2014 TechComm Winners Roadshow

Judy Wyrick and the Biological and Environmental Research Information System Team, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Research Priorities for Tropical Ecosystems Under Climate Change, Informational Materials, International Award of Distinction and Best of Show (Print) A Note from Summit Best of Show Winner (featured in STC Notebook) Presentation (in Google Drive) | Presentation PDF | Presentation Web version | Full version of Report PodcastJudy Wyrick is production manager of the Biological and Environmental Research Information System (BERIS; genomicscience.energy.gov) at Oak Ridge National Laboratory in Tennessee. She contributes to the editing, writing, design, and press and electronic production of multidisciplinary, scientific communication products for the Department of Energy Office of Science. She has worked more than 33 years in an array of formats (e.g., technical reports, roadmaps, brochures, flyers, presentations, exhibition materials, and graphics). Judy also served 3 years as managing editor of the journal, Forum for Applied Research and Public Policy (jointly published by ORNL and the University of Tennessee). Experience in the biological (genomics) and materials sciences, as well as journalistic training, contributes to developing strategic product content, enhancing presentation of material, and advancing criteria required for award-winning documents. Other interests include hiking and history.|

Catherine Sprankle: Integrated Laboratory Systems, 2010-2011 ICCVAM Biennial Progress Report, Informational Materials, Award of Distinction, STC International Summit Awards, 2014 Presentation (in Google Drive) | Presentation PDF | PodcastCatherine Sprankle is a scientific and technical writer who focuses on life science research. She works as a Senior Communications Specialist for Integrated Laboratory Systems, Inc., (ILS) in Research Triangle Park, NC. Her group supports NICEATM, an office of the National Toxicology Program that evaluates and promote alternatives to animal use for product safety testing of chemical products. She manages the NICEATM website (http://ntp.niehs.nih.gov/pubhealth/evalatm/index.html) and other communications activities including reports, news articles, and scientific poster presentations. Cathy has a bachelor's degree in biology from the University of Virginia, a certificate in bioinformatics, and an M.S. in technical communication from North Carolina State University. Prior to joining ILS, she worked as a research scientist for various government, nonprofit, and pharmaceutical industry employers. Her other interests include gardening and performing arts.

Deborah Hemstreet with Dvora Kreda, Guy Nawy, Ramban Medical Center, Rambam Healthcare Campus Visitor's Packet (from Israel), Informational Materials, Award of Excellence, STC International Summit Awards, 2014 Presentation (in Google Drive) | Presentation PDF | Podcast

Deborah Hemstreet has been a technical communicator for over 20 years, following 7 years working as Licensed Practical Nurse. She received her MA in Technical Communication from the University of Brighton in 2002. She has worked in hospitals, academia, high-tech, and as an independent contractor and consultant. Currently she is an English Editor and Writer to the Administration of Rambam Medical Center, the largest hospital in Northern Israel, as well as the Editorial Assistant for Rambam Maimonides Medical Journal. She has received over 10 awards for work excellence and her work in technical communication. Her hobbies include writing and photography, and raising two cats named Pharaoh and Cleopatra Fluff-Fluff.

Jeff Hemsing, Tim Freeman, Chip Bridgeman, Paul Radzinski, Jean Dooling: WeatherFordPressureWave Formation Pressure Tester Promotional Materials, Merit Award, STC International Summit Awards 2014 and Award of Distinction, Greater NY-PMC-Houston Regional TechComm Competition Presentation (in Google Drive) |Presentation PDF | PodcastJeff Hemsing is currently the Global Product Champion for Weatherford’s PressureWave™ formation tester. He has a degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Alberta along with a master’s degree in petroleum engineering from Heriot Watt University in Edinburgh, Scotland. During his almost 20 year career, Jeff has spent the past 10 years working with formation tester interpretation and tools in both wireline and LWD. During his career, Jeff has been actively involved in the formation tester applications in tight gas reservoirs, next generation wireline formation tester project along with sensor development & commercialization for LWD formation testers. Jeff has presented technical seminars on formation testing tools and interpretation techniques in Houston, Romania and Colombia.

Tim Freeman is a digital artist specializing in 3d animation and illustrations. He received his Bachelors of Fine Arts from The Art Institute of Houston in 2006. Shortly after graduating, he began working as a bio-medical animator developing informative animations for marketing and educational purposes. Following his career in the medical industry he transitioned into a more independent role producing marketing videos and graphics for Weatherford Drilling Services. Being a multi-disciplined artist, Tim utilizes an array of skills, experience and talent to develop technical concepts into digital designs in both motion media and illustration. His other interests include, sketching, photography, web design and creative tinkering.

Chip Bridgeman is currently the Global Marketing Communications Manager for Weatherford Drilling Services. He has a degree in Communications/Media from the University of Fitchburg in Massachusetts. Chip started his communications career creating classified technical illustrations and presentations for the Department of Defense. After relocating to Texas in 1989, he gained design experience at a Woodlands ad agency which had a drilling services company for a client. That drilling services company offered a curriculum development position in their training department and that was the beginning of 24 years in oilfield services. Chip has held numerous supervisory and management positions in technical publications, curriculum development, and marketing.

Ugur Akinci, Honeywell, NetAXS-123 Video Kit Startup & Installation Guide Set Version 2 Instructional Materials, Award of Excellence, STC Washington DC- Baltimore Awards 2013 Presentation (in Google Drive) | Presentation PDF | Podcast

Ugur Akinci, Ph.D., is a senior technical communicator working for Fortune 100 corporations since 1998. For the last 11 years he has worked for Honeywell Access Control systems documenting alarm systems. Born and raised in Turkey, Ugur has worked as a writer, editor, and publisher in the United States since the mid-80s. In mid 90's he covered the U.S. State Department and the U.S. Congress as a reporter working for a daily newspaper. He believes as technical communicators we have a special mission to bring order and clarity to a world mired in disorganized and ambiguous information. Currently he is the President of STC Washington D.C. Baltimore chapter. He owns tcc6.com, a web site dedicated to technical communication tips and tutorials since 2007. He lives with his wife in Maryland.

Gregory Pfister and Mary Casull with Melinda Gjenasa, Frances Gambino, Information Builders. Creating Financial Reports, Information BuildersUser Support Materials, Award of Excellence, STC International Summit Awards 2014 Presentation (in Google Drive) | PDF | PodcastGregory Pfister has worked at Information Builders for 5 years. He is the lead technical writer for the WebFOCUS desktop products, Developer Studio and App Studio. Greg graduated from NYU Polytechnic School of Engineering with a Bachelors degree in Technical Communications.

Mary Casull is the Technical Writing Manager for a team that designs and develops technical content for a variety of software products at Information Builders, Inc. Her team includes three full-time writers and a release editor. In the past year, this team has created technical videos, quick-start guides, online Help, and manuals that supported the launch of two new products. Mary is a graduate of the Professional Communications program at Farmingdale State College. Prior to beginning at Information Builders, Mary worked on technical guides and marketing materials for a private manufacturing company.