Freelance Writer, Editor, Proofreader and Content Consultant

William C. Lascher

****@**************.***

Web site: www.lascheratlarge.com

Twitter: http://twitter.com/BillLascher

LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/billlascher

Phone: 805-***-****

EXPERIENCE:

Editor/Writer

Lascher at Large, www.lascheratlarge.com, Feb. 2009-Present

* Writing and editing independent news and commentary for this Web publication;

* Developing and designing evolving site using Wordpress.org and other software;

* Publicizing site using traditional and online networking tools such as Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn.

Editor

Ventura County Reporter, Ventura, CA 2007-2008 (Deputy Editor 2007)

* Managed editorial content of weekly community-oriented alternative newspaper serving 30,000 readers;

* Reinvigorated publication's commitment to local news coverage;

* Recruited staff and freelance writers, photographers and editorial interns;

* Wrote stories showing a thorough understanding of Ventura County news and culture.

Technology Editor & Staff Writer

Pacific Coast Business Times, Santa Barbara, CA 2005-2007

* Created content for weekly news packages and monthly legal affairs and technology columns;

* Formed contacts in technology, law, energy, health care, higher education, agriculture and other sectors;

* Led development of new electronic newsletter initiative with weekly readership growth;

* Represented publication on The Coastal Business Report weekly television broadcast on KEYT.

Freelance Writing

Various Publications, California, Maine, Oregon and Ohio 1997-2005

* Published news, features, and opinion in daily, weekly, monthly and specialty publications;

* Produced speeches, promotional materials, press releases, radio spots, letter-writing campaigns, signage and other writing for non-profits, grassroots organizations and political campaigns.

Campaign Manager

Friends for Charles Hochberg, Brookings, Oregon 2004

* Coordinated campaign for Oregon State House of Representatives seat against two-term incumbent;

* Designed campaign materials, implemented voter contact and GOTV program, conducted regional and opposition research, directed media outreach and publicity efforts, supervised fundraising efforts.

Co-Founder, Editorial Board Member and Writer

Portland Pigeon, Portland, Maine 2003-2004

* Developed and edited independent monthly newspaper, The Portland Pigeon;

* Participated in all levels of organizational development and management including story generation, writing, editing, production, design, meeting facilitation, fundraising, publicity and marketing.

EDUCATION

M.A., Specialized Journalism

Annenberg School for Communication, USC 2008-2009

* Professional master's project explored the challenges and opportunities facing Los Angeles' evolving transportation network given the current economic crisis and state and federal budget battles;

* Studies focused on climate science, urban ecology, environmental policy and global civil society.

Graduate Certificate, Documentary Journalism

Salt Institute For Documentary Studies, Portland, Maine 2002

* Studied advanced creative nonfiction composition, research methods, interview techniques, and ethics;

* Composed narrative article on sociological and economic changes in border community of Jackman, Maine, in collaboration with documentary photographer Whitney Fox.

Bachelor of Arts,

Oberlin College, Oberlin, Ohio 1998-2002

* Majored in history; minored in politics;

* Reported and wrote daily news as a 2002 Winter intern with the Elyria Chronicle Telegram;

* Served as news, perspectives and world and nation editor for the Oberlin Review; coached new writers; maintained campus and community contacts; assisted recruitment, publicity, and long-term budgeting.

* Lived in Strasbourg, France, while studying Alsatian culture and European Integration.

REPORTING AND SUBJECT EXPERTISE

Technology business: Emphasis on nanotechnology, biotechnology, Internet and space industries

Politics, government and law: Legal affairs, litigation, federal, state and local political campaigns, activism, community development and planning, media business and policy

Environment: Green business and policy, alternative fuels and sustainability

Energy and infrastructure: Specialty in liquefied natural gas development and business, mining and utilities

Other Business Sectors: Agriculture, health care, higher education, real estate, historic conservation, niche businesses

Culture: Food and drink reviews, recreation, travel, personality profiles

TECHNOLOGY AND PROFESSIONAL SKILLS

Reporting technology: Marantz audiotape recorder, Sony handheld digital audio recorder, Dictaphone transcription, Digital and 35mm still photography

Software and online services: Electronic and paper court indexes and legal research, various social networking sites as reporting tools, Oasis content management system, Adobe Pagemaker, Quark, InDesign, WordPress blog platform, spreadsheets, Microsoft Access databases, HTML

Management and Editing: Story development and budgeting, small organization fundraising, editorial staff management (in-house and freelance), volunteer recruitment and management

Audio, transcription and research material archiving

French language

MEMBERSHIPS, ACTIVITIES AND AWARDS

Journalism organizations: Society of Professional Journalists (2006-present – temporarily lapsed in 2008), Los Angeles Press Club, Investigative Reporters and Editors (2006-2008), Association of Alternative Newsweeklies (2007-2008), Society of American Business Editors and Writers (2005-2007)

Awards: Finalist, 2009 Southern California Journalism Awards, Commentary (Newspapers Under 100k Circulation), 1997 California Arts Scholar for Creative Writing

Political organizations: Past member, Democratic Grassroots Institute & Network (2004), Delegate, Maine State Democratic Convention (2004), Precinct Captain, Dean for America (2004)

Other: Volunteer, Students for Students membership program, Oberlin, Ohio (2002), Attendee, National Young Leaders Conference (1998)

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