BRIAN RAPP, B.A.

Raleigh, NC 27615 (919) 264-4148 brapp76@earthlink.net

Communication Specialist
Diverse, progressive communications and editing professional with over 20 years of professional experience and success in publishing, writing and technical editing. Esteemed professional with a proven track record of excellence in writing and accolades in driving successful news organizations. Continual learner with skills in staff development fostering solid relationships with organizational members and contacts. Astute interview skills enabling pertinent, focused information to deliver insightful storylines that effectively translate news and information to a broad and eclectic audience.

AWARDS
2008 Third Place, Best Spot News Story, Division B, North Carolina Press Association 2002 Media Service Award, Ohio High School Athletic Association 2002 Stringer for The State, Columbia, South Carolina Newspaper Record holder for the number of awards won in writing, photography, section layout and excellence. Suburban News Publications, Columbus, OH

AREAS OF EXPERTISE
Brochures Graphic Design Layouts Newsletters Web Design Freelance Writing Press Releases Sports Writing Promotional Materials Event Planning Advertisement Public Speaking News Writing Desktop Publishing Editing Windows ATEX Mac OS-X QuarkXPress / Copydesk Adobe Acrobat Dreamweaver Photoshop PageMaker In Design MS Word Excel PowerPoint Outlook Lotus Notes Nikon & Canon Cameras Layouts

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE IBM, Research Triangle Park, NC Remote Technical Editor / Writer, September 2011 to December 2012
Performed the review and editing for marketing and technical papers, brochures, and promotional materials for IBMs ITSO Global Content Services. Assessed grammatical and technical accuracy, style , and conformance to legal requirements. Key Accomplishments: Edited the 2012 Pulse Expo program documents, the Impact 2012 Abstracts, and IQWorks, and transitioned IBMs Wiki Power Pages from Developer Works to Lotus Connections. Edited over 3,000 documents and web pages. Researched and re-wrote the Wikipedia page for IBMs Power Linux. Edited over 1,000 pages of IQWorks material in four months.

Clayton News-Star, Clayton, NC Editor, November 2010 to September 2011

Supervised editorial staff and maintained coverage of local, government, and county beats. Maintained coverage and needs assessment for the weekly newspaper subsidiary of the Raleigh News & Observer with a circulation of over 17,000 weekly. Key Accomplishments: Successfully increased web site and Facebook traffic views. Implemented creative logos and banners in revamping the sports section. Increased the number and quality of breaking news items for the website.

News Editor, March 2005 to July 2006 & September 2007 to November 2010 Produced newsworthy stories in cooperation with Editor. Praised for outstanding creative work.

Key Accomplishments: Increased papers visibility and status through production of numerous breaking stories. Aided the newspaper in receipt of the lone award presented to paper in the 2009 NCPA Writing and Editorial Contest.

BRIAN RAPP, B.A.

Raleigh, NC 27615 (919) 264-4148 brapp76@earthlink.net North Carolina Press Association, Raleigh, NC Communications Manager, July 2006 to September 2007
Managed the development and writing for company printed materials and website updates. Wrote and edited copy for the monthly newsletter, distributing to 205 member publications. Produced daily updates for the website. Key Accomplishments: Produced insightful and fresh updates to website content. Organized the publications for over 100 counties in participation of the 2007 Open Government survey.

Coman Publications Inc., Durham, NC Freelance Writer, September 2004 to Present

Produced feature length articles for The Wolfpacker, a nationally circulated magazine. Covered athletics at North Carolina State University and interviewed coaches and athletes to gather information and produce insightful stories. Fostered key relationships with coaches, athletes, and administration for information flow. Key Accomplishments: Recognized for the longest tenure of a freelance stringer for the publication. Covered several high level stories such as NCSU Athlete and Team of the Year and NCSU Womens Coach Kay Yow. Authored a multi-story cover for the February 2009 issue covering Kay Yows death from breast cancer.

Managing Editor, June 2003 to August 2004

Directed the publishing of a nationally circulated magazine the covered college sports from the University of Virginia. Key Accomplishments: Recognized for outstanding performance by the UVA administration. Recognition for abilities in selection of strong cover art and package stories. Maintained production of the Cavalier Corner successfully and under budget.

Suburban News Publications, Columbus, OH Sports Editor, April 1986 to November 2002
Supervised the efforts and work of over 10 staff members comprised of; assistant editors, reporters, photographers, and stringers. Facilitated contributions to the publication of 22 weekly newspapers. Key Accomplishments: Developed the blueprint used in the central Ohio area for high school sports coverage. Instrumental in the 400% increase of circulation, staff, and the number of publications produced. Record holder for the number of awards won in writing, photography, section layout and excellence. Mentored staff members, four of which received the OPSWA Weekly Newspaper Division Writer of the Year award.

EDUCATION University of Dayton, Dayton Ohio Bachelor of Arts in Communications AFFILIATIONS North Carolina Press Association Ohio High School Athletic Association, Media Advisory Committee Ohio Prep Sportswriters Association Society of Professional Journalists Central Ohio Chapter, March of Dimes