OWNER & FOUNDER

Power Lit Communications is a sole proprietorship based in San Antonio, TX of which I am the founder. Power Lit provides graphic design, Web design and development, editing, photography and marketing services.

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Provided editor-in-chief services as contractor for the weekly community newspaper that served the African-American community of San Antonio. Was responsible for implementing the editorial direction and tone of the Snap News. Generated and approved story and column ideas and concepts. Copy edited pieces submitted for publication. Provided layout services for the newspaper. Conducted interviews with various newsmakers, public officials and community leaders.

NOTEWORTHY ACCOMPLISHMENT: Directed comprehensive coverage of the 2005 Texas Constitutional
Amendment elections. Was commended by State Rep. Ruth Jones McClendon (D-San Antonio)
for the balanced and accurate coverage of the numerous Constitutional issues up for
voters' decision.

EDITOR & PUBLISHER

Published and edited weekly community newspaper for the African-American population of San Antonio. Provided coverage and information regarding economic development, health and fitness and education. It was a one-man operation with me doing reporting, photography, editing, advertising sales, layout and design and negotiating with commercial printers to acquire the best pricing for printing of the newspaper.

NOTEWORTHY ACCOMPLISHMENT: Provided coverage that led to the cleanup of a vacant lot next to an elementary school and and apartment complex that had become a dumping ground containing toxic materials. Tracked down and interviews the absentee owner of the lot through tax records. Also interviewed county and city officials to determine what action would be taken to resolve the problem.

WEB DESIGNER/DEVELOPER

Designed and developed a dynamic Web site for the Crownwood Homeowners and Residents Neighborhood Association. Developed using the Joomla open source content management system. Functionality included front-end and back-end content management; secure registration with Captcha and email confirmation for security; secure user log in; forum message board for registered users with moderator capabilities; social network capability; commenting allowed in articles articles; rotating banner ads; control of user level of access; front page photo gallery, and much more.

NOTEWORTHY ACCOMPLISHMENT: Integrated the county sex offender database directly from the county website into MyCrownwood.com.

SENIOR CONTRACT GRAPHIC DESIGNER/WEB ADMINISTRATOR

Responsible for designing marketing and promotional collateral including posters, flyers, brochures, magazine and newspaper ads. Work closely with marketing executives to fine tune concepts, designs and content. Responsible for rebranding of the corporate library of white papers, sample reports, technical reports and Pearson Web site content. Responsible for updating and administering Web site content via back-end content management system. Created and edited HTML documents to be Internet standards compliant. Optimize graphics and images for posting on Pearson Web site.

ASSISTANT PRODUCTION MANAGER - EDITORIAL DESIGN

Responsible for designing marketing and promotional collateral including posters, flyers, brochures, magazine and newspaper ads. Work closely with marketing executives to fine tune concepts, designs and content. Responsible for rebranding of the corporate library of white papers, sample reports, technical reports and Pearson Web site content. Responsible for updating and administering Web site content via back-end content management system. Created and edited HTML documents to be Internet standards compliant. Optimize graphics and images for posting on Pearson Web site.

*Resigned due to family medical emergency

SENIOR EDITORIAL DESIGNER

Responsible for design and production of five weekly publications. Worked closely with editors and reporters regarding content and design. Provided design direction and advice to design staff. Delegated duties and tasks to staff designers. Supervised freelance designers. Consulted with press operators regarding separation and output issues.

FEATURES DESIGNER

Produced two 28-page weekly entertainment tabs in addition to daily features section covers under tight deadline pressure. Coordinated with editors, reporters, photographers and pre-press. Organized brainstorming and planning sessions with editors, copy writers, reporters and photographers regarding layout and design.

ONLINE NEWS EDITOR

Produced, posted and managed MySA.com news, entertainment and sports sections on behalf of the San Antonio Express-News. Made decisions, on deadline, regarding content layout, prominence and positioning of content. Scanned wires for content updates. Updated site with breaking news. Produced content packages, including Flash animations to accompany feature articles on web site. Made extensive use of javascript and hand-coded HTML. Optimized the process of online graphic element production between departments.

ART DIRECTOR

Managed and directed client print-advertising and online presence. Responsible for conceptualizing and producing layout and design for corporate identity, point-of-purchase displays, and internet-related marketing material. Duties included project management of retail showroom interior/exterior graphic-identity development and execution. Conducted media analysis to determine effectiveness of marketing efforts across demographics and media channels.

MANAGING EDITOR

Responsible for managing Blinc magazine day-to-day editorial operations. Duties included but were not limited to hiring and managing writers; determining advanced editorial calendar; editing copy for structure, grammar and adherence to style; communicating with print service providers; working closely with design, photography and promotions departments; assigning stories to writers, conducting interviews and writing articles.

ART DIRECTOR

Began as graphic artist responsible for producing news graphics and promotional graphic projects. Implemented bidding procedures for various print projects such as the Traveling Texas tourist guide and community events such as The Kids Fair. Promoted to Art Director and took over duties of conceptualizing and producing KABB overall graphic direction and character. Managed production of promotional broadcast and print material. Directed $250,000-upgrade of graphic department equipment.