OBJECTIVE

Increased readership and influence of ministry publications by capitalizing on a unique combination of creativity, message strategy and publications expertise to supply writing, editing, original graphics, layout and design to command attention and enlist cooperation.

BACKGROUND SUMMARY

Thirty years of varied communication and publication responsibilities include:

PROFESSIONAL HIGHLIGHTS

STRONG WEEKLIES: Pumped life and circulation into three weekly newspapers over the span of just two years for a Corpus Christi-area chain. First turned around both the "San Patricio County News" and the "Odem-Edroy Times" in 1994 to an arm-load of awards. Then successfully overhauled the "Portland News" in 1995. Personally covered city councils, police, school boards and sports.

CLUTCH COORDINATION: Directed "Arizona Republic" coverage of NBA Finals and Fiesta Bowls and "Albuquerque Tribune" coverage of NCAA Final Four. Often was called on to plan Republic's Sunday sports section layout during major events when nation's media was watching so the Phoenix paper could put its best foot forward.

STORY TELLING: Continually demonstrated there's something of interest in any person place or thing. I've shown the knack for empathizing with a topic, finding its appealing aspects and then recounting them in a way that captures readers' imaginations. Liberal use of direct quotes appears to let people tell their own story.

PUN-ISHING HUMOR: Appropriate puns and plays on words flow naturally and beneficially to brighten headlines, leads, copy and cutlines -- a competitive edge that makes for memorable editions. Done maturely, it adds much needed humor and spark to pages. Amusing, but not abusing, readers keeps them coming back for more.

AWARD-WINNING MEGASITE: Designed, constructed and promoted "The Write Answer" website that has grown into a multi-faceted domain and garnered more than 50 awards over the past calendar year. As a result, and as head of "Servants' Servant" website services, I pay close attention to the Internet's ever-changing nature and keep up with search and marketing techniques.

EMPLOYMENT HISTORY

Owner & director, Servants' Servant, a non-profit web design agency. I design and construct low-cost, high-quality web sites for Christian organizations, creating custom graphics and appropriate special effects. Crafted Holy-City.org, turning my personal ministry into a Christian megasite that's home to my wife's award-winning "Mommy & Me" To fund the agency, I've worked as a publications consultant for the "Malakoff News" and the Mabank  "Monitor" in Texas and as pastor of Liberty Baptist Church of Joes, CO. (Aug., 1997 -- present)
 
Managing editor, "Ellis County Press." Direct staff of five, while gathering and writing top news and features. Edit, layout and paginate pages using PageMaker 6.5.  (April., 2000 -- present)
 

Interim pastor, Hillcrest Baptist Church, Center, TX. Wrote regular "clergy columns" in two separate papers and produced a variety of communications and publications to promote and support church activities. (Aug., 1996 -- Aug., 1997)

Editor, "Light & Champion," Center, TX. Directed staff of five, providing top news stories and features, all front-page layout, most editing and much of the photography for an award-winning twice-weekly, county-wide paper. (Feb., 1996 -- Aug., 1996)
 

Editor, "Portland News," Portland, TX. Supplied almost all writing, all editing, layout and photography for an award-winning weekly that made a dramatic about-face to earn respect as well as rapidly growing circulation and advertising. (April, 1995 -- Feb., 1996)

Editor, "San Patricio County News" of Sinton, TX, and "Odem-Edroy Times." Responsible for circulation-building features and front-page layouts simultaneously for both San Patricio Publishing Company weeklies. (Jan., 1995 -- April, 1995)

Creative consultant, Austin, TX. Operated my own freelance writing and communications agency ("Write Answers"), using creativity and publications expertise to meet the communication needs of a wide variety of clients. (Nov., 1993 -- Dec., 1994)

Communications editor, Southwestern Public Service Co., Amarillo, TX. Responsible for writing, editing and producing highly acclaimed full-color magazine and weekly employee newsletter for "Fortune 500" electric utility. (1988 -- 1993)

Strategic communicator, Public Service Company of New Mexico, Alquerque, N.M. Provided persuasive messages and directed a wide variety of print communications: employee newspaper, educational and advertising campaigns. (1985 -- 1988)

Sports editor, "Albuquerque Tribune, Albuquerque, N.M. Directed eight-person staff, determining content and design of daily sports section (1981 -- 1985), capping a sportswriting career for such dailies as the "Arizona Republic" in Phoenix and the "Daily Oklahoman."

EDUCATION

University of Oklahoma -- Major: Journalism, minor: Latin

REFERENCES

Glenn Majors, director with Baptist General Convention of Texas.....	(214) 828-5298
Carl Smith, pastor of Center, TX, First Baptist Church.........................	(409) 598-5606
Delbert Serratt, director of missions for Blanco Association .............	(512) 358-9420
Betty Wilson, Trinity Baptist Church, Amarillo, TX...............................	(806) 378-2121