Mike Starr

Hello

I'm a senior technical writer with experience creating both print
and online documentation for a variety of high-tech products (both 
hardware and software). Thank you for your time and consideration.

Mike Starr

======================================================================
Michael R. Starr
8920 Wilmot Road
Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin 53158
Telephone:	(262) 694-1028
Email: 		mike@writestarr.com
Web: 		http://www.writestarr.com/


Summary
I'm a senior-level technical writer with extensive experience creating print and online documentation for a variety of high-tech products (both hardware and software). I’m highly skilled with Microsoft Word and have developed numerous templates with VBA/macro document automation. I also have experience as an editor, web developer, graphic designer and I'm also an expert desktop publisher, able to work with any desktop publishing package. I don't need much, if any, handholding. Some writers need a programmer or engineer to sit down with them and guide them through the process or write the first draft, but I have enough background and experience to just go ahead and do it myself. Give me the product, I'll write the documentation.


Functions and specialties
• Documentation
• Technical writing
• Custom Microsoft Word templates
• Desktop publishing
• Technical editing
• Graphic design
• Online help
• Website design
• GUI design/usability


Professional experience
Technical Writer	 	5/2015 – present		Hudson (Mastech)
•	Full-time telecommute. Created online help and quick reference guide for Houghton Mifflin Harcourt (Boston, Massachusetts) using Adobe RoboHelp.

Technical Writer 	11/2014 – 1/2015 	Farenheit IT
• Full-time telecommute. Revised and maintained internal policies and procedures for WellPoint/Anthem (Indianapolis, Indiana) using Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft SharePoint.
• SharePoint administrator for internal SharePoint site.

Technical Writer	5/2014 – 8/2014	Hi-Tech Solutions
• Documented anti-money laundering processes for BMO Harris Bank (Milwaukee, Wisconsin) using Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft SharePoint.
• Created and maintained Microsoft Word template for AML documents.

Instructional Designer/Technical Writer	1/2014 – 3/2014	ProSoft
• Entirely telecommute. Updated, edited, and recreated training documents for Northwestern Mutual Insurance (Franklin, Wisconsin) using Microsoft Word.

Lead Technical Writer	11/2012 – 5/2013	Bard na nGlean
• Full-time telecommute. Created and updated user manuals for Cisco Systems Intelligent Automation for Cloud using Adobe FrameMaker, Paint Shop Pro, Adobe Acrobat, and Microsoft SharePoint.
• Published content to cisco.com using Documentum Web Publisher.
• Accessed agile user stories and tasks using Rally.
• Participated in daily standups using Cisco WebEx Connect and Cisco Jabber.
• Created Microsoft Word template using Microsoft Word for developer-owned content.

Editor/Technical Writer	6/2010 – 8/2010, 4/2011 – 8/2011, 11/2012 – 12/2012	Artech
• Full-time telecommute. Created and updated user manual for Abbott Laboratories (Abbott Park, Illinois) EIDM internal user management application using Microsoft Word, Paint Shop Pro, Adobe Acrobat, and Microsoft SharePoint.
• Created quick reference.
• Updated HTML templates for EIDM customer messages
• Created web-based help with RoboHelp.

Editor/Technical Writer	10/2011 – 8/2012	Accord
• Full-time telecommute. Created and updated BSP document for Garrett Technologies (Northbrook, Illinois) using Microsoft Word, Paint Shop Pro and Adobe Acrobat.
• Created custom Microsoft Word 2010 template for client documents.

Editor/Technical Writer	8/2010 – 4/2011	Artech
• Full-time telecommute. Revised user manual and online help for Abbott Medical Optics (Santa Ana, California) WhiteStar Signature Phacoemulsification System using Adobe Technical Communication Suite, single-sourcing online web help from the structured FrameMaker operator’s manual (with XML and DITA) via RoboHelp.
• Created and managed SVRs with MKS Integrity

Business Analyst/Technical Writer	8/2009 – 11/2009	Mullins and Associates
• Created content prep documents (wireframes) for Abbott Laboratories (Abbott Park, Illinois) myHR portal using Microsoft Word.
• Created and maintained site map spreadsheets using Microsoft Excel.
• Loaded and configured myHR portal content using SAP NetWeaver Visual Composer and SharePoint.
• Created content loading training presentation using Microsoft PowerPoint and Paint Shop Pro.

