General Aviation News, Washington, DC 01/2014 – Present

Aviation Safety Columnist

• Created my own niche as an aviation safety subject matter expert by analyzing Aviation Safety Reporting System reports to build my brand as a science reporter

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• Responsible for delivering a high-impact, monthly, 1500-word column which examines pilot-induced error reports by category, and gives a scientific analysis of corrective actions. My column is consistently the #1 or #2 landing spot on generalaviationnews.com

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• Developed an aviation safety, magazine column by researching, categorizing and analyzing pilot reports submitted to the FAA’s Aviation Safety Reporting System to make those highly educational-but-very technical reports more broadly accessible to general aviation and student pilots
   

• Increased traffic to the General Aviation News website by a providing consistent, high quality written product to satisfy finicky readers

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Veteran Compost, Washington, DC 05/2012 – 05/2016

Regional Marketing Manager

• Introduced Veteran Compost into the Washington, DC-area market through a coordinated, four-pronged, direct marketing campaign that involved creating print, online video, farmers market and radio projects

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• Developed and executed a media marketing campaign by writing, directing and producing a short form company biopic, a 30-second, and a 15-second promotional video to introduce Veteran Compost to the untapped Washington, DC-area market
   

• Established a market for Veteran Compost goods and services by deploying an online marketing campaign and an in-person marketing campaign targeting local farmers’ markets and green festivals to turn Veteran Compost into a household name

 

• Grew the company from zero customers in the DC area to over 1,000 in three years by training its combat veteran employees to the same standards of customer service found in five-star resort hotels using an operations and procedures manual I wrote, to distinguish the company from its competitors

Atlantic Flyer, Washington, DC 02/2012 – 2013

aviation columnist

• Wrote monthly column featuring the exploits of Victor Kilo, a middle-age pilot, as he strives to return to the ranks of active general aviation pilots after a several year layoff

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FREELANCE JOURNALIST, Washington, DC/LOS ANGELES, CA 1997 - PRESENT

• Currently freelance reporter for AOPA Flight Training and Diverse magazines

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• Pitched ideas for, and wrote articles for Black Enterprise, Transpacific, and British Vogue magazines

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• Occasional columnist for Santa Monica Daily Breeze

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Walt disney studios, BURBANK, CA 02/1996 – 02/1997

WALT DISNEY WRITING FELLOW/CONTRACT WRITER

• ​Pitched sitcom show ideas, received feedback on, wrote outlines and scripts for the Walt Disney Studios under a one-year contract

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BLACK ENTERTAINMENT TELEVISION, WASHINGTON, DC 01/1984 – 09/1987

NEWS/SPORTS WRITER

• ​Responsible for researching and writing sixty second and two-minute news and sports cut-ins; also responsible for editing footage for same

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• Responsible for researching and writing sixty and ninety-minute sports and music documentaries; also responsible for editing and directing post-production for same

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Atlantic Coast Airlines, Independence Air, AirTran Airways, Linear Air, Washington, DC 10/2000 – 10/2009

Airline Captain

• Managed First Officers in flight planning, ground and flight operations, including weather interpretation, navigational and load planning. Represented the airline to highest standards demonstrating impeccable flight standards and outstanding customer service.