Strategic Planning Lead for U.S. Department of State Contract for the Bureau of Consular Affairs’ Office of Consular Systems and Technology (CST). Consular Affairs serves as the face of the Department of State and CST provides the technology for more than 100 discrete systems including those dealing with visas, passports, consular records of birth abroad, posts, embassies, and consulates.

CJIS, N-DEx, NICS, LEEP

As a Program Analyst for the FBI’s National Data Exchange (N-DEx) program, a system used for information sharing between criminal justice agencies, I worked on a variety of program functions including requirements, business processes, and communications. Pat of my focus was on N-DEx communication and outreach efforts as the program retooled its marketing and outreach mechanisms. To that end, I worked on a communication plan involving a variety of stakeholders including: FBI management, system developers, end users, data submitters, state and agency liaisons, and other actors in the criminal justice lifecycle. This involved maintaining strong relationships with these stakeholders to ensure they felt comfortable sharing with me what we, as a Program Office (PO), could do better. Additionally, I wrote articles and worked to get them published in state, local, agency, and targeted audience forums including magazines, web sites, newsletters and mass emailers. When necessary, I represented the (PO) at functions and events. I participated in working groups to develop requirements for new functionality on the system. I participated in requirements reviews, and document program processes while evaluating them for improvement. I also developed, implemented and maintained reporting systems as required by the Program Management Office. I attended integrated product team and technical working group meetings to provide guidance on the development of requirements, plans, and standards. Furthermore, I assisted the government in reporting activities, including conducting a variety of studies and analyses to develop and document law enforcement regional analysis.

Facilitated online speech classes for South University, based in Georgia. Used video cameras, discussion boards, email and phone calls to instruct both traditional and non-traditional students in the theory and practice of public speaking.

As a Product Trainer for NGIT/NGIS’s Automated Biometrics Information System (ABIS) program, a CMMI Level 3 multi-modal biometrics solution, I worked mainly with the end-users of the ABIS software to ensure they understood how the system worked and how it applied to their everyday jobs. To that end, I was instrumental in working with developers and end-users to create an Operation’s Manual and many SOPs along with computer-based training and a virtual library in which to store the knowledge our training team compiled. I also assisted with new hire orientation for the development side of the contract. Additionally, I worked closely with the Watch Desk Manager and individual end users to gather and document new requirements or current system defects while working with the software development team to track these issues until they were resolved in future software releases.

Served as Configuration Analyst for NGIT’s Automated Biometrics Information System (ABIS) program, a CMMI Level 3 multi-modal biometrics solution. As a part of my duties, I managed configuration items and software builds, assisted in Engineering Review Board (ERB) meetings, Change Control Board (CCB) meetings, and developed/improved processes for the program. I also archived all information and acted as a single point of contact for matters of record within the program. I created queries and reports using IBM Rational ClearQuest and Crystal Reports and helped other team members, when needed, to devise queries for their specific needs.

Served as TW lead on Automated Biometrics Information System (ABIS, DoD), leading a team of 3 TWs and working closely with all functional areas to instruct and improve the timely delivery and quality of all program/project/task documentation. Assisted QA Manager and Configuration Documentation Manager in maintaining QA/CM on documents and document quality. Worked as part of a team to develop requirements process for LM Line of Business. Also implemented Lean/Six Sigma interpretations on projects. Learned/used TQM principles to improve documentation process and wrote Process Work Instructions (PWI), including a PWI on how to write a PWI. Assisting in efforts to bring Line of Business into compliance with CMMI Level 3 criteria. Assisted in creation/editing of test plans/procedures against the DOJ Lifecycle Management Documentation and ensured documentation also complied with contract CDRLS (DIDs). Created/cleaned up graphics and diagrams as needed.Served as TW lead on TRDP (DOJ), leading a team of 4 TWs and working closely with all functional areas to facilitate and improve the timely delivery of all program/project/task documentation. Served as backup for TRDP QA Lead. Worked closely with QA lead to ensure timeliness and quality of documentation and processes while maintaining a balanced workload for other TRDP technical writers. Lead process efforts to develop templates, naming schemas, and numbering conventions and other improvements to ensure documentation/deliverable reflects client and CDRL requirements. Serve on Process Improvement teams to make a leaner, easier process, while improving the quality of TRDP products and services. Our LM installation worked to make all processes CMMI Level 3 compliant.

