Strategic communications professional. Reporter. Columnist. Public relations guy. Crisis communicator. Publications manager. Blogger. I've worn many hats, but they've all been cut from the same piece of felt. The common element that has linked all endeavors in my professional life is a desire to write. In sixth grade I was named managing editor of our classroom newspaper, and ever since I've been working with words.
As far as paying gigs go, my first job out of college was in a university PR office, where I did media relations, newsletter editing, magazine writing, and more. From there I moved on to a daily newspaper, covering the municipal governments and school districts in six towns, writing business stories, and filing a weekly personal column. I followed this up with a stint in trade journalism, writing and editing stories for a biweekly science newspaper. My first corporate job was doing editing and writing for an insurance company, and then I returned to higher education in a series of professionally more responsible positions in university communications. I shifted gears to do marketing and media relations for a law firm before hanging out my own shingle as a freelance writer and editor.
I have since gone back to higher ed, adding strategic marketing to my communications toolkit. And I continue to scratch my writing itch by freelancing. Ultimately, all of these activities are about feeding my passion and doing what I most love to do--work with words.
--Tom
Complete resume
Select experience
- Senior director of marketing and communications
| university
- Director of communications | university
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Marketing/media relations manager | law firm
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Senior editor | insurance company
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Staff writer and columnist | daily newspaper
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Associate editor | science newspaper
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Freelance writer and editor
Key attributes
- Quick turnaround
- Clean copy
- Clear, concise expression of complex concepts
- Professionalism and dedication to client service
Education
Additional contacts
- AIM, Yahoo! Messenger | twdurso
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Twitter | @tomdurso
Blogs