Thomas Barker Email & Phone Number

Brief Overview: Regional Editor, Northwest BC (2021 to Present) | Editor, Smithers Interior News (2019 to 2021) ► Recruited to oversee the development and delivery of impactful content across multiple multimedia platforms while maintaining high editorial standards. Directly involved in leading strategic communications activities, driving technology initiatives, and managing geographically diverse teams to ensure optimal performance.► Oversee operations of seven newsrooms, managing a team of 6-7 journalists across diverse locations including Vancouver, Paris, and Ecuador. Directed content creation and editorial strategy for all newsrooms to ensure timely and accurate content delivery across multiple platforms.► Develop and implement content strategy across print and digital platforms. Successfully increased engagement and online readership by 25% annually while tripling social media following.► Direct daily content for five newspapers, ensuring quality through meticulous copy editing and adherence to journalistic standards. Supervise the production of 1-2 stories per day per market, with 10 stories per weekly print edition.► Cultivate extensive networks with government officials, industry leaders, and community organizations to secure exclusive stories and foster collaborative initiatives.

Brief Overview: ► Successfully expanded Fine Lifestyles magazine suite from one to seven titles, and grew the editorial team from one person to six editors plus several staff writers. Effectively managed editorial staff and coordinated dozens of freelance writers, photographers, and designers to produce high-quality content.► Created engaging, accurate content across various formats, covering local news, features, and multimedia stories, significantly enhancing digital presence and maintaining high editorial standards.► Wrote and edited for various publications, including newspapers, magazines, and online platforms across different regions, covering a wide range of topics and stories.► Recognized with multiple awards, including the 2008 CCNA Best Feature Story and the 2016 SWNA Best News Story.

Brief Overview: ► Oversaw all municipal operations and capital projects, including managing a public works employee, closing and opening landfill sites, and coordinating small-scale paving projects. Responsible for hiring contractors and managing bids for various projects.► Reduced unpaid property taxes by 90% by implementing systematic procedures in accordance with provincial legislation, including sending notices, making phone calls, and following up through prescribed steps to ensure compliance.► Leveraged technology background to migrate the village’s financial system from paper to digital. Developed a custom program to automate the transfer of tax roll data, significantly reducing manual data entry, minimizing human error, and saving weeks of labor.► Created and maintained budgets, ensuring that expenditures and revenues were aligned. Regularly updated and advised the municipal council on financial matters and ongoing projects to ensure transparency and informed decision-making.

Brief Overview: ► Oversaw the design, construction, and management of a municipal area computer network for the City of Austin Police Department, facilitating enhanced operational efficiency and data security.► Managed the implementation of critical initiatives including the Automated Fingerprint Identification System and the migration of Computer Aided Dispatch from Mainframe, ensuring seamless integration and functionality.► Directed a technical team responsible for a regional integrated law enforcement management system across central Texas, ensuring project milestones were met on time and within budget.► Received commendation from the Chief of Police for successfully coordinating projects to integrate fingerprint systems with the FBI and deploy laptops in police cruisers, demonstrating strong collaboration with internal and external stakeholders.

Brief Overview:► Executed the installation and integration of a Windows NT-based personnel management system across three different network platforms used by various branches of the Department of National Defence (DND).

Brief Overview:► Played a key role in designing, developing, and coding an online product information system, enhancing accessibility and usability for internal and external users alike. Applied coding skills to create a user interface within the online database system, optimizing information retrieval processes and UX.► Spearheaded the automation of the manual creation process by developing a centralized database system, giving customers online access to a central repository of instructions for various products.► Led the integration of a Windows-based network into the primary Apple network. Managed and configured the Windows NT network environment, ensuring seamless communication between different network platforms and overcoming technical challenges.

Bachelor Of Science (1994)

Municipal Administration (2009)