Professional Summary
Over a decade experience as a publications and training director, instructional designer, technical writer, small business owner, and computer software trainer with demonstrated proficiency in:
* Translating business requirements into effective documentation and training programs
* Developing global education curriculum for employees, customers, resellers and distributors
* Implementing business processes to improve quality and increase resource utilization
* Communicating with decision makers, vendors, peers, and clients
* Implementing cross-departmental business plans
* Managing projects and people to consistent, timely delivery of product
Core Competencies
Product and Program Management: Project management, strategic planning,partner relations, software product lifecycle, technical writing, training, multiple software development models
Resource Management: Budgeting, employee development, resource allocation, team building, employee lifecycle
Training: Operating systems, end-user applications, network security, project and program management, proprietary CRM and IT infrastructure applications
Technical Writing: Controlled authoring, standardized English, content management systems, documentation project management
Achievements
Creative Thinker
-
Recognized the value of a controlled authoring program heretofore used only in airline manufacturing and successfully migrated the process to software documentation development.
-
Planned and implemented a global customer training program for a high-tech software security company.
-
Designed custom software training programs for Fortune 1000 clients. Increased the usability and success factor of internally developed applications.
-
Addressed international customer requirement for improved documentation and training usability by implementing a simplified English program. Resulting publications are 20% shorter and take approximately half the time and cost to translate.
Problem Solver
-
Consolidated publications under one manager and enforced organizational discipline in a level zero (CMM)software development company. Documentation approval ratings went from 78% dissatisfied to 95% satisfied customers calling Technical Support.
-
Developed timeline, scheduled event space, and monitored registration and attendance for national Sales training program. Program came in under budget and with 97% attendance rate.
-
Developed and implemented a three-year budget for a not-for-profit advocacy organization. Positive balance sheet maintained while meeting program goals throughout tenure.
-
Evaluated billing methodology used by solo medical practice and identified ways to improve collections through improvements in technology, staffing, process, and work flow. Revenues increased quarter over quarter 45%.
Charismatic Leader
-
Directed a customer-focused, highly motivated team of technical writers, trainers and Web developers in the creation of complete Sales and technical education program. Certification program now strategic component of international Sales efforts.
-
Coordinated project and program managers in the creation of planning documentation templates. Subsequent adoption significantly raised organizational maturity, improving planning and project predictability.
-
Mentored subcontractors in the software training and development field. Several individuals went on to establish their own successful consulting businesses.
Bridge Builder
-
Developed application courseware for end-users unfamiliar with computers. Courseware approval ratings increased dramatically.
-
Translated legal counsel data requirements into specific material requests for their clients. Reduced legal bills by over 10% by reducing the volume of material requests as well as billable paralegal and associate time.
Idea Promoter
-
Recruited resellers into a certified training partner program. By the end of the first year the program included 70 trainers operating out of 50 resellers in 23 countries.
-
Interacted daily with customers as a representative of a national software training firm. Enhanced corporate image of the training firm as well as increased sales for non-customized courses.
-
Coordinated subject matter experts in four countries in the development of a seminar series. Final product received accolades from business units for its high degree of usability and applicability.
Work Experience
Business Manager
Eye Craft PLLC, Burien, WA
Reorganized a private ophthalmological practice to maximize efficiencies in billing, payables, and patient management while maintaining a high level of patient care. We are currently setting our mission as one which focuses on the experience of the patient -- their comfort, their health, and their privacy. 2005 - present
Director, Training & Publications
WatchGuard Technologies, Seattle, WA
Built a training organization from two trainers in marketing to a world-wide training partner program with 70 partners in 23 countries. Certification program used as a key element in building and sustaining channel relationships. Continued to own the responsibilities listed in publications position detailed below. 2000 - 2005
Manager, Technical Publications
WatchGuard Technologies, Seattle, WA
Consolidated publications under one manager and enforced organizational discipline in a level zero (CMM) software development company. Documentation approval ratings went from 78% dissatisfied to 95% satisfied customers calling Technical Support. 1999 – 2000
Writer
Microsoft Press (Contract Position)
Principle author for end-user instructional guide on how to use Microsoft Windows 98. Resulting book was a volume in the highly successful Microsoft Press Step by Step series. 1998
Analyst
Law & Economics Consulting Group (Contract Position)
Gathered billing information into machine readable formats. On behalf of clients, conducted statistical analysis of resulting data to provide evidence for multiple law suits. 1996 - 1998
Trainer & Courseware Developer
Catapult Software Training (Contract Position)
Pioneered custom courseware development for proprietary applications as a way to drive increased sales of standard, packaged courseware. This effort contributed to our office achieving the highest quarter-over-quarter improvement in Sales volume two years running. 1994 - 1999
Technical Writer, Trainer, Consultant
KTC Consulting
Independent contractor working in the software support industry. Principle clients included Microsoft Press, Catapult Software Training, Dupont, FMC, Elf Atochem, West Coast Entertainment, LECG, and Radio Direct Response. Services provided ranged from database and statistical analysis to instructional design and courseware development. 1993 - 1999
Support Consultant
Center for Social Science Computation & Research, University of Washington
Delivered customer support services for faculty and graduate students of the social sciences. Our charter was to provide assistance on any platform, any application. 1991 - 1993
Administrative Officer
American Forest Resource Alliance
1988 - 1991
Education
Master of Public Administration
University of Washington, Seattle 1993
Bachelor of Arts, Political Economy
University of California, Berkeley 1988