Dwight Swift
**** ******* ***** ***** ********* Ranch, CO 80130 719-***-**** *******@***.***
Summary of Skills
- More than 20 years’ of professional writing, editing, project management, and leadership experience.
- Adept at achieving results through realistic planning, creative problem solving, and effective resource and risk
management.
- Excel at creating usable technical documentation for all skill levels.
- Software proficiency: Adobe FrameMaker, Acrobat Pro, RoboHelp, Technical Communication Suite 4, Microsoft
Word, Visio, Office, PowerPoint, Flare, and SGML
- Able to achieve results and meet deadlines under demanding conditions.
Experience
Senior Technical Writer, Jeppesen 4/1/2010 9/30/2013
Englewood, CO
- Senior technical writer for Jeppesen’s flagship dispatching software for airlines. I wrote and maintained all
associated manuals and documents. Each software release required detailed release notes and a complete set of
version controlled manuals and guides, including: a 750-page user’s manual, a 400-page administrator’s manual, a
software installation guide, and a technical support guide for system troubleshooting.
- Prepared more than 100 documents that defined software requirements, testing procedures, and contractual
customer acceptance criteria.
- Coordinated across departments to write numerous technical documents. All were published on time, in compliance
with company and industry standards, and received accolades for their clarity and usability.
- Wrote, tested, deployed and maintained an online help file for Jeppesen’s first mobile flight plan generator for
commercial use. This fast-paced project was updated bi-weekly. The help file received numerous glowing customer
reviews and was cited as a key selling point by the product manager.
- Wrote, tested, deployed and maintained an online help file for Jeppesen’s first customized mobile military flight
plan generator for the Indian Air Force. This product received accolades from Boeing and the Indian Air Force.
Lead Technical Writer, L-3 Communications 3/1/2008 3/1/2010
Colorado Springs, CO
- Lead technical writer for the Air Force BMEWS/PAVEPAWS radar system. Led a seven-writer staff that supported
24 technical manuals. Published all changes within deadlines and improved document accuracy.
- Worked with engineers, drafters, hardware experts, and product specialists to develop new manuals per the
customer’s requirements.
- Streamlined internal quality control and work flow processes to improve team metrics and exceed standards.
- Updated legacy technical, operations, and specification manuals for the Air Force deep space radar system.
Coordinated with engineers located at nine different sites to develop content and deliver manuals within dedicated
timelines and to military standards.
Technical Writer, EDS 3/1/2005 3/1/2008
Colorado Springs, CO
- Created all technical documentation for a custom SLA measurement tool on the Navy DoD classified network that
resulted in an additional $350K revenue per month. Coordinated with engineers to develop certification documents
and user training curriculum.
- Managed all Tivoli and Radia projects within the DoD/DoN Technical Delivery Life Cycle, including the creation of
all technical documents required by the government, follow-on user training, technical roadmaps and briefings.
- Coordinated the HPServer Automation project that streamlined server provisioning and patch management,
automated server builds and deployments, and scaled to accommodate over 8,000 servers. Coordinated the project
across multiple departments to achieve buy-in, funding, risk management, engineering, deployment and
implementation strategy.
- Developed a change and version control system for the Tools Team that followed ITIL practices, resulting in an
organized and systemic approach to project delivery. Wrote, edited, and certified all technical documents.
- Served as point of contact for system objectives, requirements and processes. Captured and documented all team
requirements and mapped them to deliverables.
Project Manager, HP 3/1/2002 3/1/2005
Colorado Springs, CO
- Recognized for being in the top 15% of project managers based on performance, revenue generated, and successful
business metrics.
- Managed several multi-million dollar equipment rollouts. Created all required technical documentation, coordinated
equipment configurations, manufacturing, testing, and deliveries to meet requirements.
- Led project teams by understanding business processes, gathering requirements, identifying potential issues, and
managing scope. Achieved solution-oriented results by focusing on quality, delivering projects on time, and
effectively controlling budgets and pricing.
Managing Editor, Omega Publishing 1/1/1992 3/1/2002
Boulder, CO
- Managed editorial, marketing, production, and business staffs. Performed long-range planning, forecasting, and
budgeting for a $5-million annual company. Successfully organized the company into a profitable business.
- Streamlined advertising sales and circulation programs and implemented a system to monitor and track results.
- Launched a website and implemented the online sales of merchandise and subscriptions. Computerized the editorial,
production and pre-press process. Earned Microsoft MCSE certification.
- Edited features for style, content and accuracy. Chosen as top editor in category. Wrote features and columns and
advertising materials as needed.
Captain, U.S. Army 5/1/1983 12/1/1991
Fort Carson, CO
- Division Protocol Officer: Planned, coordinated, and executed all aspects of high-level visits and briefings to
include, British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, Vice President Dan Quayle, and General Colin Powell.
- Brigade Plans Officer: Program manager for numerous complex training programs involving planning,
implementation and evaluation. These included the deployments of 3,500 soldiers and their equipment and supplies.
- Armor Company Commander: Responsible for the combat readiness, training and tactical deployment of 75
soldiers, 14 tanks, and associated support vehicles and weapons systems. Consistently rated as the top commander
out of 12.
- Battalion Personnel Officer: Responsible for all administrative, personnel and human resource actions for 700
soldiers to include awards, assignments, evaluations, pay and all legal matters.
- Company Executive Officer: Ensured the readiness of 14 tanks and associated vehicles and weapons. Oversaw the
company maintenance facilities and training. Received numerous awards for outstanding achievement.
- Armor Platoon Leader; Responsible for the readiness, training and tactical deployment of four M1A1 tanks and 11
soldiers. Consistently rated high platoon out of 16.
Education
- BS, Civil Engineering, U.S. Military Academy, West Point, NY