Karen Vesey Email & Phone Number

Greater Tampa Bay Area

Various

In my spare time, I manage a side-hustle providing ad hoc professional writing, editing, and marketing communications services for a variety of customers. Project highlights include the following:Proposal Writer/Editor. Collaborated with proposal teams on the proposal development and writing process in response to federal Requests for Proposals (RFPs). I specialized in managing past performance and corporate experience volumes as well as providing final copy editing to ensure consistency of content, style, and voice. Companies worked for included Vertex, Unisys, Dyncorp, and ALM Inc.Resume Writer. Worked with and helped coach active job seekers writing resumes, cover letters, and LinkedIn profiles. Focused on maximizing content for applicant tracking systems.Copyeditor. Partnered with Walt Breede, author of the Alan Llewelyn series, to edit and proof four novels (Snow on the Golden Horn, The Altar Stone, Brainstorm, and Sanity Check).Journalist. Wrote multiple feature-type stories for Portico, a Jackson, Mississippi-based magazine. I interviewed sources and drafted articles that ranged from 500 to 2,000-word articles, usually within short timeframes to meet publication deadlines.Writer/Editor. Developed website content and ghost-wrote technical whitepaper (Beyond the Hype) for a newly launched business process outsourcing company. I've also written corporate profiles, executive biographies, and blog posts.

Greater Tampa Bay Area

Tampa, Florida, United States

Iron EagleX, Inc. (IEX) is the fastest growing company in one of the fastest growing cities in the country. I moved to beautiful Tampa Bay to be closer to family and was lucky to land in my current job working for an innovative, fast moving, forward-facing company as a proposal coordinator. Because IEX is a small business, "proposal manager" covers a lot of roles, from leading the RFP analysis, response outline and strategy, and content development and substantive editing to managing reviews, desktop publishing, and final production and delivery. I've also been able to leverage my research and writing skills to redesign the IEX website and contribute to billable projects. While with IEX, I actively managed 20+ major proposal efforts that have resulted in nine awards in support of the Department of Defense and the Intelligence Community.

Clearwater, Florida

In the three years I worked for the Premier Family of Companies, I consistently took on more responsibility, growing from technical and marketing writing to complex content management. I planned, created, and executed content strategies designed to drive engagement and meet business goals for a family of companies that includes healthcare, insurance, and hospitality. As the editor-in-chief for content across all platforms (digital and print), I ensured quality, clarity, brand and voice consistency, and compliance with appropriate regulations and requirements. I had the opportunity to write across a variety of topics, editorial styles, formats, and distribution channels, including technical documentation, RFP/RFI responses, marketing communications material, web content, and social media. I created original content, adapted client and partner content, and curated and edited other writers' content with the goal of continuously improving the companies' reach, engagement, and quality. I also stayed updated on industry trends and adjusted our content strategy as needed. I brainstormed and collaborated with teams to generate new ideas and content strategies aligned with specific offerings that supported overarching corporate goals.Key achievements with CHS included development of comprehensive patient educational materials using evidence-based MCG care guidelines for chronic conditions including diabetes, COPD, CAD, asthma, CHF, and hypertension as well as behavioral health. This material is designed to help improve participants’ understanding of their health, enabling them to more fully participate in and manage their care and achieve their healthcare goals.I also played an instrumental role in the launch of SGIC, a new insurance company, and its initial product offerings. In addition to creating marketing materials and the website, I coordinated development of policy documentation and worked with consultants to ensure their approval at the state level.

Various

I have been lucky enough to spend some time in the classroom. As much as I love being a student, I also love being a teacher. I taught courses in language arts, essay writing, business writing, and communications and media technology. Worked with middle school, high school, undergraduate, and graduate students.

Ridgeland, Ms

While on sabbatical from the 9 to 5 corporate life, I worked as the head coach and a sales associate in a run specialty store. I oversaw 11 ongoing training programs that served 435 runners, walkers, and triathletes in the metro Jackson area. Screened, hired, trained, and supervised 42 coaches, mentors, and pacers for each training program. Established and nurtured relationships with local professionals (e.g., registered dietitian, physical therapists, chiropractors) to provide educational opportunities for the local running community. Grew existing programs, increasing participation across all by more than 30% and increasing training program revenue by 98% in 2015.

Madison, Ms And Fairfax, Va

Building on my proposal experience (which started with resume writing in the late 1980s), I was charged with leading the full lifecycle proposal development process for federal and state government agencies. For each of these companies, I managed, coordinated, wrote, edited, and reviewed large, complex competitive proposals valued at up to $500 million. My tasks included researching, sourcing, and writing technical and marketing content that supported solutions for aerospace, finance, military, and government administrative organizations. I led color team reviews (pink, red, gold) to ensure compliant, responsive, and compelling proposals. Wrote, edited, and ensured quality and accuracy of content. Ensured deadlines were met and managed multiple concurrent efforts. Supervised on- and off-site technical proposal writers.

Master Of Science (Ms), Management Communications

Bachelor Of Arts (Ba), English Language And Literature, General

Activities and Societies: News Editor, Touchstone; Intern, New York State Ombudsman Office; Intern, CNN Crossfire; Cross-country Team.