In my role as a Senior Technical Writer Contract at Trilyon, Inc., I am responsible for restructuring and writing user documentation for network automation products. This includes interviewing subject matter experts and specializing in structuring API-related documentation to enable user customization. Working remotely with a worldwide documentation team, I ensure the documentation is consistent and of high quality.

Lead writer in global teams developing user, administrator, and developer documentation for Cisco's network management applications: • Contributed to a simplified information architecture emphasizing documentation of end-user workflows and setup options with direct relevance to identified customer workplace issues.• .Transformed existing documentation to conform with the new information architecture and enable content re-use with DITA• Coached and assisted other team members during workplace transitions (onboarding and training new writers, managing work allocations, adapting to new tools and processes, enhancing collaboration, etc.).• Collaborated with and performed liason roles within wider product teams, including daily direct contacts and coordination with development and field engineering, QA testers, product marketing, sales, customer support, manufacturing, and user experience specialists.• Wrote, edited and updated GUI and API documentation.• Extensive experience with initiatives on content collaboration, including writer/customer wikis and writer/engineer API content corpus development.• Lead or principal contributor on teams developing corporate standards, processes and implementations of: information architecture content guidelines, structured markup (XML/DITA), API and solutions documentation, user interface standards, documentation tool selection, structured vocabularies, automated content generation from code, metadata design, and online help features and user experience.

Managing technical writer for a team of 12 technical writers producing documentation for the company's suites of network management products.Initiatives included adoption of SGML markup by the combined technical writing team and conversion of existing content to incorporate structured markup and emphasize customer workflow.Left to accept an offer from Cisco..

I was employee #4 at this software startup. I managed a team of six (later 12) tech writers producing administration, programming and user guides for the company's network management products in four locations in the US and Canada. Position involved frequent travel from New York to the other three branch offices. I was a working manager, specializing in writing the programming, SDK and integration manuals for the products. Initiatives included: Implementation of an SGML publishing system based on Adobe FrameMaker and TK/TCL scripts, with print and online output targets, available on MS Windows and the web. Avesta was acquired by Visual Networks, where I was again asked to manage documentation efforts, this time for the acquiring company and all product lines.

Managed a team of five (later seven ) technical writers producing administration, user, and installation guides for database-repository software applications acquired from BrownStone Solutions and its competitor, plus a suite of 35 related tools running on UNIX, IBM mainframes, OS/2 and Windows. Platinum was acquired by Computer Associates after I left to pursue an opportunity with the Avesta startup.

Managed a team of four technical writers producing user guides for BrownStone’s database-repository application and 20 related tools running on UNIX and IBM mainframes and PCs. BrownStone and its primary competitor were both acquired by Platinum Technology. I was asked to manage documentation efforts for the combined BrownStone and competitor product lines after the acquisition.

Managed a team of four (later 12) technical writers and trainers delivering documentation, support knowledge bases and training materials for the company's proprietary risk analysis and insurance management software applications, delivered as special services to the insurance brokerage's clients, including Alcoa, NASA, the People's Republic of China, and others. Applications were IBM PC- and mainframe- based. Left to pursue opportunities with companies whose main line of business is software.

• Documentation Development Inc.: Wrote user, administration, and training guides for Citibank,Linotype SA, Nabisco Brands, etc.• MetaMicro Computer Consulting (AIG subsidiary): Wrote training guides for a variety of then-popular consumer software applications (e.g., WordPerfect, Lotus 123, etc.) used at AIG's family of New York companies.• Independent: Wrote user, administration, and training guides for a variety of small clients.

- Staff reporter for Enlightenment Press (Chelsea/Clinton News, Eastside Express): Weekly newspaper reporter, covering general New York City government, crime and human interest stories.- Freelance contributions appeared in a variety of periodicals and under various imprints, including the New York Daily News, SPIN magazine, Consumer Electronics Monthly, Harper/Collins, Electronic Fun.