About Me
I am an award-winning journalist with extensive experience in newspapers, online, through social media and working with television partners. I have worked in marketing as a website content researcher and writer. I now work as a senior retirement editor for Kiplinger. I investigate, analyze and explain complex subjects to make them relatable to all readers. I am able to adapt my skills to any environment and thrive on deadline.
August 2021- Present: Senior Retirement Editor at Kiplinger
Write, edit and direct coverage for Kiplinger’s Retirement Report, Kiplinger.com, Kiplinger’s Personal Finance magazine, and other Kiplinger publications. Work with various constituencies to drive traffic and attention to the site and individual stories. Generate timely story ideas. Promoted to this position in May 2022. Previously was associate personal finance editor primarily for Kiplinger.com.
February 2020-August 2021 : Freelance Writer
Write news and marketing content for various clients, including insurance industry newsletters, Property Insurance Report and Auto insurance Report. Some clients are confidential.
May 2020-February 2021: Legal Examiner Staff Writer
Researched and woite news and analysis for consumer-facing legal website. Generate ideas, interview experts and newsmakers for website that is transitioning from paid content to journalism. One of two staff writers helping chart the course for this site. Ultimately they couldn’t make the finances work and closed the news operation.
March 2017-February 2020: Launch That, Orlando, FL: Lead Writer and Researcher/Senior Content Writer
Researched and wrote content for Annuity.org and other marketing and legal websites, including Drugwatch.com. Topics ranged from consumer finances to prescription drugs; medical devices and legal issues. I also have written for a law firm website and for businesses including legal marijuana. In addition, I have written op eds for outside publications.
May 2016 – March 2017: Federal Public Defender’s Office, Tampa, FL: Assistant Investigator
Assist attorneys and investigators on criminal cases. Research court records, interview and coordinate witnesses, identify potential legal issues.
January 2003 – May 2016: The Tampa Tribune and TBO.com Tampa, FL: Senior Reporter
Covered primarily state and federal legal and court issues, as well as federal law enforcement, investigating and writing about topics from terrorism to white collar crime to international drug cartels and tax fraud for newspaper and website. Also covered other subjects when needed.
April 1987 – December 2002: Asbury Park Press , Neptune, NJ: Senior Reporter
Covered Superior Court and legal issues from 1991. Also helped guide the newsroom through issues that arose during coverage of Sept. 11, serving as a mentor and liaison between staff and management. Previous beats included psychiatric hospital, military base and several municipalities.
Awards
• 2020 Digital writing Platinum award issued by MarCom for feature on annuity puzzle
– 2018 Digital Health Writing. Silver award for feature on pharma’s role in the opioid crisis.
• 2014 SPJ Florida Sunshine State Awards Second Place Large Newspaper Non-Deadline News Reporting.
• 2013 Florida Society of Newspaper Editors First Place Community Leadership.
• 2012 – Best of the Bay Creative Loafing Critics’ Pick – Best Local Print Investigation
• October 2011 Mega Award, Media General-wide award for watchdog journalism.
• 2011 Fellowship at Journalist Law School, Loyola Law School, Los Angeles, CA.
• January 2009 Employee of the Month for Media General Florida properties in the category of Innovation.
• October 2008, in-house quarterly award for “beat buster,” excellence in covering my beat.
• August 2008 Mega Award, Media General-wide award for best-written news story.
• 2000-2005 Founding president of the Dart Society, a national organization of journalists concerned with issues relating to trauma.
• SPJ New Jersey 2001 Second Place Profile Writing
• Dart Ochberg Fellowship 2000. One of six journalists selected nationwide to study journalism and trauma. Later named Senior Fellow.
• Garden State Association of Black Journalists 1999 Second Place Feature Writing
• Asbury Park Press Senior Reporting Fellow 1997-98
• Knight Center for Specialized Journalism 1996 Fellow
• The Dart Awards 1996 Finalist in national competition honoring excellence in reporting on victims of violence
• New Jersey Press Association 1995 First Place Interpretive Writing
• North Jersey Press Association 1993 First Place Spot News
• New Jersey Press Association 1987 Third Place Public Service