Susan Bertone Email & Phone Number

Editing a self-help book written by a psychologist.Writing a novel in the genre of women's literature.

Monroeville, Pa

- Edited engineering reports, research papers, business continuity plan, and security plans.- Completely revised and significantly expanded the corporate style guide. Tasks included establishing the format for technical references; researching and writing sections on grammar, usage, and style; and developing appendices that address topics such as streamlining text. Also completely revised and expanded the corporate formatting guide for administrative personnel.- Developed a “writer’s workshop” PowerPoint presentation, along with leave-behind reference materials. Presentation provides an overview of grammar rules, addresses common errors, and offers suggestions for improving conciseness and clarity.

Moon Township, Pennsylvania

- Developed and edited text for employee resumes and project descriptions. Project description development required interpreting engineering scopes of work.- Devised the corporate standard format for project description development, which is based on the “inverted pyramid” style of news writing. Wrote reference manual to guide new technical writers in structuring descriptions, researching information, interviewing designated project managers, and addressing applicable industry “hot topics” in description development. - Edited a variety of technical documents, including reports for pipelines, highways, and bridges; master plans for airports and for the West Virginia capitol complex; homeland security operations plans and federal hazard mitigation planning guides; and government request-for-proposal documents. Pipeline report tasks included participating in conference calls with Baker technical managers, subconsultants, and pipeline operators; preparing summaries of pipeline operator interviews; and revising text for mechanical damage study reports submitted to the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration. Also edited pipeline integrity management reports prepared for the U.S. Office of Pipeline Safety.- Co-authored a grammar guide that serves as a reference tool for marketing coordinators companywide. - Developed a comprehensive grammar slide presentation that reviews key concepts and also addresses errors frequently encountered by the Baker technical writing team. Beta-tested the presentation with internal marketing managers. Presented the slideshow to the company’s aviation group and select external clients. Developed leave-behind reference materials.- Collaborated with bridge engineer and co-authored article on the Blennerhassett Island Bridge design for Roads & Bridges magazine. - Edited and wrote website articles for Baker’s corporate communications department.

Moon Township, Pennsylvania

- Served as the company's lead prequalification coordinator. Prepared submittals that prequalified Baker to provide professional services for state departments of transportation and other entities. - Prepared statements of qualification and proposals for transportation projects. Coordinated with subconsultant firms to obtain required data. Wrote and edited cover letters. - Wrote and edited project descriptions based on engineering scopes of work.

Harrisburg, Pennsylvania Area

- Revised existing publicity materials and developed new publicity pieces for PennDOT's "Give 'em a Brake" work zone safety campaign; coordinated the kickoff press conference and statewide program implementation.- Planned and coordinated the preparation of special lobby displays featuring PennDOT employees and their accomplishments.- Served as co-editor for the department's statewide employee newsletter, Perceptions.- Served as editor for the department's statewide welcome center employee newsletter.- Wrote articles for trade publications. - Wrote copy for brochures highlighting PennDOT's products and services.- Prepared responses on behalf of the secretary of transportation and department directors to correspondence from legislators, PennDOT employees, and the general public.- Created and implemented an employee communications/recognition plan, designed to enhance internal communications and morale. Revised plan annually.- Assisted the director in preparing briefings on key events involving the secretary of transportation, including materials for the governor's "Capital for a Day" activities.- Assumed lead responsibility for preparation of the office's budget presentation.- Assumed office management responsibility in the absence of the director.

Harrisburg, Pennsylvania Area

- Prepared briefings for executive staff.- Wrote press releases on highway and bridge project awards, groundbreakings and ribboncuttings, employee accomplishments, and program and policy changes.- Edited the department's annual report and various public information materials.- Assisted the press secretary in coordinating news events involving the secretary of transportation and the governor.- Served as spokesperson for media inquiries concerning PennDOT programs and policies.

Master Of Arts (M.A.), Communications

Bachelor Of Arts (B.A.), English