Resumé
An award-winning business , defense and technology journalist with both hands-on lab and field experience in evaluating technologies, IT products, and vendors, and implementing solutions to business problems.
a brief professional history:
IT Editor, Ars Technica (September 2011-present)
I’ve just started at Ars. I’ll get back to you with details later.
Freelance Technology Journalist/Analyst/Consultant (July 2007-present)
I have written for Web and print publications, providing breaking news coverage, news analysis, product reviews and reported feature stories. I write a blog on data center efficiency, virtualization and cloud computing technology in government, healthcare and education for Ziff Davis Enterprise. I was until February 2011 the primary contributor to TechGoesStrong, a consumer technology site from NBC Digital Networks site for 45-65 year olds. The other publications I’ve written for include C4ISR Journal, Defense Systems, eWEEK.com, TheChannelInsider.com, InfoWorld, Internetnews.com, Federal Computer Week, and Government Computer News.
In addition, I’ve written and edited white papers, edited academic texts, and produced custom content for a number of clients. I also have built websites and social media for several clients, including custom PHP development, WordPress and Moveable Type template coding and design, and interfaces to Twitter and other social media platforms.
As executive editor for Bisnow’s Tech editorial operations, I produce a daily HTML e-mail newsletter on technology in the Greater Washington, DC / Baltimore Metro area, and on the federal government tech marketplace. I attempt to inject levity, while maintaining high standards of business journalism in terms of conciseness and accuracy of content and relevance to my readers. Sometimes, it even works out that way.
Editor, Defense Systems,1105 Government Information Group (December 2007-February 2009)
I managed a monthly print publication and an internet news site for members of the Defense Department community involved in information technology and net-centric warfare, particularly C4ISR. I wrote in-depth features on topics ranging from software-defined radio to cyberwarfare, and maintained a weblog on defense issues. I took the publication through a major redesign, and an increase of frequency from six times a year to ten times a year, as the magazine’s only full-time editorial staff member.
Editorial Director, Channel Group, TechTarget (July 2006-July 2007)
I led the launch of a group of web media products targeted at technology resellers and consultants, managing a staff of 3 direct report editors and 6 reporters and copyeditors.
Director of IT Strategy, Executive Editor, Ziff Davis Media, Enterprise Group, (April 2004 – July 2006)
I managed the technical aspects of all Internet editorial products for the enterprise group, including the launching of new sites and services, adding new editorial and marketing features to existing sites, and integration of content between different Web platforms. I developed the underlying code to drive eWEEK’s new IT Hub and Watch home pages. I also was responsible for helping to develop Web 2.0 and multimedia offerings, and implementing search-engine optimization of all enterprise sites.
I managed editorial operations of eWEEK’s Topic Centers, and of Ziff’s other enterprise IT sites (Baseline, CIO Insight, Channel Insider, Security IT Hub, CIO Central, Publish, and PDFzone), including hiring and managing staff and freelance editors, guiding or directing editorial content, and managing the underlying web technology and presentation of the site.
I wrote columns and news articles for various Ziff publications and Web sites (including eWEEK, Publish.com, and Baseline), and a weblog for eWEEK entitled Buzzword/Compliant.
Technology Editor, Baseline Magazine, Ziff Davis Media (August 2001 – April 2004)
I wrote in-depth case studies of business IT projects, often without the cooperation of the subject companies. I advised the editor-in-chief on all technical content of the publication, and consulted with other staff members on their articles, providing technical detail on the sofware and systems involved in their stories. I researched the finances of subject companies and their market peers to baseline their performance and attempt to determine the effectiveness of their IT investments.
I also wrote a recurring column on IT strategy, and single-page tutorials on emerging technologies to help executives determine whether they should consider adopting them. And I advised the editor-in-chief on the development of story ideas and new technical elements for case studies.
While at Baseline, I received a Jesse H. Neal National Business Journalism Award for my work on recurring features, and American Society of Business Publication Editors Gold and Silver awards for my case study work.
Editorial Director, Enterprise Publications, Fawcette Technical Publications, Inc. July 1999 – August 2001
I managed three print publications for software developers and architects (Java Pro, XML Magazine, and Enterprise Development), a custom content stream for IBM’s DeveloperWorks and Lotus Developer Network, conference tracks on Java and XML, and ancillary events and special publications. I wrote articles and columns, managed and trained staff, directed redesigns on two print publications, and developed editorial operational procedures. I also evangelized for the publications I was in charge of to vendors, accompanying the vice president of publishing on executive-level sales calls.
Managing Editor, Labs. InformationWeek (September 1994 – July 1999)
I managed the operations of InformationWeek’s product review labs, and wrote and/or edited all reviews, technical analysis features, technical sidebars to feature stories, and opinion columns. I worked with the managing editor and news editor to assure the technical accuracy of all news stories, spoke at conferences, moderated panels, and built relationships with outside testing labs.
Associate Editor, Technology, Government Computer News. September 1992-September 1994
I built GCN’s review lab, and reviewed application development and database tools, networking hardware, servers and operating systems. I also served as the software beat reporter, and served briefly as the network administrator and on-site IT director, overseeing the publication’s migration to digital production.
Engineering Task Manager, CBIS Federal, December 1991-September 1992
I oversaw installation and management of a campus network and related software and hardware at the Army Test Center at Aberdeen Proving Grounds, and conducted site surveys for prospective contracts and provided other consulting services.
Other related previous experience:
- Freelance technology journalist and consultant (1990-1991)
- Officer, US Navy (1986-1990) — IT project manager, computer security officer, intelligence officer, command security manager.