Professional Experience
2000 - present
Freelance Writer
- Developed Sparkin Productions, LLC to promote journalism and fiction writing
- Articles for View Arizona Highlife Magazine
- Biography entries for the Thomson Gale publications, including Contemporary Musicians, Newsmakers, Encyclopedia of World Biography and The Texas Project
- Articles regarding business and community issues for The Arizona Republic
- Articles for the West Express
- Scriptwriter for City of Phoenix Police Awards program intended for presentation at the Herberger Theater and presentation on local network
Ahwatukee Foothills Chamber of Commerce
1998 - 2000
Communications and Events Director
- Organized large-scale community events, including the Ahwatukee Foothills Fourth of July Fireworks and Family Fun Night, Ahwatukee Foothills Chamber Challenge Golf Tournament, Chamber Day Luncheon
- Organized monthly Business Breakfast Meetings and Evening Mixers
- Developed and published monthly newsletter
- Assisted in website development
Skills
- Professional journalism experience, consistently completing assignments on time and within prescribed parameters
- Proficient use of Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Quicken, Publisher, and Internet research
- Experience in business collaboration, fundraising, events coordination, newsletter publication, and community information
- Advanced experience in the medical health claims field
Education
College & University
Gustavus Adolphus College, Bachelor of Arts, 1985
Arizona State University, Reporting taught by Pete Aleshire; #1 in class, fall 2000
Arizona State University Advanced Forensic Anthropology, 2007
Continuing Education
Life Office Management Association (LOMA) coursework, 1986-1989
International Claim Association Education Program, ALHC designation, 1990
Phoenix Citizen Police Academy 2000
Community Policing Leadership Institute 2001
FBI Citizen Academy 2002
Society of Southwestern Authors Conference, 2001, 2006
Tour of Quantico and FBI Headquarters with Phoenix FBI Citizen Academy, 2005
National Novel Writer’s Month participation, 2005, 2006
Betty Webb Novel Writer’s Critique class, 2006
Desert Rose Romance Writer’s of America Desert Dreams Conference, 2006
International ThrillerFest, 2006
Tony Hillerman Writer’s Conference, 2006
Online Education and Networking
Carolina Romance Writers Online Class: Criminal Minds, June 2006
Carolina Romance Writers Online Class: Research for Writers, June 2006
Carolina Romance Writers Online Class: Freelance Writing, September 2006
Kiss of Death Online Class: Poisons, February 2007
Kiss of Death Online Class: Murder Two, February 2007
Ask an Author (ongoing)
Crime Lab Project News List (ongoing)
Crime Scene Writers (ongoing)
Desert Rose 60 (ongoing)
Desert Rose Announcements (ongoing)
Desert Rose Craft (ongoing)
Hard-Boiled (ongoing)
Short Mystery Fiction Society (ongoing)
Society of Southwestern Authors (ongoing)
Scottsdale Writers Critique Group
Membership
Romance Writer’s of America, National Chapter
Romance Writer’s of America, Desert Rose Chapter
Romance Writer’s of America, Kiss of Death Chapter
Sisters in Crime, National Chapter
Sisters in Crime, Desert Sleuths Chapter
Society of Southwestern Authors
Volunteer Work and Service to the Community
Desert Rose Romance Writer’s of America Desert Dreams
Conference, 2008, Committee Member
Minnesota School District #622 Blue Ribbon Task Force
Minnesota School District #622 Community Education Advisory Council
Neighborhood Block Watch Captain
Phoenix Citizen Police Academy Alumni Association, Board of Directors
Phoenix FBI Citizen Academy Alumni Association, Member
Sisters in Crime, Desert Sleuths, Chapter Secretary
Skyview Community School Planning and Design Committee