Resume

Summary:

Technical communicator with experience in both print and online media. Strong graphic arts background. Reliable, competent, and think on my feet. Fully-configured home office; willing to telecommute. Interested in a job that does not require long daily commutes. Interested in part time or full time work.

Skills:

English, visual design, desktop publishing, computer graphics and movie-making.

Specific areas of competency include Adobe CS4 including Dreamweaver,PhotoShop, Illustrator, InDesign, some knowledge of Flash; Office 2007 including Word, Excel, Access; Quicken, Quickbooks. I have managed my own business and I'm organized and competent at office and project management.

Summary of computer-related qualifications:

Writer and web designer, self-employed, 2004 - present

I am working on the following projects: doing the design, editing and publication of The Federal Poet, a semi-annual journal of the Federal Poets, DC's equivalent to the states' poetry societies; editing and updating a website for a nationally known poet (Lyn Lifshin); self-publishing various books on lulu.com (search on 'blehert' to see samples), doing the weekly email newsletter for my church. I occasionally do posters and graphics for various functions. I do the photography and video footage for a church group.

Technical Writer/Graphic Designer, 3e Technologies International, Rockville, MD 2001 to 2004

When 3Com closed its small DSL lab in Vienna in June 2001, I was fortunate to move to 3e Technologies International in Rockville. From the time I started, August 2001, I watched this small private company grow from 60 to over 100 people. Also doing business as AEPTEC Microsystems, this small company does developmental work in the area of wireless networking (gateways and access points) and location and condition telematics. As sole technical (and marcom) writer/artist, I was involved in a large number of projects and types of written and visual material, from technical manuals and quickstart guides (and even the production of the art and autoplay CD containing user documents) to Data Sheets, Posters and display materials for shows. I was also the resident photographer (using an Olympus 3040 digital camera.)

Technical writer, 3Com Corporation, Vienna VA 1999 - 2001

Employed full time as a technical writer and team leader (Tools and Support Group) at the 3Com DSL Development Lab in Vienna, VA. Developed/maintained the local DSL Lab intranet site using Dreamweaver and HomeSite. Developed printed installation manuals and quick start guides for multiple DSL products (internal PCI cards, external Ethernet or USB or both). Developed digital user guides (PDF and HTML) for installation CDs. Our effort was to make the information and procedure as simple as possible so that it would be accessible to the broadest public. I learned to perform installs and document multiple Windows operating systems and clearly explain the differences. I illustrated procedures using digital camera or Illustrator and was working on some animation (using ImageReady) and movie clip editing (using a Canon Optura, MotoDV, and Premiere.)

Words & Pictures East Coast, Reston, VA 1991 - 1999

I Incorporated as a small company and designed, published, and marketed a 400-page paperback using PageMaker, incorporating text, footnotes, indexes, illustrations, table of contents, and full-color cover. (You can see a sample on Amazon.com.) In addition, as consultant, I participated in projects requiring research and technical writing, most notably researching and documenting the best-fit training organization for a local systems integrator to partner with on a major Government bid. As fine artist, I won numerous awards in local art shows, was accepted in a local DC gallery and enjoyed a respectable number of sales. Acted as webmaster for an online literary magazine, thecortlandreview.com and designed several websites for local poets and artists. Designed and produced a small (usually 4 page) poetry broadsheet which is produced every other month and contains an average of 7-10 illustrations.

US Geological Survey, Reston VA 1989 - 1991

As a Space Management Specialist, applied extensive knowledge of GSA leasing regulations, Government policy and general knowledge of project management to ensure that space occupied by USGS field operations in the Eastern part of the US and leased by the GSA was properly managed and that lease negotiations were completed on time. Computer skills limited to office Windows applications and dBase III. Writing skills applied to lease clauses, letters, some general analysis.

General Services Administration, Washington DC 1975 - 1988

From entry into the Management Intern Program, moved into a management position as Branch Chief of the Technical Support Branch, Real Estate Division, with responsibility for maintenance of data in a time-sharing main frame using DML language, for management of a $300 million annual budget for rental property administered by GSA, and for management analysis and documentation of reports for the Division. Supervised 8-10 employees. For one year of my tenure, served as a Program Manager on a task force responsible for the management of a contract to design and install a new GSA networked mini-computer system.

Stansbury:Design, Inc., Greenbelt, MD 1973 - 1975

Originally hired as an Administrative Assistant, promoted to project assistant for typesetting, illustration, and sales rep. (This was a very small publication design firm.)

Church of Scientology, on research ship off coast of Portugal 1972 - 1973

As Director of Promotion, designed the layout and wrote information pieces and flyers. In addition, did some illustration.

Education

MPA; George Washington University.
(Emphasis on Project Management and Management Analysis.)
BA, Humanities; Antioch College

References:

Please inquire

Professional Memberships

The Writer’s Center, Bethesda, MD.
Publishers’ Marketing Association
The Art League of Alexandria
The League of Reston Artists (former newsletter editor for 8 years)