The Bio

The specifics...
• Three-time Michigan Press Association award winner
• Extremely versatile with experience as a sports editor at a daily newspaper, an education and local government correspondent for a large daily newspaper and as the editor of a monthly publication that
serves more than 150,000 people across Michigan
• Adept with basic html, Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, etc. Proficient with InDesign and Quark design software, as well as iMovie, Final Cut Pro and Photoshop. Willing and able to learn new media as it evolves. Proficient in creating podcasts and web-based photo slideshows.
• Webmaster and creator of www.miareareporter.com and www.rjwalters.blogspot.com
• 2007 Gerald Waite Journalism Scholarship winner

...Work experience
Jackson Citizen Patriot, Jackson, Mich.
Education/ government/ features/ HS sports , March 2010-present
I write 15-25 stories a month, many of them centered on my education and local government beats. I also cover Albion College, community events, high school sports, business features and breaking news. I have published videos and write for both the web and print, often updating web stories for hard copy use.


Jackson Magazine, Jackson, Mich.
Feature writer, May 2010-present
I write in-depth features, including cover stories, on local businesses and community leaders and activists for the city’s only monthly magazine. Some of the stories are quick tidbits on new and exciting developments in the community, while others are up to 1,500 in-depth features that detail successes and failures through comprehensive storytelling.

Michigan Area Reporter, statewide
Editor, January 2010-present
I run a monthly publication that goes out to more than 900 United Methodist churches and 150,000 people across Michigan. I write profiles, breaking news, analysis stories, features and more. I coordinate assignments with stringers and work with the printing and circulation team to ensure delivery. The national United Methodist Reporter based in Texas has picked up many of my stories. I am the creator and webmaster of its website, www.miareareporter.com.

Hillsdale Daily News, Hillsdale, Mich.
Sports Editor, September 2007-December 2009
I planned, designed and executed the sports section and managed a team of writers. I wrote features, columns, game stories and hard news pieces, while regularly updating the sports section of the website. I met daily deadlines and used a comprehensive knowledge of AP Style to guide my work. I was responsible for covering a dozen high schools and Division II athletics at Hillsdale College

References...
Jeff Bleiler
Editor, Jackson Citizen Patriot
Jackson, MI 49201
(517) 945-4536
jbleiler@citpat.com

Thomas Marcetti
The Villages Daily Sun
The Villages, FL 32159
(810) 304-0445
tmarcetti@gmail.com

Jim Pruitt
Editor, Hillsdale Daily News
Hillsdale, MI 49242
(517) 437-7351
james.pruitt@hillsdale.net