Professional Writing
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Writing/Research
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Business/Technical
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Content Marketing
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Grants
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Speaking
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Professional Writing/Research Experiences (select)
Published Professional Writing Examples
Why Hydroelectric Power Isn’t Considered Renewable
For Linked In
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/20140710135110-294192772-why-hydroelectric-power-isn-t-considered-renewable/
Nearly 20,000 views
A renewable, clean energy source should be simple to identify. If the source cannot be depleted and produces virtually zero greenhouse gases, it meets the two standards of definition of “clean and renewable.”
The Grizzly Bear Myth
For Montana Fitness Magazine
https://montanafitnesssite.wordpress.com/2017/08/29/the-grizzly-bear-myth/
I used to go camping a lot. Living has gotten in the way in recent years but lately I have recommitted myself to getting back out there. I’ve camped all over the country but truly, there is nowhere better than Montana.
Seven Bullets: The Real Weakness of the Grid
For Energy Central
https://www.energycentral.com/c/pip/seven-bullets-real-weakness-grid
In a world where the term cyber-attack is front of mind on the stewards of the nation’s critical infrastructure, the clear and present danger to America’s transmission grid is far less reliant on advanced technology.
The State of the Grid
For Energy Central
https://www.energycentral.com/c/tr/state-grid
According to the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) “It is a grid of yesterday. When you lose the internet – you’re back in 1979. If you lose the power system – you’re back in 1879.”
Oil and Our Future: Two Possible Scenarios
For the Manzella Report
http://www.manzellareport.com/index.php/u-s/1085-oil-and-our-future-two-possible-scenarios
The oil industry, and perhaps the global economy, is standing at a crossroads. Down one path, the storm is over — and it has been a major storm.
Lifting the Oil Export Ban: The Impact
For the Manzella Report
http://www.manzellareport.com/index.php/economy/1071-lifting-the-oil-export-ban-the-impact
State of Depression
For Montana Fitness Magazine
https://montanafitnesssite.wordpress.com/2017/12/31/jan-feb-2018-articles/
Depression is an illness. Suicide is the shattering end game for people who suffer from depression and other mental health issues.
- Primary Contributor. Energy Ink Magazine. 2012-2019.
- Primary Contributor. Montana Fitness Magazine. 2016-2018.
- Contributor. Manzella Report. 2014 to 2016
- Research. Population Loss in Rural Montana. Wheatland County. 2011.
- Paper. “Northern Cheyenne Demographic and Economic Study.” 2005.
- Author/Editor. The Civil War Journals of Perry Weaver. 1996.
- Author. "Charter Statement for the Confederation of Illinois Reform Efforts." 1995.
- Author. "Teaching History Backwards," award winning essay series. 1994.
Published Professional Writing Examples
Why Hydroelectric Power Isn’t Considered Renewable
For Linked In
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/20140710135110-294192772-why-hydroelectric-power-isn-t-considered-renewable/
Nearly 20,000 views
A renewable, clean energy source should be simple to identify. If the source cannot be depleted and produces virtually zero greenhouse gases, it meets the two standards of definition of “clean and renewable.”
The Grizzly Bear Myth
For Montana Fitness Magazine
https://montanafitnesssite.wordpress.com/2017/08/29/the-grizzly-bear-myth/
I used to go camping a lot. Living has gotten in the way in recent years but lately I have recommitted myself to getting back out there. I’ve camped all over the country but truly, there is nowhere better than Montana.
Seven Bullets: The Real Weakness of the Grid
For Energy Central
https://www.energycentral.com/c/pip/seven-bullets-real-weakness-grid
In a world where the term cyber-attack is front of mind on the stewards of the nation’s critical infrastructure, the clear and present danger to America’s transmission grid is far less reliant on advanced technology.
The State of the Grid
For Energy Central
https://www.energycentral.com/c/tr/state-grid
According to the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) “It is a grid of yesterday. When you lose the internet – you’re back in 1979. If you lose the power system – you’re back in 1879.”
Oil and Our Future: Two Possible Scenarios
For the Manzella Report
http://www.manzellareport.com/index.php/u-s/1085-oil-and-our-future-two-possible-scenarios
The oil industry, and perhaps the global economy, is standing at a crossroads. Down one path, the storm is over — and it has been a major storm.
Lifting the Oil Export Ban: The Impact
For the Manzella Report
http://www.manzellareport.com/index.php/economy/1071-lifting-the-oil-export-ban-the-impact
State of Depression
For Montana Fitness Magazine
https://montanafitnesssite.wordpress.com/2017/12/31/jan-feb-2018-articles/
Depression is an illness. Suicide is the shattering end game for people who suffer from depression and other mental health issues.
Market Research/Business Plans (partial as examples)
- Military Contractor. 2020. Targeting System White paper presentation to special forces leadership. (NDA controlled).
- ProWellness Academy. 2019. Comprehensive business model in expanding this company's behavioral health offerings in opioid addiction treatment to rural California.
- Hearing Armor. 2019. Viability study including acoustic and ballistics research on effectiveness of patented hearing protection product.
- LR-x Marketing Analysis and Lean Marketing Plan. 2018. Extensive research prospectus and marketing plan (100 page document) for Army Research Lab software license acquired by multi-million dollar tech company.
- Rural Population Loss in Wheatland County, MT. 2012. 100 page research work on economic impact of population loss in rural Montana.
