Michael L. Smith

Phone: (301) 309-6564
E-mail: gci275@gmail.com

Professional Summary

A communicator that uses writing skills, journalism experience and computer proficiency to achieve work goals in the information field. Used to working under deadline pressure. Fluency in Spanish, a multicultural background and experience abroad give an international perspective.

Highlights of Qualifications

• Self-starter, independent and flexible, as demonstrated by 15 years as freelance journalist and consultant who had to develop assignments and deliver them on deadline.
• Experienced at accessing, filtering, and analyzing information.
• Skilled at writing and editing for multiple purposes and audiences -- translation, report writing, journalism, desktop publishing, and electronic media.
• Tracked major Latin American trends, such as democracy, political violence, drug trafficking, and economic policy over the two decades, acquiring a broad perspective of currents events. On-the-scene experience in Mexico, Argentina, Ecuador, Colombia, Bolivia, Brazil, Belize and Peru.
• Bilingual, multi-cultural personal, and professional background. Fluent in speaking and writing Spanish.
• Computer skills as work tools: web development, Internet, application suites, telecommunication and operating systems.

Professional Experience

Computer skills: Use personal computers as an integral part of work habits and creative process for 15 years.

• Use the Internet, especially the World Wide Web, as a tool, medium of communication and learning environment.
• Develop web sites for several organizations. HTML, Cascading Style Sheets, Active Server Pages, JavaScript, VBScript, CGI. Experience at converting documents into web content. Graphics.
• Use several word processors (WordStar, WordPerfect 5.1/6.0, Word for Dos and Word for Windows 6.0, Word for Windows 95-97-2000), other software applications. Self-taught through tapping information resources, trouble-shooting and on-the-job training.
• Use Microsoft Outlook, browsers and other Internet programs.
• Worked with CP/M, MS-DOS, DR-DOS, Windows 3.1, Windows 95, Windows NT and OS/2 and UNIX operating systems.

Writing and editing: carried out a variety of journalistic activities: breaking news coverage, investigative reporting, feature writing, opinion columns, editing and media liaisons - some of the leading media in the world.

• Resident correspondent in Peru for the Washington Post, Newsweek, ABC News (Television and Radio), the Times of London, the Globe and Mail of Toronto. Articles published in newspapers and magazines in Peru, Europe, and the United States.
• Managing editor of Apoyo S.A.'s English-language publications, Peru Newsletter and Peruvian Quarterly Report, in association with the Banco de Credito del Peru, 1986-87.
• Associate editor for the monthly business newsletter, Andean Report, focusing on political and labor affairs,and weekly political columnist for the Lima Times.

Research and Analysis: Engaged in bridging the gap between journalism, policy and academic research on several key issues for Latin America.

• Program development assistance for the Federation of American Scientists in an emergency response to the situation in Peru, following presidential coup in April 1992. Editor of Sendero File, as well as writing and research duties. Required coordinating initiatives and liaisons with the State Department, Congress, Washington foreign policy community and Peruvian partners. Prepared testimony for congressional hearings and participated in seminars and panels on the Peruvian situation.
• Editor of the book, Why Do People Grow Drugs?: Narcotics and Development in the Third World (London: Panos Institute, 1992), drawing on case studies in Colombia, Peru, Bolivia, Thailand, and Pakistan, and providing an interpretive framework for the quandary of source countries in the drug trade. Researched and wrote introduction, conclusions, and other material.
• Research on political violence in Peru, funded by the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation's Program on Peace and International Cooperation. Two essays included in The Shining Path of Peru (New York: St. Martin's Press, 1992), edited by David Scott Palmer.
• Research on rural development and non-governmental organizations, funded by the International Development Research Centre (Canada). Monograph published as Rural Development in the Crossfire: Grassroots Support Organizations in Situations of Political Violence in Peru in 1991. Published in Spanish by the Instituto de Estudios Peruanos in Lima in April 1992.
• Political analysis and consulting work with Occidental Petroleum Company, the Canadian Embassy, Apoyo SA, Macroconsult SA, and the United Nations Development Programme, among others, in Lima. Frequently speaking engagements at academic and research meetings in Peru, Europe, and the United States.

Management: Used management skills to turn around a demoralized publications unit at an international research center.

• Headed the Communication Unit at the International Potato Center (CIP) in Lima, Peru. Promoted to head of Information Department four months later. Supervised 40 employees and a budget of nearly one million dollars.
• Redrafted publications and outreach strategy, including annual report, research magazine, electronic media, and other formats.

Employment History

Education

Bachelor of Arts, Anderson University, IN, cum laude in Sociology and Spanish.

Masters of Science in Information Technology: University of Maryland University College, Executive Program, Adelphi, MD

Additional training on desktop publishing, web development and graphic design.

A formatted version of this résumé is also available on request. Send e-mail to Michael L. Smith mlsmith(at)gci275(dot)com