Consulting Technical Writer/Editor	10/1999 – present	WriteStarr Information Services
• Created print and online documentation using Microsoft Word, Paint Shop Pro, Visio, Adobe Acrobat and Doc-to-Help for a manufacturer of clocks that feature enterprise-wide synchronization.
• Created Microsoft Word template files with document automation functionality for a major banking company and a travel services company.
• Created print and online documentation using Microsoft Word, Paint Shop Pro, Visio, Adobe Acrobat and RoboHelp for new consumer software products for a manufacturer of wireless communication equipment and software.
• Edited investment analyst reports for a prominent financial analyst company.
• Created updated versions of Microsoft Word template files with extensive document automation functionality for a major travel-industry company.
• Created printed and online documentation with Microsoft Word, Adobe Acrobat and ForeHelp for a systems integrator/software company.
• Created print and online documentation using Microsoft Word, Adobe Acrobat and ForeHelp for new consumer software products for two different software companies.
• Served as technical editor of translated documents for New York-based translation company.
• Assisted in the redesign of several sections of the printed catalog for a large biotech company (resulted in substantial savings in printing costs).
• Created online documentation using RoboHelp for content management system for an educational publisher.
• Created websites for several small companies and two non-profit associations (pro-bono).

Business Analyst/Technical Writer	7/2008 – 4/2009	Alliance Consulting
• Documented accounting procedures for Legion Insurance (Milwaukee, Wisconsin) using Microsoft Word, Paint Shop Pro, Adobe Acrobat Professional, Adobe Captivate, and Visio.
• Designed and implemented documentation templates.

Technical Writer	12/2007 – 3/2008	New Resources Consulting
• Created print and online documentation for the Inflection Point Solutions (Milwaukee, Wisconsin) PIMS (Pretreatment Information Management System) using Microsoft Word, Paint Shop Pro, Adobe Acrobat Professional, Doc-To-Help, Bugzilla, and Visio.
• Revised and updated a series of PIMS training courses.
• Designed and implemented documentation templates.
Business Analyst/Technical Writer	6/2007 – 10/2007	Connection Strategies Enterprises, Inc. (CSEI)
• Created print and online documentation for the FedEx SmartPost (New Berlin, Wisconsin) sortation reengineering project in a .NET and Citrix environment using Microsoft Word, Paint Shop Pro, Adobe Acrobat, Doc-To-Help, SourceForge, and Visio.
• Designed and implemented documentation templates.

Technical Writer	6/2006 – 6/2007	Connection Strategies Enterprises, Inc. (CSEI)
• Created print and online documentation for WAREsystems (Sturtevant, Wisconsin) using Microsoft Word, Microsoft Visual FoxPro, Paint Shop Pro, Adobe Acrobat, Adobe Illustrator, Visio and RoboHelp.
• Designed and implemented documentation templates.
• Redesigned several key GUI elements for the Pumpware product suite using Microsoft Visual FoxPro.
• Assisted in the design of GUI elements for implementation of GPS tracking features.

Technical Writer	2/2006 – 5/2006	Manpower Professional
• Wrote and updated software and hardware documentation for Honeywell HomMed LLC (Brookfield, Wisconsin) using Adobe Acrobat, Adobe Photoshop, Paint Shop Pro, Microsoft Word, Visio.
• Served as a member of the RFP and RFI team developing proposals and information responses.
• Created Engineering Change Notices (ECNs) for the release of new parts and bills of material (BOM).
• Established documentation standards and style guidelines including development of Microsoft Word templates.

Technical Writer	5/2005 – 8/2005	TEK Systems
• Updated SAP process documentation flowcharts and Business Process Narratives for S.C. Johnson Corporation (Racine, Wisconsin) using Microsoft Word, Paint Shop Pro, RoboHelp HTML, Adobe Acrobat and Visio.
• Received Administrator training for Microsoft SharePoint.

Technical Writer	3/2005 – 5/2005	Technisource
• Wrote and edited software development requirements documentation for Shure Corporation (Niles, Illinois) using Microsoft Word, Paint Shop Pro, Test Director, Visio and CaliberRM.

Technical Writer	10/2004 – 2/2005	MAKE Corporation
• Wrote and edited software development documentation including requirements, architecture and testing for Volkswagen Credit (Libertyville, Illinois) using Microsoft Word, Paint Shop Pro, Test Director, Visio, Visual SourceSafe.

Technical Writer	2/2004 – 9/2004	TEK Systems
• Wrote and edited end-user and developer (API) software documentation for Marshall & Swift/Boeckh (New Berlin, Wisconsin) using RoboHelp Office, Microsoft Word, Adobe Acrobat, Paint Shop Pro and Visio.
• Created single-source solution for print, PDF and WebHelp for MS/B’s RCT Express product.
• Coordinated and edited French translation of WinHelp for MS/B’s RCT product.
• Created highly automated Microsoft Word template with macros for all MS/B products.