- Lame Deer Bottled Water Company, 2007; Authored business plan and prospectus to create a bottled water company for the Northern Cheyenne tribe.
- Cheyenne Pharmaceuticals, 2006; Authored business plan and prospectus for discount prescription drug company.
- Northern Cheyenne Social Preservation Project, Inc, 2001; Authored 501c3 business plan and operating prospectus for non-profit rural CDC.
Content Marketing Examples (including process):
I have also done proprietary work for Nike and Adobe in content marketing and market research
- Dental Software Website blog/article -1,000 words. Shows how I embedded keywords and keyword strings
- Off Road Survival website blog/article-750 words. Hits several off-roading keywords. This work (including other articles) promoted this site's Google presence from page 20 to page 1 for certain keyword searches!
- Wireless Router Review - for an East Coast cable provider
- Fire Pit Masonry and Pavers - for the industry leading company in landscape brickwork.
I have also done proprietary work for Nike and Adobe in content marketing and market research
Authored Grants/Exclusive Licenses
My Grant Writing Methodology and Philosophy.
The below describes, in part, why I've had a 90% success rate in grant applications.
Grant writing is not an art form, it is a technical skill. It took a failed 501c3 application I wrote twenty years ago to realize this. The IRS agent in charge of that application was very helpful in educating me as to the “skill” of writing applications and grants for the Federal Government. That 501c3 app was later approved. Since then, nearly every grant I have written for Federal Funding has been successful as I am critically aware of the three keys to such success:
1. Project to grant alignment. The grant’s goals must align to the project seeking funding. However, as perfect alignment to grant goals is often impossible, there are methods for “tweaking” (ethically done, by the way) project sub goals to help. Attempting to “crowbar in” a misaligned project will most certainly lead to a failed application.
2. Follow the points. Federal grants follow a grading rubric, or a points grid. Each question carries a maximum number of points. Some include “bonus points”. For instance, if the project will be accessible by under-served populations, often, bonus points are applied. (I have provided an example of a Federal grant scoring grid I used for a HUD grant. -see below link) The key here is evidence. Any assertion made under a grant question must be supported by evidence. Frankly, that is an easy input that is often lost on amateur grant writers. Explaining how a project aligns to the goals of a grant is key. Additionally, my research skills are excellent and have always served to assist my grant work.
3. Technical, not creative. This is the “skill” side of grant writing. Actual people read these grants. That much is ignored by even seasoned grant writers. As such, these humans want the grant questions answered in a complete and concise manner, period. Get to the point, provide evidence, move on. Any effort to tug on heart strings or deliver flowery monologues will cost you points. (This is what I learned from the helpful IRS agent)
- License Application for U.S. Army Research Laboratory Technology. Exclusive global license application on behalf of a technology company. Successful and received August 2017.
- Caesers Foundation Grant for Wish Upon A Star, 2012. $25,000. Provided terminally ill children with a "wish" of a lifetime.
- HUD Imminent Threat Grant, 2007; $335,000. Grant provided new water filtration systems for the Northern Cheyenne Reservation’s municipal water service needs.
- USDA Rural Business Enterprise Grant (RBEG) Business Incubator, 2005; $68,000. Created fund for tribal business ventures business ventures.
- USDA Rural Development, Rural Housing Service Grant, 2004; $85,000. Grant raised funds to renovate office space and community meeting center in Lame Deer, MT.
- USDA Rural Business Enterprise Grant (RBEG) Feasibility Studies, 2003; $90,000. Funded four business feasibility studies of potential tribal business ventures.
My Grant Writing Methodology and Philosophy.
The below describes, in part, why I've had a 90% success rate in grant applications.
Grant writing is not an art form, it is a technical skill. It took a failed 501c3 application I wrote twenty years ago to realize this. The IRS agent in charge of that application was very helpful in educating me as to the “skill” of writing applications and grants for the Federal Government. That 501c3 app was later approved. Since then, nearly every grant I have written for Federal Funding has been successful as I am critically aware of the three keys to such success:
1. Project to grant alignment. The grant’s goals must align to the project seeking funding. However, as perfect alignment to grant goals is often impossible, there are methods for “tweaking” (ethically done, by the way) project sub goals to help. Attempting to “crowbar in” a misaligned project will most certainly lead to a failed application.
2. Follow the points. Federal grants follow a grading rubric, or a points grid. Each question carries a maximum number of points. Some include “bonus points”. For instance, if the project will be accessible by under-served populations, often, bonus points are applied. (I have provided an example of a Federal grant scoring grid I used for a HUD grant. -see below link) The key here is evidence. Any assertion made under a grant question must be supported by evidence. Frankly, that is an easy input that is often lost on amateur grant writers. Explaining how a project aligns to the goals of a grant is key. Additionally, my research skills are excellent and have always served to assist my grant work.
3. Technical, not creative. This is the “skill” side of grant writing. Actual people read these grants. That much is ignored by even seasoned grant writers. As such, these humans want the grant questions answered in a complete and concise manner, period. Get to the point, provide evidence, move on. Any effort to tug on heart strings or deliver flowery monologues will cost you points. (This is what I learned from the helpful IRS agent)
Speaking Engagements
- Boilermakers Western States Tripartite Meeting (for the Democrats!)
- American's For Prosperity Regional Meetings (for the Republicans!)
- TRAC Energy Expo