Résumé
SKILLS
EXPERIENCE
Staff Writer, Fort Worth Star-Telegram 1997 - present
Covered a variety of subject areas, including municipal government, social services, and education/school districts for daily newspaper. Developed full-length profiles and feature stories, quick-hit news items and national trend stories. Produced content for print publications and for online formats.
Staff Writer, The Monitor, McAllen, Texas, 1994 -1997
Developed and produced content focused on South Texas personalities, community leaders, elected officials and political issues.
Staff Writer, The Brownsville Herald, Brownsville, Texas, 1991-1994
Identified community issues along the Texas-Mexico border.
Clerk, University of Texas at Austin, Geology library, spring/summer 1990
Circulation desk duties.
Clerk, U.S. Army, Fort Clayton, Panama, summer 1987
Scheduled house inspections for military personnel moving out of government housing. Performed clerical duties, including filing, labeling and answering telephone.
AWARDS and HONORS
2011 Texas Associated Press Managing Editors Award, Third Place, Deadline writing for team coverage of Lubbuck terrorist arrest
2010 Texas Associated Press Managing Editors Award, Second Place, Team coverage of the H1N1 epidemic
2003 Texas State Teachers Association School Bell Award, outstanding feature
2001 Star-Telegram Amon Award for specialty reporting, immigration issues
1999 Press Club of Dallas, Katie Award, Team coverage of immigration series
1994 Texas Associated Press Managing Editors, Top Ten in Texas list for coverage of Hidalgo County Sheriff corruption case
1992 Texas Associated Press Managing Editors, Second Place, breaking news
EDUCATION
University of Texas at Austin, Bachelor of Journalism, 1991
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
2002 Journalism Center on children and families, University of Maryland, Fellow at forum on trauma suffered by children in wars, violence, terrorism and natural disasters.
- Extensive knowledge based on more than 15 years covering Spanish-speaking communities, education and immigration. Emphasis on local governments, college campuses and political trends.
- In-depth knowledge of federal, state and local government, with an emphasis on homeland security and education agencies.
- Ability to interpret for co-workers in a high-pressure deadline situation.
- Ability to quickly identify key messages to develop effective communications.
- Strong ability to network to identify key sources. Exceptional skills at identifying compelling narratives and pulling the best stories from an organization to support key strategies.
- Highly productive team member who thrives when juggling multiple assignments.
- Adept using social media to reinforce key messages and monitor feedback.
- Proficient in Word, Power Point, Windows Movie Maker and web-based research.
EXPERIENCE
Staff Writer, Fort Worth Star-Telegram 1997 - present
Covered a variety of subject areas, including municipal government, social services, and education/school districts for daily newspaper. Developed full-length profiles and feature stories, quick-hit news items and national trend stories. Produced content for print publications and for online formats.
Staff Writer, The Monitor, McAllen, Texas, 1994 -1997
Developed and produced content focused on South Texas personalities, community leaders, elected officials and political issues.
Staff Writer, The Brownsville Herald, Brownsville, Texas, 1991-1994
Identified community issues along the Texas-Mexico border.
Clerk, University of Texas at Austin, Geology library, spring/summer 1990
Circulation desk duties.
Clerk, U.S. Army, Fort Clayton, Panama, summer 1987
Scheduled house inspections for military personnel moving out of government housing. Performed clerical duties, including filing, labeling and answering telephone.
AWARDS and HONORS
2011 Texas Associated Press Managing Editors Award, Third Place, Deadline writing for team coverage of Lubbuck terrorist arrest
2010 Texas Associated Press Managing Editors Award, Second Place, Team coverage of the H1N1 epidemic
2003 Texas State Teachers Association School Bell Award, outstanding feature
2001 Star-Telegram Amon Award for specialty reporting, immigration issues
1999 Press Club of Dallas, Katie Award, Team coverage of immigration series
1994 Texas Associated Press Managing Editors, Top Ten in Texas list for coverage of Hidalgo County Sheriff corruption case
1992 Texas Associated Press Managing Editors, Second Place, breaking news
EDUCATION
University of Texas at Austin, Bachelor of Journalism, 1991
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
2002 Journalism Center on children and families, University of Maryland, Fellow at forum on trauma suffered by children in wars, violence, terrorism and natural disasters.