Technical Writer/Editor	9/2003 – 2/2004	York Enterprise Solutions
• Wrote and edited policies and procedures for the GE Medical Systems Global Server Team (Milwaukee, Wisconsin) using Microsoft Word, Adobe Acrobat, Paint Shop Pro, Visio.

Technical Communicator	5/2003 – 9/2003	Manpower
• Edited and formatted marketing documents, specialty catalogs and user manuals for Allen-Bradley (Milwaukee, Wisconsin) using Adobe FrameMaker, Microsoft Word, Adobe Acrobat, Adobe Illustrator

Senior Technical Writer	04/1999 – 10/1999	Interim Technology
• Created online documentation for ADAC Genesys/Pegasys Nuclear Imaging system in support of GE Medical Systems Healthcare Services business (Waukesha, Wisconsin).
• Served as technical expert and principal designer of Microsoft Word template used in development of online documentation for delivery in Adobe Acrobat PDF format.
• Created scripting to add functionality to PDF document.

Senior Technical Writer	07/1998 – 02/1999	PLATINUM technology
• Created user manuals, online help files and online documentation for PLATINUM technology (Northbrook, Illinois) ProVision Network Monitor and Network Report Card application software products.
• Designed HTML user interface for the Network Report Card application; designed and created installation script for software product.

Consulting Technical Writer	02/1998 – 07/1998	WriteStarr Information Services
• Created user manuals, online help files and online documentation for Geneva Software (Northbrook, Illinois) AlertPage Enterprise and Network Report Card software products.
Technical Writer/Editor	04/1997 – 10/1997	Adecco
• Created and coordinated application support documentation for 40 Solaris telecom applications for Ameritech startup long distance service company (Milwaukee, Wisconsin).
• Edited procedures documentation created by two procedures analysts.
• Designed and supervised development of Lotus Notes database for application support even log and management report creation.

Technical Writer	01/1997 – 03/1997	Systems and Computer Technology
• Created and documented change-management procedures for Continental Cablevision (Richmond, Virginia) IBM RS/6000/AIX/Tuxedo/Oracle system
• Worked on application documentation for Remedy multi-platform customer service application.
• Worked on policies and procedures documentation for QA group.
Senior Technical Communicator	03/1994 – 08/1996	Rockwell Software
• Created new user's manuals and on-line documentation for Rockwell Software (West Allis, Wisconsin) using Microsoft Word, Adobe Acrobat, Paint Shop Pro and ForeHelp.
• Created data sheets and catalog text for Communications Business Unit products.


Education
• Usability Certificate, Society for Technical Communication
• AAS, Technical Communication, Gateway Technical College, Racine, Wisconsin
• AAS, Electromechanical Technology (Robotics), Gateway Technical College, Racine, Wisconsin


Publications
• Give them printed documentation, too!, Intercom (Society for Technical Communication), June, 1999; reprinted in TC Forum, December, 2001


Software
• Adobe products:
• Technical Communication Suite
• Acrobat Professional
• Captivate
• Dreamweaver
• FrameMaker
• Illustrator
• PageMaker
• PhotoShop
• RoboHELP
• Cisco products
• WebEx Connect
• Jabber
• Corel products:
• Draw
• Paint Shop Pro
• Ventura Publisher
• WordPerfect
• Microsoft products:
• Access
• Excel
• Front Page
• Internet Explorer
• MS-DOS
• Office
• Outlook
• PowerPoint
• Project
• SharePoint
• Visio
• Visual Basic for Applications (VBA)
• Visual FoxPro
• Visual SourceSafe
• Windows (all versions)
• Word
• Other products:
• Documentum Web Publisher
• SAP NetWeaver Visual Composer
• Agile
• Rally
• MKS Integrity
• WordPress
• Artisteer
• Doc-To-Help
• HTML
• KompoZer (Nvu)
• Quark XPress
• SnagIT
• SourceForge
• Test Director
• Bugzilla
• CaliberRM
• Cascading style sheets (CSS)


Memberships
• President – Working Writers of Wisconsin
• Former member – Curriculum committee, Gateway Technical College Technical Communication program

Copyright(c) 1995 1996 1997 Mike Starr and The Software Contractors' Guild, Post Office Box 257, Nottingham, NH USA 03290-0257