I. Serving as support to Grants and Contracts Division, Office of Planning, Research and Evaluation (OPRE),Health and Human Services (HHS)

Words to Say It began as an unofficial manuscript consulting service in 2004. My first clients were beginning fiction and nonfiction writers who sought advice on everything from grammar, narrative structure and plot development to the pros and cons of self-publishing.From 2011 to 2017, WTSI focused on producing company blog posts designed to improve SEO rankings. As the principal consultant, I wrote business newsletters, B2B and B2C web copy and white papers. Currently, I evaluate new non-fiction and fiction books for major publishing industry media outlets.

Writing evaluations of soon-to-be published non-fiction and fiction books for Kirkus Reviews online website. Areas of specialty include:• history• biography• memoir• communication• self-help• mystery/thriller• true crime fiction

I. Reviewed 2024 CalGrows grant applications from the California Department of Aging for fraudII. Revisited 2023 CalGrows grant payments for problems with eligibilityIII. Initiated payment to qualified 2024 Calgrows grant recipients

I. Reviewed state of Ohio grant applications for f 21st Century Community Learning Center (CCLC) federal grant programII. Reviewed applicants’ proposed evaluation plans and logic modelsIII. Prepared full written evaluations of all applications processed based on selection criteria

I. Reviewed high-volume Child and Adult Food Care (CACFP) federal grant applications, renewals and amendments from child and adult-care providers for Program Year 2022-23 while adhering to all TDA deadlinesII. Determined/verified eligibility for CACFP contracting entities (CEs) through CACFP database researchIII. Analyzed CE grant application budgets for Program Year 2023-24 using current and previous year budget data to ensure all amounts were within TDA-determined levels of acceptabilityIV. Communicated with CEs about all issues pertaining to incorrect or incomplete application data submittedV. Ensured that applications and contract updates were in compliance with federal and state policies

I. Reviewed/gathered manager approvals/tracking financial data for all Governor’s Extraordinary Emergency Funds (EFF) grant applicationsII. Maintained all relevant EEF records on SharePointIII. Revised vendor list of hospitals participating in the Uncompensated Trauma Care (UCC) funding program using data from the CAPPS Financial systemIII. Performed on-demand financial data look-ups for UCC funding recipientsIV. Processed monthly Regional Advisory Council paperwork updates for Budget OfficeV. Developed standard operating procedures for all projects assigned

I. Program Coordinator for $34 million Texas Natural Gas Vehicle Grant Program (TNGVGP) II. Developed/presented public informational TNGVGP webinar (October 2022)III. Created accessible TNGVGP documentation for Air Grants Division/Texas Emissions Reduction Program (TERP) website IV. Maintained up-to-date TNGVGP Teams information page for all program grant reviewers V. Assigned grant application reviews and served as main point of contact within Air Grants for all TNGVGP inquiriesVI. First-reviewed TNGVGP grant applications; trained other first reviewers as necessaryVII. Assisted Air Grants Division management and Contracts Division in applying rigorous quality control measures and ensured adherence to grant processing deadlinesVIII. Responded to general public inquiries regarding all TERP grant programsIX. Served as first reviewer for high volume Rebate Grants ProgramX. Maintained precise documentation of all grant review information for audit purposesXI. Reviewed, analyzed and did data entry for first- and second-round grant submissions to high volume Light Duty Motor Vehicles (LDMV) Program (spring-fall 2022)XII. Mentored Air Grant Division interns selected for the Mickey Leland Summer Intern Program (summer 2022)XIII. Scored Alternative Fuel Facilities Program (AFFP) grant applications (summer 2022)XIV. Participated in management review/analysis of legislative materials pertaining to creation of TGNVGP Request for Grant Application (RFGA)

I. Reviewed, analyzed, negotiated, tracked and approved grant submissions from Texas learning education agencies (LEAs) for funds available to schools through the CARES Act II. Verified funding amounts and adjusting grant applications as necessaryIII. Applied federal uniform administrative requirements, cost principles and financial accounting rules to grant negotiationsIV. Communicated to grantees via email and telephone to offer information, guidance and/or updates as well as assistance on TEA database systems (eGrants, TEAL and TGIF)V. Created notice of grant awards (NOGAs) and entering approved budgets in TGIF databaseVI. Maintained documentation, files, and records of grant review information for audit purposesVII. Served as a liaison between LEA stakeholders and TEA by attending staff and agency meetings, responding to information requests, and resolving grant-related issues and concerns

Multi-functioning specialist in the areas of curriculum and communication. Duties included:I. Curriculum Committee Event Coordination • Set up in-person meetings with various TCFP agency curriculum committees • Created documents for each meeting, took notes, ensured all agenda items discussed • Facilitated meetings through use of assistive technologies to access/alter curriculum documentII. Communication• Served as textbook publisher liaison; updating textbook collection in Curriculum + Library Divisions• Facilitated email information exchanges between agency and curriculum committees• Researched and answered student challenge questions to agency certification tests• Responded to stakeholder questions regarding curriculum mattersIII. Information Creation/Management• Spearheaded development of agency-wide standard operating procedures (SOP) manual• Contributed monthly articles for TCFP intra-agency newsletter• Submitted quarterly reports documenting activities and issues pertaining to TCFP curriculum and Library Divisions• Maintained, created and updated fire discipline curriculum and skills documents• Reviewed test banks and researched existing test questions for accreditation compliance and audit• Wrote test questions to maintain compliance with accreditation standards• Updated textbook and NFPA standard references for test questions in agency test bank database• Maintained online TCFP job board to ensure all posts were up-to-date and relevant• Answered all stakeholder questions regarding job posts• Served as as TCFP Records Management Liaison (trained through state of Texas TexLinx seminars)IV. General Management/Training• Organized online committee reviews of new and updated test questions• Oversaw/anticipated future projects in/for Curriculum Division• Assisted with cross-training initiative between Test and Curriculum Divisions

