Remote University Writer, Communications Manager
Resume:
Bret Yager
*****.**********@*****.***
Work History:
Communications Manager, Managing Editor — Global Fishing Watch. Remote, globally distributed. Sept. 13, 2021 to present. (Maternity cover)
Duties – Communications project management for a global, tech-focused organization founded by Google, SkyTruth and Oceana; completing communications initiatives with multiple stakeholders; serving as managing editor and writer for blog posts, press releases and other assets at the nexus of marine science research, fisheries policy, emerging satellite monitoring technology and foreign relations with fisheries agencies worldwide; writing for publication on behalf of the CEO; managing a communications officer based in Costa Rica; collaborating with globally-dispersed diplomatic and analytical teams that work to bring transparency to international fisheries policy; helping our technology development and research teams to meet their communications needs; tracking and reporting on media coverage; frequently interacting with and meeting the needs of media ranging from Foreign Policy Magazine to the Associated Press and with diverse project partners ranging from the Pentagon to Stanford University; proficiently using Google Suite, Google Meet, Zoom, Microsoft Office, Slack, Meltwater
College Writer/Community Relations Associate — The State University of New York at Potsdam. January 2020 to March 31, 2021 (Temporary 1-year contract, position eliminated due to COVID-19 budget problems, system-mandated staff cuts)
Awards: June 2021—Best of Category, Excellence in Writing, Feature Stories (State University of New York Council for College Advancement)
June 2021—Best of Category, Excellence in Writing, News Writing (State University of New York Council for College Advancement)
Autumn 2021, Best Historical Feature, International Regional Magazine Association
Duties – Working remotely with minimal guidance and oversight to build relationships across all strata of the college; identifying, writing and editing feature stories, press releases and alumni and donor profiles; networking with faculty, staff, alumni and students to identify compelling narratives and photo opportunities; drafting quotes on behalf of the university president; posting content to social media platforms; managing the content review process; writing and editing drip email marketing campaigns, marketing content, summaries, tag lines and headlines; working with reporters and editors to earn media placements; monitoring and reporting on media coverage; identified new markets for earned media; building relationships with editors and earning important story placements in major media; proficiently using Microsoft Office, Teams, Zoom
Managing Editor -- Newport News-Times. August 2018 to August 2019
Awards: July 2019, Best Editorial, Oregon Newspaper Publishers Association
Duties -- Managing the workflow and editorial direction of up to six reporters, photographers, page designers and section editors, coordinating freelance coverage, guiding coverage and mentoring entry-level staff, editing and proofreading all A Section content for a twice weekly newspaper, circulation 5,500; acting as the lead beat writer covering Oregon State University’s Hatfield Marine Science Center, the West Coast headquarters for NOAA’s fleet of research vessels and the largest commercial fishing fleet on the Oregon Coast; identifying and writing news stories; taking photographs; determining story placement and page layout; serving as photo, social media and digital editor; conducting weekly staff meetings
Accomplishments: (1) Initiating and driving a new digital and social media front that saw monthly website users increase from 17,000 to more than 27,000 in a year’s time, comparable increases in social media traffic, including authorship of several Facebook posts which achieved 40,000 to 100,000 views and more than 300 shares. This was accomplished with a full-scale team effort despite a 25 percent staff reduction.
(2) Serving 14 days on the Research Vessel Oceanus as a guest science journalist during an Oregon State University research cruise, highlighting science at sea and the accomplishments of one of the nation’s top-ranked marine science programs
Marketing related experience via newspaper contract with City of Newport: Creating written content for Destination Newport website and Facebook to promote tourism in the City of Newport and such destinations as the Oregon Coast Aquarium, Hatfield Marine Science Center, coastal parks and seashore, as well as activities ranging from kite flying to halibut fishing, sightseeing and biking the beach
Assistant Manager and Interpreter -- Kapohokine Adventures, March 2017-June 2018
Accomplishments: Employee of the month, June 2017
Duties -- Managing 12 to 15 guides and multiple concurrent land tours for Hawaii Island’s largest ecotourism company; giving sales presentations to groups of prospective guests; leading stargazing tours on Mauna Kea, transporting and lecturing to groups of 10-14 guests; ensuring quality delivery of education and services by other guides; scheduling guides, vans and guest pickups; handling customer feedback and being responsible for all aspects of the customer experience; explaining teaching moments to staff surrounding tour mishaps; interpreting the natural history, geology and culture of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.
News Reporter -- West Hawaii Today/Oahu Publications, Kailua-Kona, Hawaii. March 2014 to July 2016
Awards: 2nd place Best Editorial Series, Hawaii Newspaper Publishers Association, for coverage of dengue fever outbreak.
2nd place General News, Enterprise Reporting, Hawaii Society of Professional Journalists, for coverage of dangerous conditions, lack of safety measures at Big Island’s Kua Bay.
Duties -- Researching, interviewing, writing and editing daily newspaper stories and taking photos for use in two sister newspapers covering east and west Hawaii Island. Coverage included county and state government, land and water issues, Native Hawaiian affairs, tourism, infrastructure, hurricanes, real estate, oceans and reefs, features and enterprise.
Editing press releases into useful articles, page proofing, fact and spelling check.
Staff Writer -- Valley News, Lebanon New Hampshire. November 2009 to September 2010
Duties -- Interviewing, researching and writing daily newspaper stories covering the towns of Claremont, New Hampshire and Windsor, Vermont for 20,000-circulation regional broadsheet newspaper. Coverage included schools, local government, features. Worked directly under Pulitzer Prize-winning editor Jeff Good.
Staff Writer -- Hawaii Tribune-Herald, Hilo Hawaii. September 2006 to August 2009
Awards: 2nd place, Best Editorial Series, Hawaii Newspaper Publishers Association, 2007, for coverage of racial violence in public schools.
2nd place, Best Enterprise Reporting, Hawaii Society of Professional Journalists, 2008, for coverage of pollution, overuse at popular tide pool area.
Duties -- Interviewing, researching, writing and editing daily newspaper stories for 20,000 circulation broadsheet and sister newspaper West Hawaii Today, circulation 12,000. Coverage included education, hospitals, environment, deplete uranium pollution, hurricanes, general assignment, features and enterprise reporting.
Editing press releases into useful articles, page proofing, fact and spelling check.
Reporter -- Siuslaw News, Florence Oregon. June 2003 to August 2006
Awards: Averaged four professional awards per year, including Best Feature, Best Editorial Series, Spot News Reporting, Enterprise Reporting. Oregon Society of Professional Journalists, Oregon Newspaper Publishers Association.
Duties -- Interviewing, researching, writing and editing newspaper stories for twice-weekly local newspaper, circulation 7,000, also assisting in photography, design and production. Editing duties four weeks a year while filling in for vacationing editor. Coverage included city hall, land-use conflicts, logging, fishing, features, general assignment and enterprise reporting.
Education: Bachelor of Science in Political Science, University of Oregon
REFERENCES:
Sarah Bladen, Executive Director of Communications and Partnerships, Wales, UK: *****@******************.***
Jason Hunter, Senior Writer, SUNY Potsdam: ********@*******.*** 315-***-****
Mindy Thompson, Associate Vice President for Communications, State University of New York at Potsdam: ********@*******.*** 315-***-****
David Bock, Editor & Publisher, Hawaii Tribune-Herald, West Hawaii Today: *****@*************-******.*** 808-***-****
Writing Sample: https://globalfishingwatch.org/press-release/technology-highlights-hidden-vessels/
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