Theresa Welsh Resume

Professional Summary

Availability

I am available for temporary assignments as a writer, editor or web content-creator. I can provide:

Professional Experience

9/07 to 8/09

Technical Writer     Reliance Software Systems

• Worked onsite at the Henry Ford Health System in Detroit with IT professionals, creating an Electronic Medical Record (EMR) application.
• Created an extensive Help system for a web-based EMR, using Adobe RoboHelp; provided writing/editing support for application messages and internal utilities.

  NOTE: I left this position in July 2009 to begin semi-retirement and pursue my own projects.

5/06 to 8/06

Documentation Specialist     Sapphire Technologies (assigned to Comerica Bank)
            short-term contract

• Analyzed an unfinished project to create a website that documents the network infrastructure at Comerica's Livonia Operations Center; presented a written report to the manager suggesting changes and a schedule for completion of the project
• Following acceptance of the plan, redesigned and coded a new user interface for the website
• Worked with network engineers to define needed data and determine collection method
• Trained the network engineers in use of the website

11/1/04 to 12/05

Technical Writer      MSX International (assigned to Ford Motor Company)

• Edited a monthly newsletter (PageMaker and HTML) covering company information and technical topics of interest to scientists and engineers; determined topics, wrote articles, created the layout
• Managed the content for a support web site and created most of the pages using an HTML editor
• Created special-topic online newsletters as needed (including one on the implications to Ford of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act)
• Worked with residents of the Research & Innovation Center to create web pages or web forms, after consulting with them about their specialized needs
• Worked twice-monthly Help Desk shifts and handled requests for help with Microsoft Office applications, Adobe Acrobat, website creation and in-house software
• Worked with staff to define and test changes to in-house web-based software
• Managed a project to create a Business Continuity Plan; arranged meetings; obtained information and put it into a formal structure to be reviewed by stakeholders; completed the document which was used as a model for other IT organizations

1994 to 11/04

Technical Writer      Explainamation (assigned to Ford Motor Company)

• Initiated a monthly newsletter covering business and technical topics of interest to researchers
• Developed materials and taught a mini-class on how to make better presentations, in response to researchers' need to more effectively demonstrate their work to the rest of the company
• Received an award in 2001 for work as technical advisor and writer for Ford Research Technically Speaking newsletter which covered Research people and projects
• Created presentations (using PowerPoint) for the manager and supervisors as needed; worked with many groups at the Research Lab, including the staff working with other auto companies on the "clean car" initiative - created slides for them that were shown in the White House
• Arranged meetings and kept minutes for the Computer User Advisory Group
• Coordinated materials for Virtual Collocation Day, created the written program containing summaries of topics and speakers, then created an executive summary of the event

1994 to 1997

Consultant      Explainamation (multiple contracts with Ford Motor Company)

• Edited a newsletter for Product Development (PD) from 1997 to 2000; met with supervisors to determine contents; wrote articles and created the layout; received feedback from audience
• Edited a newsletter for PD Business Interface; worked with a coordinator to determine topics; created presentations as needed
• Worked with Ford's Organizational Learning group, arranging seminars, creating a website and developing presentations

4/90 to 9/93

Technical Writer       Comprehensive Data Processing (assigned to Ford Motor Co)

• Designed and wrote reference cards, Help files, and software user and technical guides
• Attended and documented executive learning sessions
• Created presentations; coordinated slide show presentations, working with an in-house graphics department or outside service bureau
• Served on work groups to select desktop publishing and document viewing tools for UNIX workstations; attended demos; developed criteria, evaluated many products

8/86 to 4/90

Technical Writer      Electronic Data Systems (EDS)

• Recommended, installed, and implemented a desktop publishing system for Dealer Systems Documentation team; installed a LAN; supported hardware/software
• Specified and ordered printing from printing vendors (over $250,000 worth)
• Created on-screen product demos used at the National Auto Dealers Association show
• Interviewed and evaluated candidates for technical writing or editing positions
• Designed and wrote technical manuals for use in auto dealerships.

1/86 to 8/86

Owner / Writer      Power Prose

• Operated a writing service; wrote resumes, letters, and business flyers for customers
• Used early code-based electronic typesetting to create attractive documents

1980 - 1985

Owner / Manager      AlphaBit Communications, Inc

• Co-owned and managed a software company specializing in word processing software
• Set up office, hired and supervised employees
• Designed and wrote all manuals, product announcements, publicity releases, ads, product flyers
• Published and edited a newsletter for users of the Lazy Writer word processor
• Demonstrated products; provided top-level product support by phone and mail
• Worked with Detroit College of Business student intern program, evaluating students who worked as part-time employees.

prior to 1980

Free-Lance Writer/Photographer

• Completed free-lance writing and photography assignments, specializing in publications work; many publication credits for articles that appeared in local and national magazines
• Operated a photo darkroom
• Worked for State of Michigan during college as a social services caseworker, then worked as an employment counselor after graduation

Publications

• (2007) Authored (along with David Welsh) a book about the early computer software business, Priming the Pump: How TRS-80 Enthusiasts Helped Spark the Computer Revolution. The book has received excellent reviews. See the book website: www.microcomputerpioneers.com. (Theresa also created the website)
• (2006) Edited Quantum Pythagoreans by Mike Ivsin, a new book on physics; corrected grammar and offered suggestions on ways to improve the content
• (2004-05) Edited and revised manuscripts for the Allan Kardec Educational Society (AKES) translated from Portuguese for publication in English-language versions; wrote an Introduction for The Messengers and was a speaker at the booklaunch in August, 2005
• (2002) Worked on The Role of Business in Modern Society, planned as a college textbook, with Dr. Barbara A. Gutek and Dr. Lee Beach of the University of Arizona.
• (2000) Co-authored The Brave New Service Strategy with Dr. Barbara A. Gutek, doing interviews and writing all chapters; published by AMACOM; the book was named "one of the thirty best business books of 2000" by Soundview Executive Book Summaries.
      "This is an extremely well-written book. The authors are obviously excellent communicators and give wonderful examples in order to make their points." (amazon.com review)
• (2000) Wrote a novel for young adults, Tara: Initiate of Heliopolis, published in 2000 by Hats Off Books. A short novel for young adults, The Missing Jewelry, is published online.
• Have published in the journal for Society for Technical Communication (STC), InterComm; past presenter at STC meetings
• My article, "Year 2000 - We're Not Moving Fast Enough," which appeared in Ford Technically Speaking, was chosen as the best business article of 1998

Book Reviewer
I manage and create the content for The Seeker Books website at www.theseekerbooks.com. I am also an active reviewer on amazon.com and am a member of the Vine program, a group of influential amazon reviewers who receive advance copies of new books for review.