BARBARA G. YOUNG barbara@barbyoung.com SUMMARY Accomplished publishing professional in online and print media, with focus on user experience and needs. Experience writing with clarity and precision, editing written material to improve quality, and managing concurrent projects with tight deadlines. PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE NICOR, INC., Naperville, IL Sr. Developer Web Content 2004 - Present Natural gas utility for the northern third of Illinois Responsible for managing and administering all functions of Nicor’s public website and company intranet. * Strategize, develop and deliver web content * Responsible for written content of company communications to Nicor website * Oversee design content on company intranet for key employee communications * Assess web strategy and design changes, and organize content for new products and services, seasonal changes * Manage and administer business process and workflow for the review and quality of content on websites * Manage and upgrade the content management system (Microsoft Content Management Server) as corporate needs change * Evaluate and upgrade Nicor websites’ suitability to all stakeholder audiences * Assist other departments with effective presentation of their materials to the company website * Train and advise other departments on use of the content management system * Manage contract graphic designers to update the look of the Nicor website * Assist in developing new and emerging forms of online communication. RR DONNELLEY, Downers Grove, IL 2000 - 2004 Largest commercial printer in North America Web Information Architect/Usability Analyst 2002 - 2004 Consulted with clients to create functional, well-organized and efficient web sites, and improve and expand existing sites. Implemented user-centered design approach to web information architecture. Influenced editorial direction, and provided content management training and documentation. * Successfully managed 20+ intranet sites, web sites and web application projects from requirements gathering through launch. * Established company usability testing program using existing equipment at minimal cost. * Designed and moderated 8 usability evaluations with 50+ participants. * Developed and presented workshops on usability ROI and how to write for the web. Web Content Manager 2000 - 2002 Updated content and created new pages for company web site and extensive intranet. Wrote news articles and selected graphics. * Coordinated online content for 500-page web site and 1,500-page intranet serving 35,000 employees. JOINT COMMISSION ON ACCREDITATION OF HEALTHCARE ORGANIZATIONS Oakbrook Terrace, IL 1998 - 2000 The nation's predominant health care standards-setting and accrediting body Internet Communications Specialist 1999 - 2000 Created new web pages and updated existing pages. Worked with internal clients to devise the best web solutions to meet their needs. * Designed system to coordinate timely content updates among multiple content owners, resulting in greater currency of information and timely removal of obsolete pages Senior Editor, Electronic Publications 1998 - 1999 Rewrote and reorganized web site content for readability and ease of use. Created new web pages as needed, following established web site design standards. Repurposed paper manual content for CD-ROM distribution. Advised web site redesign committee on site design and navigation strategies. THE ABERDEEN GROUP, Addison, IL 1996 - 1998 Trade show producer and publisher in the concrete and masonry industries Web Production Editor 1998 Developed and edited news and feature articles for construction contractors and equipment manufacturers. Wrote how-to articles to teach users about services available on the web site. Copyedited and proofread all online content. Scanned and formatted artwork, styled text, and placed graphics. Created and maintained online style guide. * Wrote and edited copy for four-page print newsletter sent to 15,000 registered members of web site, resulting in 110% increase in page views and 250% increase in user visits. Magazine Production Editor: Construction Marketing Today magazine 1996 - 1998 Edited manuscripts for content, organization, grammar and style. Developed and implemented copy and page flow procedures. Prepared layout for each issue, and oversaw design and production. Typeset and proofread galleys. Coordinated deadlines with prepress and printer. Tracked all costs. TSR INCORPORATED, Lake Geneva, WI 1987 - 1996 Adventure game, book and magazine publisher Managing Editor, Books 1994 - 1996 Oversaw production of 50+ paperback and hardcover novels per year. Supervised team of five editors. Coordinated production schedule with graphic arts and typesetting departments. Worked with freelance authors to develop products on schedule. Edited, copyedited and proofread novels. Wrote back-cover and advertising copy. Read and reported on unsolicited manuscripts. Magazine Editor 1987 - 1994 Edited Dungeon Adventures, award-winning bimonthly game hobby magazine with circulation of 30,000+. Selected and edited fiction for Dragon Magazine, industry-leading monthly magazine with circulation of 100,000+. Guided authors in developing and refining manuscripts. Negotiated contracts. Coordinated production schedules. Copyedited and proofread all work for publication. Reviewed and approved requests for permission to use artwork and text excerpts. FREELANCE ASSIGNMENTS Designed and maintained web sites for: Chesterfield Homeowners Association, North Aurora, IL (www.chesterfieldhoa.com) Inverness Fire & Emergency Foundation, Inverness, IL (www.invernessfoundation.org) Martial Arts Training Service, Naperville, IL (www.martialartstraining.com) Fox Valley Black Belt Academy, West Chicago, IL (www.fvbba.com) Alex Matthews, novelist, Oak Park, IL (www.alexmatthews.com). Also wrote press releases and arranged speaking engagements. EDUCATION & PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT M.A., Adult Education, Roosevelt University, Chicago, IL B.A., English/Linguistics, Northeastern Illinois University, Chicago, IL Introduction to Publication Design, University of Chicago Publishing Program, Chicago, IL Javascript class, Waubonsee Community College, Sugar Grove, IL COMPUTER SKILLS Windows and Macintosh platforms Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Sharepoint Photoshop, Illustrator, QuarkXpress, Dreamweaver, HomeSite, FrontPage, BroadVision HTML coding, web-based research PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS Society for Technical Communication Chicago Women in Technology