Mechanical Engineer Account Executive

MARK P. SKAER

** ******* **** ***** . **********, Illinois 62221

618-***-**** (home) . 248-***-**** (cell) . ****.*****@****.***

COMMUNICATIONS / COPYWRITER / EDITOR / SPECIALIST

Award-winning journalist with more than 10 years of editorial management

experience. Adept at increasing trade magazine subscriptions by as much as

25 percent through exemplary design and editorial direction. Skilled writer

with a proven history of creating compelling articles through innovative

idea brainstorming, excellent research skills and high-impact writing.

Accomplished career history also includes time spent as a PR and

advertising copywriter. Areas of expertise:

Promotion . Company Profiles . Feature Writing . Press Releases .

Copywriter . Newsletters

Marketing and Advertising Collateral . Brochures . Public Speaking

Presentations . Online Content

Microsoft Office Suites . Layout . Budget Management . Meeting

Deadlines . Sharp Editing

MOST RECENT PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE, 1993-2011

BNP MEDIA, Troy, Michigan . 1993-2009

Business-to-business publisher with 40 titles and 300 employees.

Senior Editor, The Air Conditioning, Heating and Refrigeration News (2004-

2009)

Provided the heating and cooling contractor industry with news, profiles,

training features, and event-show coverage, generating editorial content in

a high-paced, weekly deadline-driven environment. Forged strategic

relationships with major manufacturers, foundations and contractors to

determine key industry trends, educational opportunities and to secure

exclusive articles; utilized information to develop a high-impact, highly

sellable editorial calendar. Covered industry-related events. Traveled to

contractor facilities around the U.S. for profile article interviews.

Edited and proofread content prior to going to press.

Key Contributions:

* Recognized with a Silver Award, Features, in the 2007 American Society of

Business Publication Editors National Awards competition.

* Orchestrated an educational seminar for the industry's leading

exposition, assembling training experts from leading businesses.

* Pinpointed industry need for more training information; leveraged

findings to spearhead and establish a monthly "learning center" section, as

well as a regular monthly article on training.

* Directed comprehensive "best instructor" contest involving contractors

nationwide.

Editor-In-Chief, The Air Conditioning, Heating and Refrigeration News (1999-

2004)

Delivered editorial leadership over the content development and production

of a weekly trade magazine, maintaining its reputation as the leading

industry trade publication. Directed an 8-person editorial team, in

addition to a group of freelance writers, to deliver compelling stories by

deadline. Reported on trade events. Oversaw production of supplemental and

specialty issues.

Key Contributions:

* Realized a 25 percent increase in subscriptions after overhauling

editorial and design infrastructure to ramp up magazine image and

strengthen coverage.

* Increased online presence by spearheading establishment of online-

exclusive portal.

* Effectively directed production of the magazines largest-ever issue of

130+ pages.

* Improved internal communication by initiating a weekly editorial planning

session.

Editor (1995-1999)

Managed a team of staff members and freelance writers to prepare, create

and produce a monthly trade journal read by engineers and mechanical

contractors related to the non-residential heating and cooling equipment

industry. Collaborated with publisher, editorial team and production team

to increase efficiency and boost performance.

Key Contributions:

* Received multiple corporate awards related to layout and article writing,

including: Best Graphic Treatment, Best News or Feature Story, President's

Award, Best Technical Article.

* Honored with three national awards: Gold, News Story, American Society of

Business Publication Editors; Silver, Regular Column, Regular Department,

Front Cover, American Society of Business Editors; and Bronze, Best Re-

Design, Trade Publication from Folio Magazine.

* Enhanced credibility of publication by hiring a mechanical engineer as a

full-time contributor.

* Established order and accountability to magazine with a previous

reputation of missing deadlines; consistently met all production deadlines.

Associate Editor (1993-1995)

Supported editorial mission of two trade publications: Engineered Systems

and Air Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration News. Researched story

ideas, interviewed experts and wrote articles. Pinpointed new story ideas

by gaining understanding of industry. Awarded with Best Technical Article

in-house award.

SOUTHWESTERN ILLINOIS COLLEGE, Belleville, IL (Current)

MCKENDREE UNIVERSITY, Lebanon, IL (Current)

LINDENWOOD UNIVERSITY, Belleville, IL (Current)

Adjunct English, Journalism, and Business Communications instructor.

SUMMARY OF ADDITIONAL PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE, 1976-1993

PRESS & GUIDE NEWSPAPERS, Dearborn, MI (1990-1993)

Lifestyles Editor: Managed all aspects of the Lifestyles section,

overseeing story ideas, writing, editing and layout. Supervised a team of

writers to produce section on-time and within budget.

Editor, Warrendale/West Detroit Edition: Achieved news award from Michigan

Press Association. Planned, wrote, edited and laid out each edition.

Performed research. Coordinated freelance assignments.

FALBAUM & ASSOCIATES, Birmingham, MI (1990)

Account Executive: Supported corporate client's branding initiatives by

spearheading the production of press releases, newsletters, advertising and

marketing collateral.

MICHIGAN HEALTH CARE CORPORATION, Detroit, MI (1987-1990)

Assistant Administrator of Corporate Public Affairs: Responsibilities

included contributing to and implementing the press relations, marketing,

advertising, communications, and public relations functions/strategies of

one of Michigan's largest provider of mental health care.

Key Contributions:

* As editor, reduced the cost of producing the corporation's quarterly

magazine by nearly $10,000 annually. Publication was voted "Best Internal

Publication" in the 1998 American Osteopathic Hospital Association's

Marketing Competition.

* Organized the press relations program for the corporation. Successful

results included a media-Detroit Pistons charity basketball game, placement

of features in local and national health care magazines, local business

notes, and a hospital grand opening, which drew positive exposure.

* Responsible for updating technical manuals, brochures, press releases,

and general communications. Acted as media relations person, keeping in

contact with administration. Also started speakers bureau at Hospital and

spoke at community meetings which attended.

OAKLAND PRESS, Pontiac, MI (1979-1987)

Layout Supervisor, Columnist, Reporter: Duties at this daily newspaper

(80,000-plus circulation) included reviewing pages for accuracy and style,

monitoring wire services, editing stories, and making any necessary

makeovers for the four daily updated editions. Earned writing awards from

Michigan Press Association and Michigan Associated Press, including third

place in features (1983, 1985) and third place in writing (1983, 1985).

Also earned third place in features from Pro Basketball Writers Association

(1984).

THE NEWS-DEMOCRAT, Belleville, IL (1977-1979)

Layout Supervisor, Reporter: Reported and photographed local events and

performed daily layout of news and sports section at this daily newspaper

(34,000 circulation). Accomplishments included comprehensive analysis of

area elections. Sports section was voted "Best in Illinois" in 1997

Illinois Press Association's layout contest.

THE DAILY SUN, Texas City, Texas (1976-1977)

Sports Editor: Covered local high school sports scene and performed

production of daily sports section for daily newspaper (12,00 circulation).

EDUCATION

Master of Arts in English Language and Literature,

Concentrations in Written Communications and Teaching of Writing

Eastern Michigan University, Ypsilanti, Michigan

Bachelor of Science in Mass Communications / Journalism

Southern Illinois University, Edwardsville, Illinois

PROFESSIONAL DISTINCTIONS

* Member of the American Society of Business Publication Editors

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