Writing Samples:

CONRAD LAWRENCE

EXPERIENCE

Career Summary:

COMMUNICATIONS/WRITING/JOURNALISM,     1975 -- Present

PYRAMID CAREER INSTITUTE, Chicago, IL    1/06 Present

• Responsible for recruitment brochures and web based informative marketing vehicles (Samples available upon request)
• Wrote marketing and oversight agency communications for Executive Director and Job Developers

CREATIVE NARRATIVE WRITER, Madison, WI/Chicago, IL    1985-Present

• Novelist: Written 11 Novels, published one
• Short Story Writer: Nationally and internationally published
• Playwright
• Sketch comedy writer for monthly political comedy group
• Screen writer.

INDEPENDENT WRITER, Chicago, IL    10/03 - 1/06

• Ghostwriter - Developed book structure and proposal for publication. (Wrote non-fiction )
• Wrote ad copy for cosmetic surgeon
• Grant proposal writer. - Facilitated executive directors in developing philanthropic programs
• Technical writer
• Journalist/photojournalist for Chicago area news publications (N'Digo & Pioneer Press)
• Taught seminars to writing professionals.
• Board of Directors member for Independent Writers of Chicago

INDEPENDENT WRITER, Chicago, IL    8/88 - 6/90

• Business Case writer. - Facilitated executive directors in developing philanthropic programs
• Technical writer
• Research Services for other independent writers

RUSTAD/WICKHEM PRODUCTIONS    5/83 - 5/85

• Copywriter for retail product commercials.
• Script writer for MTV level music videos.

BUD'S EAST & WEST, Madison, WI    6/77 - 7/79

• Disc Jockey responsible for entertainment of disco club attendees
• Door Guard responsible for conflict negotiations

RADIO NEWS REPORTER, Madison, WI    6/75 - 9/76

• WMAD Country/Western radio - Covered city, university and state politics

VISUAL FINE ART/GRAPHIC ART/WEB CREATION    1997 -- Present

PYRAMID CAREER INSTITUTE, Chicago, IL    1/06 Present

• Responsible for graphics and layout of recruiting presentations (PowerPoint) and brochures (MS Publisher)
• Created pilot web design for new web site
• Adept and versatile with complex printers (e.g. Xerox WorkCentre Pro C2636)

INDEPENDENT ARTIST/PHOTOGRAPHER, Chicago, IL    1/96 Present

• Represented by Fetisha Gallery (Chicago) and Farencak Gallery (Oak Park) for mixed media digital art (combination of digital airbrushing & photography)
• Numerous independent shows including five Around The Coyote Festivals
• Extremely proficient with Photoshop, MS Publisher, PowerPoint, Word
• Developed and created own self promotional brochures and web sites
• Created graphics as well as PowerPoint presentation for my seminar on "Nurturing Your Creativity" of my own teaching.
• Headshots and composites photographer
• Ran "specialty" photo for hire - Glamour and theme photos
• Fine art photography and digital art portfolio available

FILMMAKER/PHOTOGRAPHER    1975 -- 2004

INDEPENDENT PHOTOJOURNALIST, -- Chicago, IL    9/75 - 8/04

• Provided all photography accompanying articles. (Clients include: N'Digo & Pioneer Press)
• Provided photojournalism for independent writers as sub-contractor
• Photojournalist for print news publications. (See portfolio)

INDEPENDENT PHOTOGRAPHER, -- Chicago, IL    5/85 - 6/92

• Headshots and composite photographer
• Portraits and specialty portraits (Phantasm Photos)

INDEPENDENT DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPY, Madison WI -- Chicago, IL    5/85 - 6/90

• Responsible for cinematography on commercials and industrials including supervision of camera and lighting crews
• Responsible for lighting and image on commercials and industrials, including supervision of lighting crews
• Clients included, Amoco Oil, Kraft Foods, Miller Brewing, Kohls, Kohler Plumbing, Thrift Drugs
• Director of Photography on music videos and TV pilots.

