BOB BEAMESDERFER
951-***-**** / Evanston, Ill.
******@***.*** / http://www.linkedin.com/pub/6/100/b37
WRITER / EDITOR
Award-winning, talented journalist with experience writing and editing business, news and feature stories for print and the web. Track record of success includes launch of the Los Angeles Times’ Highway 1 section and participation in several special Business section projects. Strengths include writing, editing, photography, problem-solving and a big-picture view with attention to critical details.
Excellent, fast and accurate editor; solid headline writer; outstanding news judgment.
Talented writer, capable of turning a phrase or explaining a technology
Decisive and cool under pressure
Praised for versatility, design talent, news judgment, speed, quality of work and ability to meet deadlines, solid knowledge of Associated Press Stylebook
Experienced user of Microsoft Word, CCI publishing system, QuarkXPress, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Lightroom, Adobe Acrobat Pro, WordPress; good familiarity with Illustrator.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
FREELANCE COPY EDITOR, Evanston, IL May 2020–Present
Copy edit articles for Substack writers, Medscape and private clients.
TRIBUNE PUBLISHING, Chicago, IL October 2016–May 2020
National-Foreign Copy/Wire Editor
Edit national, foreign, and business wire stories for Associated Press style, spelling, grammar, content issues; write headlines and captions; edit stories to length. Update stories between editions as needed. Slot editor (i.e., final read before typesetting) four nights a week. Wire editor one night a week.
THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER, Santa Ana, CA January 2013–March 2016
Copy Editor
Edit national, foreign, local, business, and automotive stories for AP style, spelling, grammar, content issues; write headlines, photo captions, story summaries; edit graphics and maps for style, spelling, content. Slot edit, i.e., final read before typesetting, of Business, Local and main News section stories for the Register and Riverside Press-Enterprise. Wire editing, involving the selection and editing of national stories and photos.
Praised for speed, accuracy, news judgment.
KPA / TK Carsites, Irvine, CA July 2010–May 2012
SEO Writer / Editor
Write and edit custom website content consisting of make/model overviews and general automotive pieces. Manage freelance writer and two dozen automotive blogs. Write and edit blog content for search engine optimization purposes using WordPress. Work with SEO manager to improve and develop XML templates.
AUTOBYTEL / MYRIDE.COM, Irvine, CA July 2007–May 2008
Road Test Editor
Drove vehicles and wrote in-depth reviews or second opinions aimed at the average consumer for Autobytel's website, MyRide.com. Wrote automotive news items of interest to consumers. Traveled to SEMA and major auto shows, and covered news conferences on deadline to write vehicle previews for immediate web publication.
MyRide.com editorial team drove traffic to the site with engaging features, appraisals of vehicles and up-to-date reports from auto shows.
Bob Beamesderfer Page 2
THE RECORD, Stockton, CA Dec. 2006–Feb. 2007
Night News Editor
Managed staff of 11 copy editors and designers. Participated in daily Page 1 meeting. Evaluated
section-front stories, headlines, photos, graphics, and breaking news. Tracked deadline progress of news sections; acted as ranking editor in the absence of the assistant managing editor and managing editor.
THE PRESS-ENTERPRISE, Riverside, CA Aug. 2006–Nov. 2006
News Designer
Designed zoned Local section fronts, Regional and other pages using the CCI news editing system.
LOS ANGELES TIMES, Los Angeles, CA 1994–2005
News Design Editor (2002–2005)
Designed pages in Main News and California sections and the National Edition.
Business News Editor (1994–2002)
News edited and designed the daily and Sunday Business covers and special sections, working with the section, graphics, and photo editors. The Times Business section won the Society of Business Editors and Writers award for excellence four times from 1998 to 2001.
Spearheaded launch of Highway 1 automotive section, including helping to develop content, preparing final prototypes, designing the debut section and being a contributing writer. The section added new insights for Times readers.
Worked on launch of Wall St. California personal finance pages, including development of regularly appearing graphics. The pages were a significant increase in coverage of personal finance and investing news, geared toward the average person saving for retirement.
Substitute Night Page 1 Executive Editor (1998–2001) [Concurrent w/ Business News Editor position]
Evaluated Page 1 stories, headlines, photos, graphics, and breaking news in concert with managing and section editors. Responsible for making final decisions regarding deadline production issues.
Staff Writer (1997–2001) [Concurrent with Business News Editor position]
Wrote features for special career and investing sections produced by the Business staff, including a Q&A with Mary Shapiro, former chairwoman of the Securities and Exchange Commission. Reviewed cars and wrote automotive features for Highway 1.
EDUCATION
B.S., Journalism, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ
AWARDS
Los Angeles Times Editorial Award for Innovation, 1998—Highway 1, automotive section
Times Mirror Innovation Award, 1996—Wall St. California personal finance pages
MEMBERSHIPS AND ACTIVITIES
Volunteer Endurance Director, Formula SAE California Competition, 2010, 2011
Volunteer Business Presentation Judge, Formula SAE West Competition, 2008-2009
Volunteer Grid Chief, Formula SAE West Competition, 2006–2009