrountree.net
www.tammyzink.com
www.diamondtouchfinishes.net

• Special Award for Excellence in Hurricane Reporting, Florida Press Association, 2004
• First Place, General News,
  New England Press Association, 2002
• Second Place, Editorial Writer,
  Rhode Island  Press Association, 2002
• Third Place, Editorial Writer,
  New England Press Association, 2001
• Honorable Mention, Editorial Writer, Rhode Island Press Association, 2001

• Rhode Island College

Communications Major