RELEVANT SKILLS

Communications Talented content editor and smooth writer. Professional layout/DTP with XPress or PageMaker. Crack proofreading. Expert in tailoring information for specific audiences. Familiar with AP style. Media Experienced in news editing, press relations, public information. Familiar with operations of print media in particular.

Computers and Internet Wide-ranging familiarity with word processing, publishing and Internet, including html. Macintosh and PC. Excellent at translating technical ideas to lay audiences. Help desk and documentation experience. General Reliable, creative problem-solver. Always trying to make things better. Experienced in multicultural situations. Effective under pressure.

EXPERIENCE

Sam Rainsy Party, Phnom Penh, Cambodia - May 1998 to February 1999
Communications officer/press secretary for Cambodia's democratic opposition party during bitterly contested National Assembly election with heavy international involvement. Directly responsible to the party president. Most duties revolved around the party's interaction with the foreign-language media, and included writing hundreds of statements and advisories, allocating media availability, monitoring media coverage, developing background materials in English, disseminating statements worldwide, consulting with party leaders on policy issues and how to present them. Interviewed by many news agencies including the BBC, CBC, all major wire services and many newspapers worldwide.References: Sam Rainsy (RainsySam@aol.com), Ung Bun Ang (ungba@melbpc.org.au)

Ganad-Khmer Publishing Co., Phnom Penh - July to August 1997
Executive editor of the Cambodia Today (in English) and the Kampuchea Tngay Nih (in Khmer). Responsible for the overall direction of the company's publishing division, including the editorial, production, marketing, circulation and advertising sales departments, and the 80 staff. (Publication was suspended in the wake of the Southeast Asian economic downturn and a coup in Cambodia.)

Freelance, Phnom Penh - January to July 1997
In Phnom Penh, edited and designed a variety of printed materials, mostly as a consultant for Design Group, a local firm. Major projects included a glossy four-color project overview for the World Bank-funded Social Fund of the Kingdom of Cambodia. Produced a televised segment for Asia Business News on the Internet’s introduction in Cambodia. Wrote several freelance articles, sat in as a newspaper night editor. Reference: Richard McDonough (designgroup@camnet.com.kh)

The Cambodia Daily, Phnom Penh - July 1995 to February 1997
Rose from contributing editor to managing editor at Cambodia's only English-language daily. Involved at different times in nearly every aspect of the newspaper's operations, including assignments, line and copy editing, writing headlines, selecting stories for and laying out the opinion and features pages, working with Cambodian trainee reporters, and reporting. Designed many advertisements, established graphics standards, and produced a comprehensive stylebook (online at www.garella.com/rich/rich/style.htm) to supplement Associated Press style. Redesigned many of the newspaper's operations including assignments and pagination, revamped the Macintosh computer network, and created a system for full-text retrieval of past articles and a searchable database of news sources. References: Bernie Krisher, publisher (bernie@media.mit.edu), Roy Greene, copy editor (rgreene@globe.com)

Philadelphia Unemployment Project - March 1994 to March 1995
As the health access coordinator for this nonprofit group, advised low-income and uninsured people and advocated for them within existing health care systems. Represented consumer interests to advisory boards on local and state levels, analyzed state and national legislation and changes in private-sector health systems, and coordinated grassroots lobbying efforts. Produced extensive informational and publicity materials and a definitive manual on health care access.

Health Care for All, Philadelphia - May to October 1993
Activities coordinator for a coalition in support of single-payer health care. Analyzed legislation, supported grassroots lobbying efforts, produced educational materials, organized public events, and developed a database of individuals and organizational contacts. Coordinated media relations, recruited and supervised volunteers.

Citizens for a Fair PUC, Philadelphia - February to April 1993 Coordinator of a successful campaign for the confirmation of a Public Utilities Commission nominee by the Pennsylvania Senate, tracking legislators' positions, coordinating media relations, and producing educational materials.

Committee In Solidarity with the People of El Salvador - Early 1989 to February 1993
At various times member of the steering committee and full-time organizer for the Philadelphia chapter of national political action group. Ran public information campaigns, human rights response, finances, fundraising and special events. Visited El Salvador twice: in 1990 during the civil war and in 1992 when peace accords were signed.

Student Information & Systems, University of Pennsylvania - March 1989 to December 1990
Wrote, edited and designed informational materials and technical documentation for university records system. Trained administrators and students. Coordinated the Center for University of Pennsylvania Identification, with a $100,000 budget and a staff of 100. Reference: Gretchen Ernest (artistes@aol.com)

Pennsylvania Pro Musica, Philadelphia - November 1988 to February 1989
Promotion, operations and publicity for semi-professional chamber orchestra.

Philomathean Society, University of Pennsylvania - September 1985 to June 1988
Elected to lead a nonprofit corporation funded by the University and private donations. Responsible for administration, chairing business meetings, publishing a literary magazine, and organizing events such as lectures, readings, debates, art gallery exhibits, and symposia.

EDUCATION

University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia - September 1983 to December 1990
Majored in Third World History, with concentrations in Urban Studies, Religion, and Economics.

SKILLS BY AREA

Writing and Editing
News articles, op-ed pieces (some samples are at http://www.garella.com/rich/camstory.htm)
News releases for cultural and political events
Rewriting, copy editing, and proofreading
Technical documentation, manuals and instructions, newspaper style book

Graphic Design and Layout
Full color brochures and booklets
Newspapers, newsletters, flyers, posters, brochures, special event programs, literary magazines
Display advertising, including copy writing

Management
Hiring, training, evaluating staff; recruiting, training volunteers
Strategizing, setting goals, developing plans and timelines, chairing/facilitating meetings
Addressing biases and prejudices
Projecting and maintaining budgets

Computer
Internet client software, e-mail management, some web page design
Experience with many software packages for word processing (such as Word, WordPerfect, and Manuscript), desktop publishing (such as PageMaker and XPress), database (such as FileMaker Pro, PC File and Approach)
Technical support/help desk

Media and Public Relations
Newspaper management including assignments, copy flow, pagination, editorial direction
Developing press strategies and public relations campaigns, maintaining contacts, setting up interviews and meetings
Organizing press conferences, speaking on television and radio

Political and Public Work
Lobbying and legislative campaigns, poll-watching, electioneering
Analysis of legislation and public policy (health care, electoral law, international affairs)
Debates and forums: panelist, moderator, master of ceremonies

Fundraising and Event Organizing
Writing and interviewing for foundation grants, phonebanking for funding and development
Developing and operating donor database
Organizing lectures, symposia, receptions, dinners, concerts/dances up to 300 paid attendees

International
United States and European Union citizenship
Native English speaker, with good comprehension of Italian, basic knowledge of Khmer and some Spanish and French
More than three years in Cambodia, additional travel in Western Europe, Peru, Nicaragua, El Salvador, Turkey, Bosnia and Hercegovina, Thailand, Vietnam and China