RUSTAD/WICKHEM PRODUCTIONS    5/83 - 5/85

• Director/Cameraman on commercial and industrial film and video and feature pilot productions
• Responsible for creative execution of film and video projects
• Responsible for lighting and image on commercials and industrials, including supervision of lighting crews
• Studio Manager: Responsible for 6,000 sq ft soundstage with two sided, 30 ft tall complex curved cyclorama.
• Designed and oversaw installation of full lighting grid, including power distribution

INDEPENDENT LIGHTING DIRECTOR/GAFFER    6/80 - 5/95

• Responsible for lighting, image and electrical distribution on commercials and industrials, including supervision of lighting crews
• Clients included, Miller Brewing, Shopko, Kohler Plumbing

CINÉMON, A FILM PRODUCTION COMPANY    8/80 - 5/83

• Studio Manager: Responsible for 3,000 sq ft soundstage with two sided, 20 ft tall complex curved cyclorama.
• Assistant Editor
• Assistant Producer
• Bookkeeper

DEVELOPMENT/PROJECT MANAGEMENT,    1980 - Present

PYRAMID CAREER INSTITUTE, Chicago, IL    1/06 -- Present

• Developed curriculums and lesson plans in both paper and web based formats
• Assessed purchasable curriculums
• Implemented curriculums and taught lesson plans as staff teacher/developer
• Developed, implemented curriculum and lesson plans as independent contractor to women's health agency.
• Created processes for expediting Work First client job placement
• Developed and implemented assignment tracking database/process for high school program.

BANK ONE CORPORATE/COMMERCIAL BANK, Chicago, IL    6/00-- 10/03

• Project Manager/Analyst on $24mil project to create a unified customer service platform for five merged banking entities.
• Project Manager/Analyst on $30mil project to replace existing remittance banking system
• Analyst/Project Manager on $750,000 project to upgrade front end for middle markets remittance banking
• Project Manager for $700,000 project to replace front end for Large Corporate Customer Service
• Project Manager/Analyst on a sundry of smaller upgrade projects
• Implemented installation of new WAN & Internet network connections to five remote sites
• Oversaw tasks lists generated from weekly meetings and focus groups for remittance image scanning development group

FIRST CHICAGO CORPORATE/COMMERCIAL BANK, Chicago, IL    9/95 --6/00

• Developed, documented and implemented Business Resumption/Disaster Recovery plan and testing for Large Corporate Customer Service that included facility and system component failure recovery/resumption

INDEPENDENT FILM/VIDEO PRODUCER    6/85 - 6/90

RUSTAD/WICKHEM FILM & VIDEO    5/83 - 5/85

• Produced Corporate Image/Industrial/Training/Recruitment films for clients including Miller Brewing.
• Produced television commercials

CINÉMON, A FILM PRODUCTION COMPANY    8/80 - 5/83

• Assistant Producer on various television commercials, industrial and corporate films and video.

BUSINESS ANALYST,    2000 to Present

PYRAMID CAREER INSTITUTE, Chicago, IL    1/06 Present

• Analyzed processes for Work First case managers and job developer to expedite procedures on new database.
• Analyzed client intake and job placement data
• Created reports advising company principles on attainment of strategic and tactical goals.

BANK ONE CORPORATE/COMMERCIAL BANK, Chicago, IL    6/00-- 10/03

• Analyst on $750,000 project to upgrade Remittance front end
• Created technical documentation, support procedures, test plans, and variety of communications papers, as well as developed disaster recovery manuals.
• Problem solved issues and developed new PC based application to facilitate Large Corporate Customer Service.
• Ran "focus group" forums to determine end user needs
• Ran weekly staff meeting for programming developmental group

