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DEBORAH W. DICKSON
Cell phone: 469.233.1920 · Email:
OBJECTIVE: Coach to improve leadership, business writing, public speaking and presentation skills to inspire people to achieve new levels of success. Help organizations and teams facilitate communication, organizational change, corporate culture enhancement and image branding.
EDUCATION
Ph.D. (ABD) Literature & Languages, Texas A&M Commerce University, Commerce, Texas
Master’s degree Mass Communications, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina
Bachelors degree Journalism, Texas State University, San Marcos, Texas
EXPERIENCE
8/15-present UTDallas, Lecturer for Engineering and Computer Science Richardson, Texas
Instruct high level students to write professional business communications and technical documents and excel in public speaking. Conduct career counseling.
8/09-present The DW Group, Communications Director St. Petersburg, Florida
Produce web content, presentations and training materials for CEOs and women business entrepreneurs; strategies include Amazon postings, conference events, and Sam’s Club Showcases. Produce PowerPoint presentations, newsletters, workbooks, social media campaigns and press releases primarily for wellness, fashion and beauty industries.
2/12-present Collin College, Writing Instructor Level III Plano, Texas
Tutor students in writing, grammar, language and syntax, teach Tools for Leadership Success for adult continuing education certification and serve as student coach and mentor.
12/12-present University of Phoenix, Humanities Professor Dallas, Texas
Ground teacher: New Media, Composition, Rhetoric and Technical Writing.
10/11-7/12 RBC Life Sciences, Senior Writer Irving, Texas
Developed direct selling strategies for product launch of Stem-Kine, a natural nutritional supplement. Wrote content and messaging for brochure, website, presentations, white paper and training manuals to support national conference.
1/08-3/09 AdvoCare, Communications Manager Carrollton, Texas
Managed digital and print communications for nutritional wellness company with direct sales force of more than 200,000 associates. Managed multiple marketing projects:
· Content and editing for glossy magazine
· Messaging and articles for eight-page monthly newsletter
· Art direction for website: www.advocare.com
· Training guides and sales tools to support field
· Conceptual creative for brochures, flyers, posters and Ecommerce
· Weekly e-mails and voice shots to the field
· Speeches, presentations, and correspondance for c-level executives
9/06-2/08 Home Interiors, Sales Training Writer Carrollton, Texas
Developed training programs and sales tools collateral to support 250,000 Decorating Consultants to inspire them to grow their businesses through personal growth, product knowledge and leadership. Produced messaging and content to support company initiatives. Projects included:
· Decorating Consultant Guide and Training Workbooks
· Agendas, presentations and awards for New Director Training
· Fulfillment of handouts and recognition at national conferences
· Supervision of staff at training events and seminars
· Monthly internal newsletter for 230 employees
· Content for website and emails to field
· Video scripts, speeches and PowerPoint presentations for stage events
· Correspondence for CEO Dick Heath and COO Heather Chastain
2001-2005 What’s the Big Idea? Project Manager/Copywriter Plano, Texas
Managed referral incentive programs for American Express Financial Services and Harrah’s Casinos. Wrote ad copy for Verizon, Pepsico, GE and Frito-Lay.
1988-2000 Responsive Computer Systems/Icongraphics, Training Director Plano, Texas
Authorized Xerox Ventura Publisher Training Center. Conducted corporate training workshops for computer graphics and desktop publishing. Specialized in producing monthly newsletters and marketing print collateral for a wide range of clients including Las Colinas Landscape, American Airlines, Preston-Royal Shopping Center, TIA’s Tex-Mex and the City of Plano.
