About me
I’m a writer based in Wichita, Kansas. I grew up in Columbia, Missouri, and earned a journalism degree with a news-editorial focus from the school that happened to be in my backyard, the University of Missouri School of Journalism.
I started my career as a newspaper reporter, which led me to move to Kansas in 1994 for what I thought would be one or two years. I’ve been here since, thanks to Lee, a Wichita native who became my husband in 1999.
In addition to working as a member of the media, I spent a dozen years as a public relations professional in corporate communications departments. I’ve worked in employee/organizational communications and media relations. I’ve also had the opportunity to handle executive-level communications, including speechwriting. A full resume is available on my LinkedIn profile.
I have been a full-time freelance writer and editor since 2012. Beyond daily newspapers, consumer magazines and trade publications, my work appears in online outlets, employee publications, public relations and marketing materials for corporate, small business, non-profit, association and agency clients.
I like to write on a wide range of topics and I enjoy photographing my assignments when possible. I’m currently writing most often about:
– aviation
– travel
– lifestyle topics
– arts and entertainment
– business, leadership, entrepreneurship
– tourism/hospitality sector, including the meeting/event industry
– technology
– community, including rural culture
Others areas I have experience and interest in writing about:
– pets/animals and animal advocacy
– education
– health/wellness
– sports
I am a member of the American Society of Journalists & Authors, Society of American Travel Writers, Midwest Travel Journalists Association and Wichita Professional Communicators. In 2018, I won first place in business reporting among trade and specialty publications from the KC Press Club — Kansas City’s chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists — for an article I wrote for the Kansas Leadership Journal on retention and recruitment efforts at McPherson College.
Select current outlets:
AAA World magazine
AOPA Travel Pilot
McClatchy newspapers:
– Wichita Eagle/Kansas.com
– Kansas City Star/Kansascity.com
Active Age
Group Tour magazine
Student Group Tour magazine
Motorcoach Living
Travel Kansas
Kansas Country Living magazine
Kansas Leadership Journal
King Air magazine
Twin & Turbine magazine
Select clients:
AZDS Interactive Group (XOJET)
Beechcraft Corp.
Cessna Aircraft Company
Embraer
Newman University
Pace Communications
Raytheon
Textron Aviation
The Coleman Company
Touchpoint Media (Bank of America Small Business Community)
University of Kansas
Visit Wichita
Wichita Downtown Development Corporation