Worked on the Foundation’s National Product Line Asset CEnter (NPLACE) initiative with the U.S. Air Force. including Common Operating Environment testing, Global Command and Control System testing, military-related software segments, Virtual Enterprise Systems Integration Laboratory, and a Service Oriented Architecture (SOA) development/commercialization efforts. My duties included managing all program deliverables (documentation) and associated data (code), using MS SourceSafe and CVS, defining and improving development processes (using RUP on one project, ISO 9001:2000 on another, and relating the overall mixture to CMMI standards.) I reviewed and edited test procedures for accuracy and developed QA templates. I worked with the project manager to institute Rational Requisite Pro and parts of the Team Unifying Platform (TUP) for agile development on a small team.I served on the steering committee for the implementation of the ISO 9001:2000 standard at the Foundation’s NIAP lab. In this effort, I acquired certification as an ISO 9001:2000 Internal Auditor Training. On the development side, I worked with the Rational Unified Process and CMMI standards. I developed a Configuration/Change Management plan for NPLACE on NetCentric software development and evaluation efforts. As part of the NPLACE NetCentric Warfare effort, I served as Configuration Manager and handled branding and marketing.In my role as a technical writer/editor, I wrote, rewrite, and edited copy, and assisted in the formulation of schedules and proposals, SOWs, SOOs, white papers, etc. I assisted in development and maintenance of the NPLACE Web site as well as a brochure for Criterian Independent Labs, a National Information Assurance Partnership (NIAP) certification lab. I devised the name for the Foundation’s NetCentric Warfare lab focusing on a Service Oriented Architecture. Served as a member of the WVHTC Foundation’s Technology Services team.

Instructor for the West Virginia Junior College Bridgeport Campus. Teach evening classes to non-traditional students two – four nights per week. My class load included: Database Applications, Spreadsheet Applications, Introduction to Multimedia, Word Processing Theory, Word Processing Applications, English Composition, and Computer Topics.

Lead Technical Writer for Science Applications International Corporation Division 1181 in Fairmont, WV, a SEI CMMI Level 5 operation. I interacted closely with QA and CM functional areas as I created and maintained technical documentation throughout the project lifecycle for ATIS, a database library and search engine created for the U.S. Navy. Created Web-based and 32-bit help systems for ATIS. Served as a member of the division’s Process Technology Improvement Group (PTIG) where we outlined and instituted measures that helped us transition from a CMM Level 3 to CMMI Level 5 environment. My regular duties included learning new features of the ATIS software, and translating that knowledge into printed and Web-formatted documentation for use by members of the U.S. Navy. This included building Help systems in Web-based and 32-bit formats. I also assisted with test procedures, schedules, proposals, SOWs, SOOs, white papers.

Editor in Chief for Duquesne University’s weekly student newspaper with a circulation of 4,000 papers reaching an audience of 10,000+ readers. During the school year, I managed the paper’s day-to-day operations, as well as line editors, reporters, and business personnel. These duties included: coaching reporters, managing assignments, business, production, and advertising. I also handled general management of the newspaper including budgeting and personnel, as well as both long and short-range planning.

I worked as a graduate assistant in the Duquesne University Department of Communication and Rhetorical Studies. I assisted faculty and staff members by teaching basic newswriting, advanced newswriting, and editing for print. I also graded students writing, while helping them get their stories published in the University newspaper.

Reporter and Photographer for The Preston County Journal and The Preston County News. My duties included covering assigned beats, writing spot news, profiles, and special editions. I was responsible for taking and developing photographs on all assignments, and developing film/making prints on deadline.