Jim Rink

1705 Mansfield

Birmingham, MI 48009

(248) 792-2247

OBJECTIVES

To secure freelance employment that allows broad utilization of creative skills.
To diversify career portfolio, earn extra income.

ATTRIBUTES

Eighteen consecutive years as a professional communicator. Have worked as journalist, contributing editor, assistant editor, listserv owner/moderator, Webmaster, content editor, editor, desktop publisher, media relations specialist, corporate spokesperson. Computer skills include knowledge of: Pagemaker, Quark Xpress, Photoshop, WordPerfect, MSWord, Excel, FrontPage, Dreamweaver, Flash, Fireworks, Freehand, HTML.

EXPERIENCE

( Senior Contributing Editor – AAA Michigan (May 1992-present)

Serve in a variety of functions to promote this non-profit, consumer-driven organization

with 1.7 million members in Michigan. Primary duties include researching, writing and

editing PR plans, crisis communication documents, releases, editorials and magazine

articles. Serve as official corporate spokesperson, establishing and maintaining media

contacts and working with insurance, travel and traffic safety departments to promote

corporate values and key branding messages. Earned numerous writing awards

(see Awards & Recognition).

( Staff Writer – AAA Michigan (April 1989-May 1992)

Provided news and feature articles for bi-weekly AAA Michigan employee publication, AAA

Today. While on staff, developed desktop publishing skills and applied those skills to

ancillary projects. Was given editorial responsibility for feature section of the paper.

Earned numerous writing awards (see Awards section of resume).

( Assistant Editor – American Wine Society Journal (1983-present)

Began in 1983 by submitting cartoons - promoted to contributing editor shortly afterward and, in 2005, to assistant editor. Primary duties include researching, writing and proofreading.

( Staff Writer – Associated Newspapers (July 1988-April 1989)

Served as general assignment reporter for the Canton Eagle, an award-winning weekly

newspaper in western Wayne County, Mich. Editorial responsibilities included news gathering

and layout of pages one and three. During this tenure, beats included city government,

education and crime.

Staff Writer – Gaylord Herald-Times (Sept. 1987-July 1988)

Served as general assignment reporter for the Gaylord Herald-Times, an award-winning weekly

newspaper in Otsego County, Mich. Responsible for hard news and features in this resort

community. Covered city government, education and police beat.

Assistant Publications Editor – NASCO (Sep. 1985-June 1987)

Provided design and layout services for all in-house publications of North American Students

of Cooperation (NASCO), a non-profit, Ann Arbor-based organization. Worked 20 hours per

week, while a full-time student at the University of Michigan.

Associate Editor – The Reporter (May 1985--Sept. 1985)

Began as staff writer for community weekly in Troy, Mich. Was promoted to associate editor

shortly before returning to college in the fall. Coordinated editorial page design and layout of

assigned articles.

EDUCATION

· Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan, MA, Communication, PR & Org. Comm., 2000

(GPA--3.92)

· University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, BA, Communication, 1987

(with high distinction)

· Oakland Community College, Royal Oak, Michigan, AA, Communication, 1985

(summa cum laude)

CERTIFICATION

· Foundation Series/I-Net +, Successfully completed foundation series for Certified Internet

Webmaster (CIW) Professional Designer track.

COMMITTEES & COMMUNITY

· Aikido Yoshokai Association of North America (AYANA) – (2000-present).
Official member of Birmingham Dojo. Provided ad design for 30^th anniversary program.

· Digital Detroit (2002-present). Serve as official Digital Detroit Ambassador.

· International Association of Business Communicators (IABC) – Detroit (1989-present). Elected to 2005 board as co-chair of Judging Portfolio. Serve on 2005 Web Redesign Committee.

· Ridgedale Players (1984-present). Director, actor, board member, Webmaster. Produce annual season flyer and show flyers, as well as Web upgrades/redesign.

AWARDS & RECOGNITION

2004 - International Association of Business Communicators (IABC)

Best of Show - 2004

Writing

2004 - International Association of Business Communicators (IABC)

“Renaissance” Award of Excellence

Press Releases

2000 - International Association of Business Communicators (IABC)
"Renaissance" Award of Excellence
News Writing

1998 - Public Relations Society of America (PRSA)*
Silver Anvil Award of Excellence
Public Service/Business

1997 - International Association of Business Communicators (IABC)
"Renaissance" Award of Honor
Press Releases

1996 - Who's Who in the Midwest, 25th edition
Biographee

1996 - Public Relations Society of America (PRSA)*
"North Star" Award of Excellence
Electronic Communication

1996 - International Association of Business Communicators (IABC)
"Silver Quill" Award of Merit
Writing

1995 - Public Relations Society of America (PRSA)
"North Star" Award of Excellence
Portrait of a Young Driver

1995 - International Association of Business Communicators (IABC)
"Renaissance" Award of Excellence
News Writing

1995 - International Association of Business Communicators (IABC)
"Renaissance" Award of Honor
Portrait of a Young Driver

1994 - Public Relations Society of America (PRSA)*
"North Star" Award of Excellence
How to Read a Map

1994 - International Association of Business Communicators (IABC)*
"Renaissance" Honorable Mention
How to Read a Map

1992 - International Association of Business Communicators (IABC)
"Renaissance" Honorable Mention
Feature Writing

1991 - International Association of Business Communicators (IABC)
"Renaissance" Award of Merit
Feature Writing

1989 - International Association of Business Communicators (IABC)
"Silver Quill" Award of Excellence
News Writing

*Denotes shared award.

___________________________________________________________________________________

REFERENCES

Nancy Sarpolis General Motors Internal Communications Manager

Phone: 313-665-2955

E-mail: nancy.a.sarpolis@gm.com

Ben Burns Wayne State University Journalism Director

Phone: 313-577-4572
E-mail: aa5200@wayne.edu

Larry Miller Wayne State University Interim Director Graduate Studies

Phone: 313-577-6296

E-mail: aa3504@wayne.edu