Software Technical Writer
Resume:
Dot Fowler
Hoover, Alabama 35216
abnnhs@r.postjobfree.com, http://www.linkedin.com/in/dotfowler
Summary
A senior level technical writer and desktop publisher with more than 25 years experience in multiple business areas,
primarily in IT software documentation. Experience in documenting for medical, scientific, telecommunications and
financial software applications. Expertise is varied, including the following strengths and recognition:
Staunch advocate for the customer’s needs Excellent team player
Experienced in defining the task at hand Competent illustrator
Well-versed in page design Nurturing mentor to younger staff
Innovative and creative problem-solver Recognized for contributions to craft
Initiative Quality driven
Experience
Open Solutions Inc. (formerly BISYS Document Solutions), Birmingham, AL 1999-2008
Check imaging and processing software used by financial institutions and data centers
Senior Technical Writer
Responsible for the maintenance of over 40 manuals, and the writing of all new manuals. Wrote release bulletins for software
releases, and technical bulletins, when needed. Assisted in design of documentation template. After staff reductions, managed all
end-user documentation alone for over 5 years. Proficient in FrameMaker, Acrobat Professional 7.0, SnagIt, Microsoft Word 2000,
2003, and 2007, Visual SourceSafe, PaintShop Pro 5 and 8.
Accomplishments
Researched and implemented means for online editing of Adobe Acrobat files for non-Acrobat users.
Initiated change to desktop publishing software, cutting documentation production time in half.
Increased speed of producing online documentation by moving from RoboHelp 2000 to Adobe PDFs.
Created first intranet website for internal distribution of documentation to staff, eliminating the exorbitant cost of printing
manuals.
Created PowerPoint presentation for my vice president that was very well received by customers and upper management.
DMR Consulting Group Inc. at BellSouth, Birmingham, AL 1997-1999
Consultant technical writer at Bellsouth for DMR Consulting.
Supervisor and Technical Writer
Wrote and maintained internal design documents in a Sun Microsystems and UNIX environment. As a Career Path Advisor of up
to five DMR technical writers, collected and checked timesheets, interviewed the contractor’s client supervisor for annual
performance reviews, advised writers on career paths within DMR, and resolved problems when they arose. Tools used were
Windows NT, Microsoft Word and PowerPoint 97, Visio Graphics, FTP, and CMVC.
Accomplishments
Awarded Career Advisor of the Year in 1998.
Conducted numerous technical interviews of prospective hires in technical writing.
Sought and achieved DMR payment of annual dues to the Society for Technical Communication for all DMR technical
writers – a first for the company.
EPL, Inc., Birmingham, AL 1990-1997
Developer of real-time software systems for credit unions and financial institutions
Documentation Specialist and Supervisor
Supervised additional writer. Created budget, defined short and long-range goals, and wrote performance reviews. Designed and
wrote user manuals, researched printing and binder costs, ordered supplies, and arranged for distribution of new documentation to
clients. Assisted Marketing with design and editing of promotional materials. Tools used were Windows 95, Ventura Desktop
Publisher 4.1, Doc-to-Help, WordPerfect 5.1, Microsoft Word 6.0 and 7.0.
Accomplishments
Received merit awards for multiple manuals from the Society for Technical Communications.
Received “top 10%” and“Excellence” recognition of my manuals in an independent review.
Supervised another writer, created budget, and performed annual reviews.
Created a series of questions programmers answered online to target upcoming changes.
R&M Biometrics, Nashville, TN 1988-1990
Scientific research software developer
Technical Writer
Wrote, designed, illustrated, and maintained user documentation for complex image analysis software used in research laboratories.
Tools used were Ventura Desktop Publisher, GEM Draw+, and WordStar 4.0.
Compco, Inc., Brentwood, TN 1987-1988
Telecommunications software developer
Technical Writer
Wrote and designed end-user and in-house documentation for a telecommunications service bureau. Tools used were Ventura
Desktop Publisher, GEM Draw+, and WordStar 4.0.
Contract Documentation Specialist, Nashville, TN 1986-1991
Free-lance work for: Tanner Corporate Services, Cumberland Transit, Diabetes Assn., and General Electric’s Learning Center in
Columbia, TN.
At General Electric, I wrote training manuals for use by machine operators in a factory making rotary compressors. This work
involved interviewing and observing the machine operators, documenting each task, interviewing the engineers responsible for each
machine, creating illustrations using In-a-Vision CAD-CAM, and working with a staff photographer to take photos of each machine
part so that I could document each. I also trained the other contractual writers (who had little computer experience) on printer
formatting and other page design tips.
Tools used were Ventura Desktop Publisher, GEM Draw+, WordStar 4.0, MultiMate 3.3, In-a-Vision CAD-CAM.
Telco Research Corporation, Nashville, TN 1985-1986
Fortune 500 Telecommunications software, a subsidiary of NYNEX
Technical Writer
Wrote and illustrated numerous user manuals, illustrated Marketing materials and wrote articles for marketing newsletter. Initiated
and edited monthly employee newsletter. Tools used were Ventura Publisher, GEM Draw.
Pribor Systems (later known as Health Development, Inc.), Nashville, TN 1983-1985
Medical laboratory software developer.
Technical Writer.
Designed, wrote, illustrated, and produced software documentation.
Simon Vision Centers, Nashville, TN 1978-1983
Optometrist with five locations. Computer Operator (IBM System 32) and Optometric Assistant.
Computer Operator and Optometric Assistant
Wrote sort specifications for custom designed mailings and renewals. Trained contact lens wearers, and fitted glasses.
Early Jobs, Nashville, TN 1973-1978
Assistant Manager of a dress shop (closed), Nashville, TN 1976-1978
9th Grade English Teacher, Tullahoma City Schools, Tullahoma, TN 1975-1976
Acquisition’s assistant, Middle Tennessee State University Library, Murfreesboro, TN 1973-1975
Education
Bachelor of Arts degree in English from David Lipscomb University in Nashville, TN
Honors and Affiliations
Career Advisor of the Year, 1998, DMR Consulting Group.
Awarded Associate Fellow, Society for Technical Communication’s (STC) International Selection Committee, 2005
STC Distinguished Chapter Service award winner, 2000 (international-level award).
President’s Award, 2004 (chapter-level award).
Two STC Merit awards for my documentation while at EPL, Inc.
Résumé of Dot Fowler Page 2
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