Michael L. Smith
Phone: 301.309.6564 // Mobile: 240.413.5349
E-mail: gci275@gmail.com
About.me // LinkedIn
Professional Summary
A communicator who uses writing and editing experience, flexible management skills and technology expertise to enhance the value and impact of information.
Fluency in Spanish, a multicultural background and 18 years’ experience abroad enable an international perspective.
Highlights of Qualifications
- Adept at managing multiple initiatives and tasks as a project lead, journalist, manager and consultant who had to develop and delivered assignments on schedule.
- Experienced at finding, evaluating, analyzing, and synthesizing information from multiple sources.
- Skilled at writing and editing for multiple purposes and audiences, working in English and Spanish.
- Knowledgeable about the strategic convergence of technology and information in international organizations.
Professional Experience
Writing and editing: carried out journalistic activities: breaking news coverage, investigative reporting, feature writing, commentary, 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.
- Coordinated an emergency response for Federation of American Scientists
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), drew on case studies in Colombia, Peru, Bolivia, Thailand, and Pakistan, and provided an interpretive framework for the role of source countries in the illicit 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. Frequent 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 journal, electronic media, and other formats.
Technology and the Web: Provide consulting services (writing, editing, translation, web development and graphic design) to enhance the quality and impact
of content
- Develop web sites for several organizations. HTML, Cascading Style Sheets. Experience at converting documents into web content. Graphics.
- Currently own and operate a small web service company working with non-profit organizations.
Advise GlobalSecurity.org on information architecture and web development issues. Host multiple web sites.
Employment History
8/05-04/13 |
Communications Officer
Inter-American Drug Abuse Control Commission
CICAD / OAS |
Washington, DC |
7/01-8/05 |
Technology Officer
Information Technology Services / OITS
OAS |
Washington, DC |
4/00-6/01 |
Information Technology Officer / Web Developer
Inter-American Telecommunications Commission / OAS
CITEL |
Washington, DC |
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 (2003), Adelphi, MD
Additional training on web development, desktop publishing, productivity applications, project management and evaluation, and photography.
A formatted version of this résumé is also available on request. Send e-mail to Michael L. Smith mlsmith(at)gci275(dot)com