Al Polito
503-708-9394 (Mobile)
503-477-8375 (Home)
Located in Portland, OR 97217
email: politomail@gmail.com
Professional Experience
Writer and Marketing Consultant
TheWriteThing dot biz, Portland, OR (2007-2008, 2011)
Typical clients seek to improve online communication as well as develop and integrate their branding strategies.
- Plan/restructure, write/rewrite, and edit websites as well as press releases, media kits and electronic newsletters for businesses and entrepreneurs.
- Provide consulting for branding, customer outreach and retention.
Publications Editor
SAIF Corporation, Salem, OR (2008-2010)
SAIF Corporation is Oregon’s state-chartered, not-for-profit workers’ comp insurance provider, and is the largest workers’ comp insurer in the state.
- Wrote and edited Comp News, SAIF’s policyholder magazine sent to 40,000 employers throughout Oregon.
- Wrote news articles for @SAIF, the company’s employee intranet site.
- Wrote and managed SAIF’s Facebook fan page.
- Wrote ad copy for print advertisements.
- Participated in general branding efforts as part of SAIF’s creative team.
- Worked on special projects, including speech writing, photo shoots, internal presentations, and researching the effectiveness of internal communications efforts.
Documentation Consultant (Independent Contractor)
RK2 Systems, Escondido, CA (2005-2007)
RK2 is the United States’ dominant manufacturer of industrial aquarium filtration for aquaculture and marine theme park installations, and had no assembly manuals for specific models prior to my assignment.
- Conceived, designed and implemented publication of assembly manuals for RK2 Systems.
- Responsible for all aspects of documentation including writing, photography, retouching, layout and approval from Subject Matter Experts.
Lead Technical Writer
Countrywide Financial Corporation, Calabasas, CA (1996-2004)
- Researched, developed and wrote Policies and Procedures for the company’s Wholesale Division. Subjects included regulatory compliance, funding procedures, software release notes, training materials, software user guides/help info, and standard operating procedures.
- Standardized the Division’s “House Style,” integrating style sheets, tables and other graphic elements. Other divisions within the company later adopted the documentation style.
- Developed reporting and tracking applications for various Wholesale Division business units, using Domino Developer.
Corporate Communications Writer
Countrywide Financial Corporation, Calabasas, CA (1994-1996)
- Wrote and edited newsletters and online content for both employees and business partners.
- Handled layout and photography, research, and review processes.
- Assisted in event planning.
Desktop Publishing and Writing Consultant
Clear As Day Communications, Van Nuys, CA (1992-1994)
- Specialized in direct mail marketing campaigns, collateral materials, newsletters, and marketing plans.
Other Employment
Public Relations Coordinator. Prudential California Realty, Calabasas, CA (1990-1992)
Production Editor. Windsor Publications, Chatsworth, CA (1988-1990)
Information Developer. IBM Corp., San José, CA (1987)
Summary of Qualifications
- 9 years experience in branding, public relations and corporate communications
- 10 years experience writing, editing, and designing technical documentation, including policies and procedures, help topics, release notes, and assembly manuals
- Adept at social media, blogging, and email campaigns
- Strong team and communication skills, experienced in Fortune 500 and small business environments
- Creative thinker, adept at process improvement and problem-solving
- Able to manage several projects simultaneously
- Highly effective in deadline-driven environments
- Work well with minimum supervision/self-starter
Software Skills
- Macintosh and Windows platforms
- Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
- Dreamweaver
- Adobe Design Software (Photoshop, Illustrator)
- Quark Xpress
- Lotus Notes/Domino Developer
- Robohelp
Education
- B.A., English. California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, CA (1987)
- Lotus Notes Application Development 1 & 2
- 7 Habits of Highly Effective People