SKILLS
· Write clear, concise and engaging content for corporate communications
· Conduct research including interviews, photography and fact checking
· Digital and media technologies including SEO and analytics
· Develop messaging and branding for email blasts, newsletters and social media
· Content for speeches, presentations and correspondence for c-Level executives
· Write training materials, workbooks, and manuals to support sales
· Ghostwrite books, articles and newsletter publications
· Cross industry specialization in wellness, nutrition, health and beauty, fashion, interior design, technology and education
· Interface with high level staff in thought leadership, company culture and transformational change
· Adherence to FDA regulations, AP Style, MLA and APA
HONORS AND ORGANIZATIONS
2013 Member WBENC – Women Business & Entrepreneur National Convention
2011 Lumina SparkÒ Leadership Training Affiliate
2009 Direct Sales Association (DSA). Innovation Award for AdvoCare
2006 Meyerson Research Fellowship Grant - Harry Ransom Humanities Center-UT Austin
2004 Communications, Board of Directors, Dallas Woods & Waters Club
1991 Founder/President - DPublishers, Dallas Association for Desktop Publishing
1984 Full scholarship to University of South Carolina
1980 Editor, Armadillo Country Magazine at Texas State University. TIPA President.
PUBLISHED WORK
Content Avigilon Monitors School in Kuwait, case study, 2015
Content White paper - Sharper and Smarter. Avigilon Corporation, 2015.
Content Simplify – organizing and closet consulting company, 2015
Academic “Women of Influence: Examining Gender Roles in the Workplace,” 2014
Ghostwriter Tish the Magnificient! Ó Terri Hall, CEO Doubletake Studios: 2012
Ghostwriter Ten Steps to Style: How to Create Your Ideal Image, Ó Denise Walthers: 2011
Writer RBC Life ClearPath Associate Handbook: 2011
Writer RBC Life ClearPath Associate Workbook: 2011
Writer RBC Life Family newsletter: 2011
Writer RBC Life Stem-kine brochure and white papers, 2011
Writer Ten Steps to Success Workbook for Epicure Selections: April 2011
Speech writer “Women in Leadership,” ARCS Foundation, Denise Walthers
Writer “Women in Business,” Success Magazine, Stockholm, Sweden: 2010
Ghostwriter Ten Steps to Success: How to Build your Business, Ó Denise Walthers: 2010
Writer Pepsico Earning Income Guide, 2009
Editor Impact Magazine, 75 page glossy perfect bind for AdvoCare: 2008–2009
Writer Getting Started in AdvoCare Training Workbook: 2009
Editor Flash News, newsletter for AdvoCare: 2008-2009
Writer Decorating Consultant Guide, Home Interiors & Gifts: 2007
Writer Consultant Workbook, Home Interiors & Gifts: 2007
Editor On the Home Front, newsletter for Home Interiors employees: 2006-2008
Researcher Ruth Robertson, early American pilot, photographer and explorer, 2006
Editor The Village News, newsletter for citizens and merchants, City of Plano: 2000-2005
Designer Hope Cottage Adoption Agency Newsletter: 1999-2001
Editor Preston-Royal Village News, retail shopping center: 1996-1999
Editor Clippings Newsletter for clients of Las Colinas Landscape: 1993-1998
Editor Tia’s Tex-Mex News for restaurant employees, 1993-1998
Designer ACP Today Newsletter for employees of American Airlines: 1992-1995
Designer National Gypsum News for employees: 1991-1993
Author Achieving Graphic Impact with Ventura 2.0, pp. 352. Ó WordWare Publishing: 1993
WEBSITES
Content Editor www.RBCLife.com
Project Manager www.theDWGroup.com
Content Manager www.AdvoCare.com
Content Editor www.HomeInteriors.com
Contributor www.NETwomen.com
PRESENTATIONS
Denise Walthers, CEO Be An Energy Generator
Denise Walthers, CEO Put Your Best Face Forward – Image Consulting
Heather Chastain, COO Dare to Succeed and then Proceed
Cindy Tysinger,CEO Marrying Technology and Marketing
Alfredo Duarte, CEO Taxco Produce, Leadership Series of Dallas
Kevin Young, VP Sales Who Will Tell the World?