General Management / Communications / Web Content Management

CAREER PROFILE:                                                    

Talented Communications and Management Strategist with professional experience in creative communications, web site redirection, and public affairs. Consistently effective in meeting budget and schedule requirements. Core competencies and expertise in:

Highly effective communicator, building partnerships with key professionals and decision-makers in cross-functional departments. Strong general management and project management capabilities. Skilled in executive presentations. Focus on quality, productivity and results.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE:

Non-Profit Management

  President, Board of Trustees, Society Hill at Lawrenceville Condominium Association. Initiatives include competitive solicitations for site management services, implementation of organic turf management program, budget system enhancements, improved resident communications.

  Assist Lawrenceville Main Street organization in web, computer, and other issues.

  Also see Friends of Railroad Museum entry below.

JimQuest Communications    – current

Personal business to provide web design and consulting services. Certain operations are conducted in concert with the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania, as described under that heading.

  Created new website for Society Hill at Lawrenceville Condominium Association. Organized and rewrote content, performed photography, instituted online service request and feedback forms.

  Designed new website for National Toy Train Museum, Strasburg, PA. Aimed at increasing visitation and online sales for this world-class museum. Project involved audience evaluation, preparation of content, photography, formulation of layout and design. Rebuild of Train Collectors Association, 30,000 member web site, including strategic planning for their multiple web sites.

  Design and maintenance of Lancaster County Museums Council website.

  Successful application for and administration of grant from North American Railway Foundation to facilitate computer system allowing internet searches of library and archives catalogs regarding railroad industry history. Obtained second year grant. Advised Museum Director on implementation of grant, relations with consultant and other contractor, acquired computer resources for large-scale image storage.

Friends of Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania, Strasburg, PA 1992 – present
Various: President, VP, Board of Directors; Computer Consultant and Webmaster

In several executive and consulting capacities, provided management, marketing, communications and computer system advisory services to this active non-profit with nationwide membership.

  Spearheaded effort, designed, and wrote content for comprehensive museum web site, appealing to railroad fans, historians, educators, and the general public. Serve as Webmaster and project director. Design, maintain and update content and look; new features added regularly.
Result: 250-page web site in operation with online ordering for membership and for Museum store items. Has evolved into a key tool in the Museum’s outreach effort and recognition as world-class historical resource.

 Planned and managed implementation of new computer systems; devised LAN strategy; systems planning; server operations; workstation installation and troubleshooting. Procurement and vendor relations.

 Created multimedia shows on railroad history and for visitor attraction. Made research presentations on railroad history.  Named Volunteer of Year 2000.

  As Board Member, Vice President, President, and management advisor, prepared budgets, oversaw personnel and business policies as well as grants, collaborated with State government officials. Promoted new management and fund raising initiatives.

 Wrote and edited publications; seminar / event planning; advise Marketing Director. Logo development and expanded outreach efforts.

Rider University, Lawrenceville, NJ,
Web Content Manager                                 2000 – 2001

First incumbent, initiated major rebuild of outdated 7,000-page web site in concert with Marketing Council, Public Relations Office, and university management. For further information on accomplishments and evaluation of work in this post, including sample web pages, click here.

  Implemented interim "new look" page templates for university identity and standard look/feel and easy navigation.

  Redesigned content of hundreds of pages in preparation for subsequent conversion to "permanent" new look.

  Revamped Undergrad Admissions section for faster download and enhanced content.

  Introduced new features -- campus tour, seasonal / thematic information, audience portals.

  Created major fund-raising site (The Campaign for Rider University) with on-line giving.

  Conducted stakeholder interviews; presented strategic overviews to management.

  Drafted Web Style Guide, wrote analysis of web site's needs. Gave hands-on and classroom instruction to faculty and staff. Promoted updating of content for user relevance/impact.

  Advocated usability design and audience orientation. Developed author toolkit.

  Worked closely with Information Technologies staff on server and technical design aspects.

Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission, Harrisburg, PA           1997
Deputy Executive Director – Customer Service
For further information on this employment, click here. 

Senior Management Executive with full responsibility for Marketing, Communications Center,
Public Information and Public Information, Fare Collection, State Police (1500+ employees).
Final sign-off for all publications (newsletters, brochures, handouts) and public information.
First incumbent.

  Initiated service improvements and organizational efforts to enhance customer service:
    - established and directed the first Turnpike-wide Customer Appreciation Day, with first use of web for public notification.
    - initiated employee newsletter and instituted follow-up customer service
program.
Result: Strengthened morale of Fare Collection workforce while improving customer service. Improved communications and mutual respect through positive management efforts.

  Developed web-site reorganization plan, subsequently implemented. Involved transfer of function, site enhancement recommendations, timely updating.

  Recommended enhancements to radio communications system, with creation of new Duty Officer posts.

  Initiated new selection methods for middle management posts.

  Brought FY 98 budget of $81 million within (flat) target despite wage increases. 

New Jersey Department of Community Affairs, Trenton, NJ 1970 – 1996
For further details on this employment, click here.

Director of Administration (1982 – 1996)

Chosen as top administrative career officer to guide internal administrative operations including $1 billion budget preparation and execution, facilities management, departmental technology strategy planning and management of central services, business operations, liaison with central State offices including Office of Management and Budget and General Services Administration.

  Built 600 desk computer system.

  Managed major expansion and retrenchment of budget, reflecting economic changes and leadership philosophies.

  Managed planning for and occupancy of new 8-story department headquarters.

  Directed system to control major grant programs to local governments and
non-profit organizations.

  Served as advisor to ten Commissioners over the years, on broad range of policy and administrative matters, with special emphasis on continuity of business affairs and internal organization.

  Collaborated with Public Information Office for orientation and consistency.

  Upon advent of NJ State web site, personally planned and directed initial Community Affairs home and other pages, wrote content and provided direction to technical staff as content was expanded. Established initial Internet training and access methods for department staff.

  Administered a department-wide publications control program focusing on quality control and efficiency. Created and issued a departmental publications standards manual.

  Created internal communications to enhance management/employee relations during restructuring (budgetary, organizational, office moves and computer system growth).

Chief, Bureau of Local Management Services (1970 - 1982)

  First incumbent, built the job.

  Created consulting organization serving NJ local governments in multiple professional disciplines including city management, budgeting, IT, city planning, personnel, debt management, public works, federal aid management, etc. 

  Taught municipal finance and administrative subjects to local government officials at Rutgers Extension Service and in direct field presentations.

  Strategized and implemented outreach programs to local government / community groups. Organized series of Departmental Roadshows to bring State officials to local venues for exchanging views and presenting State programs.

  Chief support official for Community Education initiative and for Departmental assistance to bolster city government in Atlantic City following adoption of casino gambling law.

Previously Assistant Business Administrator, City of Trenton, NJ 

Budget, personnel, development, grants management, coordination of operating departments.

EDUCATION:

Wharton Graduate School, University of Pennsylvania
Samuel S. Fels Scholar and Institute Fellow
Master of Governmental Administration

Middlebury College
BA cum laude, Political Science, Phi Beta Kappa

PUBLICATIONS: 

Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania web site www.rrmuseumpa.org
Selected web pages from work at Rider University.
Lancaster County Museums Web site.
National Toy Train Museum web site.
30+ Management Articles, New Jersey Municipalities.
Numerous management / technical assistance booklets, newsletters, reports.
Municipal Budget Training Manual (textbook), Rutgers University.
Transportation Articles in Trains, Locomotive & Railway Preservation, Pennsylvania Heritage, Turnpike Traveler, Railpace, and others.
Web Style Guide, Rider University.
Two railroad history screensavers produced for RR Museum of PA. 
Human relations pieces; Associate Editor of quarterly history journal Milepost.

COMPUTER SKILLS: