Tom Durkin Grass Valley, CA 530 559-3199 tdurkin@vfr.net tomdurkin-media.net Writer-Editor-Photographer Summary of Qualifications Veteran contract and staff writer and editor. Professional command of both written and spoken English. Accomplished in researching, analyzing, organizing, explaining and editing complex information in a creative, concise and comprehensible form for print, Web, broadcast and video/film. Skilled in writing and editing feature and technical articles, business and entertainment news, legal and government analyses, community journalism and research-and-write cold assignments. Zero-tolerance copy editor with thorough knowledge of AP style. Excellent predictive instincts for news and trends. Proficient in MS Word with working knowledge of Excel, PowerPoint and assorted website design programs. Maintain active presence on Facebook, LinkedIn and other online communities. Ten-plus years remote telework experience in online collaboration with virtual teams on VPN and other proprietary networks. Strong interpersonal skills: team player, facilitative leader, mentor and creative problem-solver. Dedicated to continual learning and committed to excellence. Possessed of common sense, good humor and honest work ethic. Relevant Contract, Freelance and Staff Experience Contributing writer/photographer - InvisiblePeople.tv, Los Angeles; 6/19 - present Media Consultant - One Source - Empowering Caregivers, Grass Valley, 8/16 - present Media Consultant - Hospitality House, Grass Valley, CA; 11/18 - present Writer/photographer - Mike Snegg, artist, Nevada City, CA; 9/17 - 10/18 Media Coordinator – Nugget Fringe Theater Festival, Grass Valley, CA; 9/16 - 7/17 Media Consultant – One Source - Empowering Caregivers, Grass Valley, CA; 6/16 - present PR Writer/Photographer – Ursela Rabe, animal communicator, Penn Valley, CA; 2/16 - 6/18 Creative and Technical Consultant to author Joe Harrington – Nevada City, CA; 5/14 – present On-assignment Writer/Photographer – The Union newspaper, Grass Valley, CA; 6/09 – present Writer/Photographer – Nevada City Advocate, Nevada City, CA; 5/17 - 5/18 Editor – Linda Schulman, novelist, Citrus Heights, CA, 2/16 - present Event photographer – concerts, parties, political events – California, Nevada; 2007 – present Staff Monitor/Media Relations – Hospitality House/Utah's Place, Grass Valley, CA; 3/10 – 5/14 Special Correspondent – Colfax Record newspaper, Colfax, CA 6/08 -10/10 On-call Technical Editor – Innovative Integration Inc., Simi Valley, CA; 5/06 – 8/08 Reporter/Photographer – Smart News, Fayetteville, NC; 2 – 6/07 Web Content Editor – AMMA Corp, Taipei, Taiwan; 10 – 11/05 Managing Editor – Xcell Journal, Xilinx Inc., San Jose, CA; 10/00 – 1/04 Assistant Editor – E-commerce User Experience, Nielsen Norman Group, Fremont, CA; 3 – 9/00 Senior Technical Editor – Raytheon Engineering Services Co., Sacramento, CA; 10/99 – 8/00 Contributing Author – Chicken Soup for the Single’s Soul, Dearfield Beach, FL; 1999 Feature Writer – Si Review magazine, Los Altos, CA; 3 – 8/99 Technical Writer/Editor – SyncAccess Inc., Sacramento, CA; 1/99 – 5/99 News and Features Editor – Robot Science & Technology magazine, Rocklin, CA; 12/97 – 6/98 Technology Writer – Faulkner Information Services, Pennsauken, NJ; 11/97 – 2/98 Webmaster/Content Editor – Fleming LTD Telework Consulting, Davis, CA; 1/96 – 2/98 Contributing Author – Cyberscribes.1: The New Journalists, San Diego, CA; 8/97 Webmaster – International Police Association, USA Region 29, Auburn, CA; 10/96 – 4/97 Contributing Writer – Telecommuting Review, Gil Gordon Associates, NJ; 4/95 – 12/97 Reporter/Editor – California Education Funding Alert, Thompson Publishing Group, Sacramento, CA; 1/96 – 9/96 Editor/Legal Reporter – California Employee Relations Report, The Bureau of National Affairs, Inc., Sacramento, CA; 8/91 – 3/95 Copy Editor/Reporter – The Sacramento Business Journal, Sacramento, CA; 10/89 – 4/91 Creative Director – Durkin, Gibbs & Associates, Auburn, CA; 1983 – 1985 Reporter/Editor/Photographer – Auburn Journal, Colfax Record, Placer County, CA; 1980 – 87 Reporter – KAHI radio, Auburn, CA; 1980 Screenwriter/Script Analyst – Burbank Studios, MGM, Paramount; Los Angeles, CA; 1974 – 1979 Assistant Promotion Director – KXTV, Channel 10, Sacramento, CA 1971 – 1974 Education Postgraduate Studies Creative Writing, Psychology and Computer Science – Sonoma State University, California – 1988-89 MFA, Theater Arts (TV/Film) – UCLA – 1971 BA, Psychology – UCLA, cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa – 1969 In-Service Training • Drug Abuse and Suicide Intervention • Parent Effectiveness Training • Transactional Analysis • Facilitative Leadership • Teacher Power! • Conflict Resolution and Confrontation Skills • Active Listening • Creative Problem-Solving • Peer Counseling • Seven Habits of Highly Effective People • Business Ignitor, Sierra Commons Continuing education credits in English and journalism, computer applications, education and training, leadership and time/work management. Committed to lifelong learning. Awards Phi Beta Kappa – academic National Science Foundation Grant – autism research James P. Pendleton Foundation Award - screenwriting Sigma Delta Chi (California) – investigative reporting National Newspaper Association – personality profile California Newspaper Association – investigative reporting California State Fair Media Awards (2) – agricultural reporting, investigative reporting Emmy nomination (regional) – documentary Sacramento Advertising Club (3) – news, program promotion and public service announcements Volunteer Experience Committee to Bridge the Gap - antiwar community outreach Do It Now Foundation - drug counseling, suicide hotline Sacramento Single Fathers Group - support, education, consciousness raising Hospitality House - homeless shelter counselor, media relations One Source–Empowering Caregivers - media consultant Nevada County Continuum of Care