My passion for sharing stories
Yes, I work for a university these days instead of a newspaper. Yes, I write ads, scripts for Web videos, and promotional articles, instead of straight news. Yes, I take advantage of Facebook, Twitter, and Vimeo to distribute my work, instead of a 470-ton printing press.
But at the end of the day, the same skills I learned in journalism school -- researching, interviewing, storytelling -- are what allow me to create content that attracts, informs, and inspires. And my passion for my craft is as strong as ever.
| Contact information for all references available on request |
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Once in a great while, you’re fortunate enough to make a hire
that transforms a unit. That’s the kind of impact Albert has had on our shop. His professionalism, his willingness to take on any task and, above all, his unparalleled ability to find and tell compelling
stories have played a critical role in elevating the level of our work and the reputation of our team.
But it’s not just about his writing. Over the past few years, he’s expanded his bag of tricks to include videography, social media strategy and execution, and much, much more. He’s become a go-to guy for several departments across campus, a task he takes on willingly and executes flawlessly.
Michael Kiser, vice president for communications, Colby College, Waterville, Me. (My direct supervisor at Virginia Tech from October 2007 until mid-September 2011.)
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Albert makes the craft of reporting and writing look easy, and his words are compelling and accurate. He is curious, eager to improve, and willing to try new things. He can inject drama into a story, but never into the workplace.
Don’t be fooled by his mild-mannered demeanor. Albert has a passion for prose, pays attention to the details, and find pride in
a job well done. He is a self-starter, a team player, and a multi-
tasker. I would hire him again in a heartbeat.
Shay Barnhart, Web producer, Virginia Tech University Relations. (A current colleague who supervised me in her former job as assignment editor at the Roanoke Times New River Valley Bureau.)
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Albert was an extremely valuable member of my reporting and writing team while I was chief of the New River Valley Bureau for the Roanoke Times. He had no problem juggling the competing demands of being a daily newspaper reporter — filing stories daily while also finding time for the extensive research, inter-
views, and travel that it takes to write enterprise pieces for the front page.
His work was accurate and extremely readable. And he also was fun to work with. His positive attitude, passion for quality, and sense of humor served him, and us, well on team projects.
Albert received the company’s management training at my
request and his leadership skills were obvious. I was sorry to see him leave the paper, but am confident he will continue to excel in his career.
Mark Morrison, vice president of development, Presbyterian Homes & Family Services, Lynchburg, Va. (Bureau chief for the New River Valley during my time writing out of that office for the Roanoke Times.)