Taught part time for the SEU University Studies/General Education Division. Designed/taught courses in history, literature and cultural studies for domestic students from freshman to senior level. Mentored class members. Managed all student data, including emails, grades, attendance and papers through campus-wide digital interfacing system (Canvas). Attended in-house professional workshops. Assisted with end-of-term student/course/program assessments. Researched/wrote presentations for national and international conferences in areas of research interest (post-colonial literature/film). Taught first- and second-year composition to first-year SEU students. Designed special courses in university student skills (speaking, presenting, note-taking) for entering foreign students. Gave presentations on areas of research interest (storytelling) and on fostering international student success in the classroom. Trained in/implemented digital course management system (Canvas) to create online information centers for all courses taught. Created, organized and led informal faculty group that discussed topics of interest to teachers of international students. Served as informal group liaison to university administrators. Participated in group-created workshop seeking responses from students about their experiences with xenophobia.Course list:The Capstone CourseThe Caribbean in a Global ContextAmerican Dilemmas The American Experience World Literature/FilmFirst Year Studies - Freedom and Rights/English Composition I Rhetoric & Composition II Rhetoric & Composition IWriting Lab for International StudentsSpeaking and Listening for International Students Also served as an in-person and online writing tutor for students across all disciplines at SEU Writing Center.

Writing bi-monthly informational blog posts for an Austin real estate start-up specializing in mid-term rentals. Topics include tips for renters and for prospective mid-term landlords seeking rentals/tenants in the Austin area.

Wrote one to two educational posts/month for an Austin company specializing in the creation/distribution of zero-waste, all-local and organic compost.

Writing promotional copy for Amazon Publishing (A-Pub) imprints, including: 47 North (speculative fiction), Montlake Romance and Lake Union (women's/book club fiction), Thomas & Mercer (mystery/thriller), Waterfall Press (Christian/inspirational) and Skyscape (YA crossover). RESPONSIBILITIESWriting brief descriptions of indie books for back cover/book jackets. Copyediting author bios. Producing taglines and loglines. All promotional materials conform in style and tone to original text.

Wrote press releases for businesses involved in the Austin food/hospitality industry.RESPONSIBILITIESInterviewed clients by email, telephone or in person about updates to product lines/services. Wrote deadline-driven press releases and revised them according to PBPR specifications.

Wrote monthly 1000-word+ lifestyle articles about the people and places that make Austin one of the most vibrant and exciting cities in America. RESPONSIBILITIESPitched story ideas to editors and dialoging with them about articles. Interviewed article subjects in person/by telephone. Revised deadline-driven drafts according to editor specifications. Brainstormed with photographers to create images to accompany articles. Selected and captioned images from photo sessions for final magazine layout.

Specialized in writing articles/blogs for digital marketing campaigns. Clients included private sector small to medium-sized businesses located in the US and Canada. Researched each company to understand its history, mission, values, products and services as well as the issues important to each firm's target demographic. Produced engaging, easy-to-understand and informative content to answer common consumer questions or address consumer concerns about the business as well as (1) short and long-term solutions provided for target audiences, (2) previous clients'​ experiences with company products/services.Also wrote content for company web pages that highlighted company products, services and personnel. Showcased brands represented by clients. Used proven SEO techniques to help companies gain online attention, boost Google search rankings and convert website visits into sales. Businesses served included (among others): • South Austin Irrigation • Lone Star Self-Storage • Austin Pet & Bird Veterinarian Services • Herman Boswell Property Management • Sunshine Sunrooms • Formadrain • HPD Architects • Nicole Arnold Interiors

Wrote feature articles about the Dallas and Austin art scene. Conducted interviews with and evaluated work by local, national and international painters, sculptors and photographers. HIGHLIGHTSCover story ("Life in Black and White"​) on Houston-based photographer Jay Rusovich for Jan. 2012 edition

Interviewed members of the Dallas LGBT community for news and feature articles. HIGHLIGHTS:Cover story (“Sister Act”) on DFW Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence - April 1, 2011 edition Weekly coverage of Lone Star Ride Fighting AIDS (LSRFA) - May through September 2011

Developed and taught courses in first-year English composition for urban community college students. Attended faculty development workshops and participated in end-of-term student assessments. Served on ECC Aesthetics Committee and assisted in the selection of student artwork for campus purchase. Course list:Introduction to Composition Introduction to Literature

Wrote book reviews, entertainment and style features targeted towards a national LGBT audience. HIGLIGHTS:Interviews with singer/rapper Wendy Ho, comedian Paula Poundstone and writer Martin Moran for short feature articles about their work.

Developed and taught pre-composition, composition and introductory literature classes. Mentored students and attended faculty meetings. Course list:Developmental Writing Introduction to Composition Introduction to Literature Introduction to Modern Fiction

Researched/published articles and one book in the areas of gender /cultural studies and literature. Presented work at university-sponsored conferences and in special departmental forums and attended SIROW meetings. HIGHLIGHTS:Book: Allegories of Desire: Body Nation and Empire in Modern Caribbean Literature by Women (Praeger, 2004)

Developed and taught one undergraduate introductory course and one graduate specialty course in women's studies. Mentored students and attended faculty meetings. Course list:Gender in a Transnational World Women and the Body