PROGRAMMING/APPLICATION MANAGMENT,    1990 to 2000

FIRST CHICAGO CORPORATE/COMMERCIAL BANK, Chicago, IL    9/95 --6/00

• "Owned" and maintained a PC based client application (Pegaview) that automated processes for Large Corporate Customer Service Reps and connected to six different mainframe and mid-range platforms
• Responsible for all user functionality gathering
• Learned and used six programming languages on the job. 
• Re-designed and reprogrammed Pegaview shifting processing from PC to mainframe to reduce "overhead" on PC and solve PC crashing problem
• Responsible for all programming for cooperative PC-mainframe based application
• Front line support for "gateway" (Stratus) between PCs and mainframe and mid-range platforms as well as acted as liaison to Stratus technicians
• Remotely implemented similar software in London, England

ZENITH ADMINISTRATORS (CONSULTANT), Chicago, IL    9/95 --6/00

• Responsible for program design specifications documentations during Joint Application Design
• Learned to write COBOL on the job
• Responsible for writing three way search module on AS400 platform

ADMINISTRATIVE,    1988 - 1992

MANPOWER TEMPORARY SERVICES, Chicago IL    6/88 - 6/92

• Word processed and typed at speeds up to 80wpm (Currently at 57wpm, but will get back up to speed with keyboard time
• Managed schedules
• Created presentations
• Exceedingly Proficient with PowerPoint, Publisher, Word (up through versions 2003) , WordPerfect, Wordstar, Excel (up through versions 2003) Access (DB), Quark, PageMaker, PhotoShop
• Extremely organized
• Well versed in the fine art of "gate keeping"
• Understand the true job of an admin is to make the boss look good.
• Adept at multi-line phone systems
• Good grammatical skills and equipped with standard grammar documentation
• Highlights of supported clients include
• o GE Capital
• o Montgomery Ward
• o Ogilvy Mather Advertising
• o Blue Cross & Blue Shield
• o Searle

SOCIAL SERVICES/COUNSELING,    1999 to Present

PYRAMID CAREER INSTITUTE, Chicago, IL    1/06 Present

• Facilitating Work First program recipients to become self sufficient by getting off of public aid and into the workforce.
• Facilitate "at risk" youth from 'hard to serve" neighborhoods in gaining employable skills and work attitudes.

INTEVENTIONS, Chicago, IL    1989 - 1990

• Facilitated male TASC (Treatment Alternatives to Street Crimes) clients in transitioning from a criminal background to functioning adult lives in a long term drug and alcohol treatment institution.

AUTOMOTIVE TECHNICIAN    1975-- 1980

MISJAK STANDARD, Madison, WI    8/78 - 6/80

• Manager responsible for scheduling of staff, work load and day to day operations
• Mechanic responsible for the light and medium reparations of automobiles
• Specialized in automotive electrical trouble-shooting and repair.
• Highly refined trouble-shooting skills

MARTY'S MOBIL, Madison, WI    9/77 - 8/78

• Mechanic responsible for the light reparations of automobiles
• Radio dispatched tow truck driver responsible for starting, towing and winching vehicles

KRUEL'S STANDARD, MADISON, WI    6/75 - 9/77

• Mechanic responsible for the light reparations and maintenance of automobiles
• Assistant manager responsible for part time staff (gas jocks)
• Highly proficient at roadside starts

EDUCATION

PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS

• Independent Writers of Chicago (Board Member)
• National Writers Union
• National Association of Work Force Developers
• Chicago Dramatists (Network Playwright)
• Council on Foreign Relations
• Chicago Artist Coalition

CERTIFICATIONS AND OTHER EXPERIENCE/INTERESTS

• Project Management Lifecycle methodologies:
• o PMP
• o Delivery Process (Bank One proprietary)
• o Summit D.
• CIW (Certified Internet Webmaster)
• Highly proficient with Microsoft Project
• Highly proficient in Visio.
• Trained in Improv at 2nd City
• PADI certified diver

The Council to Save The Planet

Whimsical Surreality