Gallery

Skills and Recent Achievements

• Developed Basis of Estimate (BOE) based upon metrics of related project. Compared to engineers’ BOEs, mine was “the most complete…,” according to the program manager and was a “good analysis, good approach, good work,” according to the L-3 Unmanned Systems VP of Unmanned Aerial Systems.
• Created original template in MS Word (2007), with a strict styles palette including six levels of auto-numbered headings, sequentially numbered procedural steps (that do not break) using ListNum fields, warnings, cautions, notes, auto-updating fields (cross references, page numbers, captions), table and figure captions, an auto-updating table of contents, and an auto-updating index.
• Compiled usage references for standardizing capitalization, syntax, proprietary terms, abbreviations, acronyms. Wrote technical writing standards and quick references, including a wiki and various style guides.

Notable Recent Experience

Technical Writer, L-3 Unmanned Systems, Carrollton, TX, Feb. 2010 — Present
Revised content and layout of suite of seven manuals averaging 300 pgs. each in a few months

• Managed collaborative technical content of about 30 engineers
• Coordinated technical submissions of five Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) to create about 80 lesson plans in about four weeks

Freelance Writer/Illustrator, ContentAscent.com, Arlington, TX, Jul. 2008 — Feb. 2010

• Produced about 30 proposals with exacting grammar for industry standard -compliant publications requiring proficiency in FileMaker, Word, and XHTML and CSS
• Created original web site copy and illustrations for six clients, including the Museum of Flight Store and six others (non aviation-related).
• Translated approximately 30,000 word Brazilian aviation regulation from Portuguese into English for DeCrane Aerospace
• Created library of about 40 safety quick-references with original line drawings and text for drilling company
• Completed editing, writing, illustrating, and page layout projects for three other clients, including approximately 600 page project for The AES Corporation.

Reviews

Here are samplings of a recent (and a few not so recent) verbatim quotes of managers, engineers, and other SMEs. Many more such written commendations are available.

“Great work. Thank you.”

“Good analysis, good approach, good work.”

“Thanks for the long hard hours… for all the hard work!”

“Great job! …Thank you for cooperating in such a detailed and rapid fashion. Excellent work”

“Very impressed. Everyone really liked the work you did.”

“I felt much confidence by having you with me on my journey conquering the Stanford application.”

“I was very impressed with not only your writing skills, but also your experience with and in a multitude of areas.”

Less Recent Experience

Technical Writer, Miller Consulting Services, Irving, TX, Jul 2006 — Oct. 2007

Trilingual (English/Portuguese/Spanish) Support Analyst, Textron Corp., Irving, TX (outsourced through CSC), Jul. 2006 — Oct. 2007

Contract Technical Writer, Garden of Life, Palm Beach Gardens, FL, Feb. 2003 — Oct. 2004

Technical Writer/Illustrator, East-West Technology (now Stork), Jupiter, FL, Jan. 2003 — Oct. 2004

• Using MS Word, Access, & VBA, created documentation rapid retrieval and generation system, which reduced errors and processing time.
• ISO/IEC and A2LA -certified test lab with notable clients that included Lockheed Martin, GE Aircraft Engines, Bell Helicopter, Hamilton Sundstrand, Boeing.
• Commendations available.

Technical Writer, The Wackenhut Corp., Palm Beach Gardens, FL, May 1998 — Jul. 2002

Information Developer (RoboHelp Help Author) for Via-Voice Voice Recognition Software, IBM, Sept. 1997 — May 1998

Proposal Manager, G2 Resources (now defunct), N. Palm Beach, FL, May 1996 — Sept. 1997

Technical Writer/Illustrator (supervisor), Sperry-Sun Drilling Services, Houston, TX, Aug. 1991 — Apr. 1996

Trinity Temporary Services, Arlington, TX Jun. 1990 — May 1991

Technical Writer, Rediffusion Simulation, Inc. (Now Link), Arlington, TX, Nov. 1987 — Jun. 1990

Services

Channels

Hot-button copy writing based on can’t-fail emotions that get responses, for example, fear, greed, guilt, anger, exclusivity, salvation, and flattery. Applying the knowledge of master copywriter living legend Herschell Gordon Lewis.

• eMail marketing with Mail Chimp
• Live phone, 1-1/2 years experience as Textron technical support analyst, speaking English, Spanish, and Portuguese (commendations available)
• Direct mail (elaborate multi-colored layouts)
• Simple messaging, Facebook, Twitter

Platforms

• Mobile
• Windows 7, Vista, and XP
• Mac OSX

SEO-centric Code

• XHTML
• CSS
• PHP (hacking)

Programs

• MS Office Suite (2007), including PowerPoint, Access, Visio, Project,
• Adobe Photoshop (CS2), FileMaker (10), InDesign (CS3), Illustrator (CS3), Dreamweaver (CS3)
• CorelDraw
• Sun Microsystems Open Office Suite
• Open Source GIMP, Blender, Inkscape

Languages Other Than English

• Spanish (married almost 24 years into native Mexican family)
• Portuguese (speaking, reading, and writing for six years)

Education and Training

Bachelor of Arts in Technical Writing, May 1987, Louisiana Tech University, Ruston, LA

Certificates in Visual Basic, Flash Advanced, Lotus Domino, May 1999 — May 2001, New Horizons Computer Learning Center, SunTech3, and Workgroup Connections, Orlando, FL

Private Pilot License, Mar. 1987, Louisiana Tech University, Ruston, LA