Max Romero Email & Phone Number

Greater Chicago Area

I'm an independent media professional with a background in newspapers and magazines, online publishing, and research. I also have a working knowledge of social media and podcasting. As an editor and proofreader with a deep understanding of both disciplines, I have practiced in the fields of prose fiction, special education, finance, and state government. I have also written skillfully on a wide variety of topics as a professional writer and reporter.I'm also an expert in a comprehensive range of editing styles, including the Chicago Manual of Style, the Associated Press Stylebook, the American Psychological Association Production Manual, and various in-house style guides.I'm proficient in cloud-based interfaces including:• ZenDesk (Knowledge Center/articles)• Google Workspace• Dropbox and other cloud-based storage/file transfer• WordPress and Blogger• Social media platforms (Facebook Pages, Twitter, Instagram, etc.)I also have broad expertise in Acrobat, InDesign, Photoshop, and other Adobe Creative Suite programs; Word, Excel, and additional Office programs; and both Apple and PC-based operating systems.Clients have included:• Beaver's Pond Press, an independent book publisher of fiction and non-fiction manuscripts• PRO-ED, Inc., publisher of books, tests, and assessment and therapy materials for the special education field• Sheshunoff Information Services, a financial institution consulting and information service• Hammill Institute on Disabilities, a non-profit publisher of professional journals focused on special education• National and regional magazines such as Austin Monthly and Back Issue; daily newspapers including the San Antonio Express-News and the Dallas Morning News; and pop culture website Forces of Geek.com• Professional and educational organizations including the El Paso Black Chamber of Commerce, El Paso Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, and University of Texas at El Paso

Offsite

Provide member support via chat interface, phone, and email for applicants and participants who use the UpTogether platform. Putting the values of social and economic equity in the forefront, I assist members and applicants in filing verification forms, tracking form statuses, setting up platform accounts, and provide clarity on banking and other confidential information to members as needed. Provide answers for people who are often under economic stress, encourage self-sufficiency, and offer support in a way that emphasizes respect, dignity, and empathy.I've also gained proficiency in online platforms including:• Intercom• Aircall• Stripe• RStudio• ZenDesk (Knowledge Center/articles, Chat Support, Phone Support)• Google Workspace

Austin, Texas Area

Drafted congratulatory and memorial resolutions to be presented to the constituency of various members of the state House of Representatives. Resolutions varied in topic, and included commendations recognizing awards, anniversaries, and special achievements, as well as memorials acknowledging the passing of citizens from districts throughout the state. The work required a high degree of independence and completion of assignments on a strict deadline.

Austin, Texas Area

Duties included copy editing analyses of bills authored by members of the state House of Representatives in preparation for committee debate and final vote. The work required a high degree of content and contextual editing, research, consistent cross-referencing with state statute, and regular consultation with drafters and reviewers. I also acted as senior copy editor, overseeing a staff of five copy editors and serving as a point-person for questions on style, grammar, and context, and helped to maintain a high workflow on strict deadlines.

Provided wide-ranging support in the production of books, tests, and other special education assessment materialsDuties included:• proofreading• creating/modifying graphics for print• coordinating with authors, typesetters, printers, freelancers• conversions from PDF and InDesign to Word to create updated files for editing and layout• formatting InDesign and Adobe Acrobat files for accessibility• building/maintaining a networked archive system

Served on the copy desk for the daily city newspaper. Responsibilities included editing daily wire and in-house copy for content and length, writing headlines, page design and layout, and pagination. Frequently was responsible for 1A and Business sections. All duties were completed within a strict deadline