Thom Haller Email & Phone Number

Washington, DC, US

Weston, West Virginia, United States

Purchased historic (1895) Weston home to preserve structure and provide a community resource*Worked with initial contracting team to change locks and remove years worth of professional debris from attic and throughout building* Discussed buildling viability with community residents/contractors* Opened up former dentist's cubicle office to see possibilities.

Engaging in Multi-year project to improve a historic 1901 structure built by Washington DC architect Waddy Wood (Woodrow Wilson house, etc.)*Completed extensive improvement to building and winnowing of “hoarded” contents*Conducted a structural assessment. Selected contracting support and completed a thorough review of the townhouse's structural condition..

Washington DC

Completed (somewhat emotional) move of furniture and belongings within short timeframe*Responded to an emerging need to shift former studio (living and working space) into a home for family member transferring to DC for advanced schooling. Moved 35-years of home furniture and decor, office records collected ephemera and assorted memorabilia within 40 days..

Met goal to move into furnished home within one year*Envisioned new layout: Planned new space to meet goal of highlighting art collection while maintaining light-filled space. Assessed the open floorplan —determined the best use of available space, measured areas, considered furniture dimensions, collaborated with visual specialists, and created a layout.

Weston, West Virginia, United States

Nearby HelperFollowing a December 2007 purchase of a bungalow in my home town, I began shifting my responsibilities to support my parents, as called upon. Editor of Father's World War II Rememberances*Working from hand written notes and short explanations (due to my Father's COPD challenges with gathering enough oxygen for prolonged speech) shaped.

Washington D.C. Metro Area

Independent Consultant, Teacher, and AdvisorFollowing 25 years of teaching, I shifted to supporting family in different care-giving capacities while providing individual and small group coaching. Maintained a communication studio for individual coaching and strategic consulting (https://studioqdc.business.site/) Worked specifically on solving problems.

Weston WV; Washington DC

*Communicated information (using handwritten messages and other means) regarding my mother’s passing to different groups of people; *Organized, events and receptions for November, January, and March; Managed reservation details and contracts with local resort; *Coordinated reception details with various parties *Crafted language and liturgy for assorted.

See Following Content

Washington DC

Faculty Award Winner; 25 years instruction to adult students. Develop curriculum and coach learning community through objective-based lessons.Classes included the following:* Information Architecture* Technical Writing* Creative Nonfiction* Storytelling Strategies for OrganizationsMore than a decade teaching strategies for crafting content so others can.

Write information architecture column for ASIS&T Bulletin.Samples:"Want to improve your coordination? Attend to patterns" http://bit.ly/tYSgS4"Is Information Architecture dead?" http://bit.ly/p43rxv"Good news for U.S. Citizens" http://bit.ly/tUZ47S "An information architecture story: reshaping plain language site" http://bit.ly/rNF3Om"What is Information.

Supported PLAIN as a volunteer -- helped shape and launch 2006 architecture. Responded to 2011 need for a new architecture by assembling a volunteer content strategy working group, and enlisting support from IA/UX students. Story here: http://www.asis.org/Bulletin/Aug-11/AugSep11_Haller.html

Washington D.C. Metro Area

• Founded Info.Design in 1998 to help organizations and individuals structure information so others could understand and use it. As a teacher and consultant, I helped people learn the fundamentals of information.
• Worked with executives, managers, and users in developing and testing communication products.
• Provided contract support in structuring information to help facilitate learning, improve efficiency, and to enhance customer satisfaction.
• Worked with clients to help them build electronic and print structures that would reduce training cost and enhance user performance.
• Focused on capacity building for individuals and organizationsContracts included work with the following organizations:
• AES Corporation

Worked as an instructor with the University of Maryland Professional Writing Program for more than ten years. Developed and ran fast-paced instructional seminars so as not to lose the attention of college juniors. As a teacher, I helped students overcome the shock that the academic writing structure they embraced as a freshman, would not support them in.

Served as Volunteer Director for the Center for Plain Language (http://www.centerforplainlanguage.com). During this time, Thom developed an organizational framework for plain language advocacy, education, research, and community. He represented the organization in speaking to colleagues united in a belief to make government and business content.

Washington D.C. Metro Area

• Significant experience writing for government officials, computer users, trade publication readers, and proposal reviewers. Varied experience developing text for computer based instruction, structuring and organizing.
• Developed performance-structured tool (print) enabling users to follow cumbersome award application process for the State of Maryland, Maryland Center for Quality and Productivity.(1997)
• Evaluated, redesigned, and produced sales training magazines for Xerox Corporation (subcontracted via Windwalker Corp.). (1996-97)
• Designed manual layout, provided guidance, improved accessibility to technical publication distributed to 500,000 users. (The Johns Hopkins University Center for Communication Studies) (1996)
• Coached corporate writers in the organization and layout of a manual designed to help users set-up and maintain network (BTI, Inc.) (1996)
• Researched and wrote series of success stories for National Head Start Association Publication, Promising Partnerships (1996)

Instructor, Instructor: Professional Writing, User Experience

Ma/Abt, Communications, Rhetoric

Ba,  Political Science (Minors: Speech Communication/Business Administration)

Activities and Societies: Graduated Magna Cum Laude

Education record