Resume
OBJECTIVE
To use my extensive cross-media experience to create innovative opportunities for audience participation and growth.
QUALIFICATIONS
I am currently the Director of Interactive Media for The Detroit News where I lead efforts to enhance the digital delivery of news and information. Previously, I served as the Associate Managing Editor for Multimedia for the Chicago Tribune, managing the newspaper’s convergence efforts online and in television. My charge is to help newspapers reach new audiences in new ways. To accomplish this, it has been necessary to step outside the culture of the newsroom and envision a news operation that is customer-centric in its philosophy and platform independent in its delivery. My experience as a photographer and photo editor has given me an understanding of visual story telling: how to craft compelling non-text narratives that will engage readers and users.
During my career I have managed teams and departments from five to 65 employees. With every team that I have led, I created an environment that allowed individuals to develop new skills and to participate fully in the direction of the department.
MILESTONES
2007-2008 - I brokered a co-production partnership between the Chicago Tribune and
Kartemquin Films that resulted in the award winning documentary, At the Death House
Door. The film is a compelling, emotional documentary based on the Tribune’s investiga-
tive reporting about the wrongful execution of Carlos DeLuna.
2007 NAA Digital Edge award - Most Innovative Multimedia Storytelling: A Tank of
Gas, A World of Trouble, which took users on an oil safari with video and other multi-
media elements illustrating the declining world oil supply. The multimedia project, which
I managed, took the innovative approach of tracking the gas sold at a suburban gas sta-
tion back to its sources at conflict zones around the world. Go to the oil project
2006 Online News Association award for Service Journalism: The Mercury Menace. This interactive web presentation examined how toxic mercury entered the food chain through large fish. The site featured an interactive mercury calculator that allowed users to enter their weight to calculate the amount of different types of fish that could be safely consumed. Go to the mercury project
2004-2005 Chicago/Midwest Emmy for Outstanding Achievement for Documentary Pro-
grams – Documentary of Historic Significance. The City’s Pastime was a one-hour docu-
mentary that explored the rich history of baseball in Chicago. The program, which was
shot and edited by my video production team, aired on cable and public television.
2002 - When Evil Struck America was packaged as a CD-ROM time capsule distrib-
uted to more than 1 million subscribers on the first anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001,
World Trade Center attacks. Interactive and easy to navigate, it boosted single-day street
sales of the newspaper by 100,000. I was responsible for the project’s conceptualization
and management of the design, production and distribution.
EMPLOYMENT
The Detroit News, Director of Interactive Media (currently) Leading efforts to enhance the digital delivery of news and information online and through mobile devices.
Chicago Tribune, A.M.E. Multimedia (1999— 2008) Served as a liaison between the print, broadcast and the Internet, facilitating the development of stories across these different media.
Chicago Tribune, A.M.E. Photography (1993— 1999) Responsible for a staff of 65, which included photographers, photo editors and lab support staff, as well as planning and budgetary responsibility.
Chicago Tribune, Assistant Photo Editor (1991— 1993) Responsible for the photo
content of sports, Metro and features newspaper sections and contracting and managing of freelance photographers.
TEACHING AND LECTURING
Throughout my career, I have lectured nationally and internationally on multimedia, newsroom convergence and audience engagement, as well as mentoring students and professionals. Recent engagements include:
- Speaker, University of Missouri School of Journalism’s 2009 Sino-U.S. Advanced Convergence Journalism Training Session in Foshan, China
- Featured speaker, 2008 China Convergence Summit at Nanjing University and the 2008 Advanced Media Research Seminar in Guangzhou, China
- Hearst Visiting Professional, Arizona State University’s Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication, 2009
- Multimedia coach, Northwestern University’s Media Management Project, 2008
- Visiting faculty, Poynter Leadership for Online Editors seminar, 2005
- Featured presenter, Congreso Periodismo Digital 2.0, Venezuela, 2005
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
- Founding board member, Knight-Batten Awards for Innovations in Journalism.
- Lifetime member and former board member, National Association of Hispanic Journalists.
- Former board member, Online News Association.
- Former board member, Street Level Youth Media.
EDUCATION
BA Mass Communication, Pepperdine University (1974—1978)
REFERENCES
Upon request
