My story
From a kid who devoured fact books to a technical writer with 26 years of turning complexity into clarity — here's how I got here.
I grew up in Watervliet, a blue-collar town in upstate New York, surrounded by factories and with the nation's oldest cannon armory just south of my childhood home. I've always been naturally curious and eager to learn. As a kid, I collected rocks, looked at specimens under a microscope, read about faraway places, explored scientific discoveries, and learned about ancient civilizations. I was always fascinated by how things worked and how much there was to discover. That curiosity has stayed with me throughout my life, and I've never lost my love of learning or my desire to explore new ideas.
As a child, I dreamed of becoming a physician. Although I had the grades and the drive to pursue medicine, I eventually found my path in technical communication, where I could combine two things I’ve always loved: science and writing. I earned my B.S. in Professional and Technical Communication from SUNY Polytechnic Institute, followed by an M.S. in Technical Communication with a focus on Human-Computer Interaction (HCI). My first job after graduate school was as a technical editor at an Electronic Design Automation (EDA) software company in Oregon. That opportunity not only launched my career in technical communication but also brought me from the East Coast to the West Coast. I've worked for companies of all sizes, from startups and midsize businesses to Fortune 500 organizations. Along the way, I've had the opportunity to learn about a wide range of industries and technologies, including semiconductors, e-commerce, operating systems, automotive retail, marketing and analytics, defense, and large-scale data center operations. One of the things I've enjoyed most about my career is constantly learning something new. I've also had the chance to call six states home: New York, Oregon, Montana, Vermont, Washington, and Georgia. These days, I call the Peach State home.
Twenty-six years later, I still love what I do. Over the years, I've worked on just about every kind of technical content, from video scripts and an AI-generated sticker for a radar rapid deployment kit to API references, onboarding guides, style guides, white papers, proposals, and online help. The tools have changed—from FrameMaker to Markdown and from manual research to LLMs—but the goal has always been the same: take something complex or confusing and make it clear and easy to understand. At the end of the day, I love helping people go from questioning to clarity. Nobody is born an expert, but anyone can become one.
What I believe about good writing
Clarity is kindness
I believe making writing easier to understand shows respect for the user and their time.
Technical correctness versus grammatical correctness
My philosophy is that technical accuracy should always come before perfect grammar in technical documentation. I believe getting the information right is what matters most because even a small mistake in technical instructions can confuse readers or lead to bigger problems. Grammar is important, but I would rather have writing that is technically correct than perfectly worded but inaccurate.
Test what you write
I believe testing the UI and its associated workflows is an essential part of creating effective documentation. Instructions should go beyond simply looking good on paper; they must be practical, accurate, and easy for users to follow in real-world situations. Testing helps uncover unclear steps, missing information, and potential errors before they negatively affect the user experience.
Plain language is a superpower
I believe plain language is a superpower for technical writers because our job is to make things easier for the end user. We shouldn't make people work harder to understand instructions or figure out what something means. There's no need for fancy words or complicated explanations when simple language gets the job done. If an end user can read the documentation, understand it, and get on with their work without confusion, then I've done my job.
Outside the office
Outside of work, I enjoy all things automotive, watching Jeopardy!, collecting and listening to vinyl records, watching and reviewing movies, attending concerts, and traveling. In my personal time, I also enjoy supporting causes that are important to me, especially education, cancer research, and poverty alleviation.
I'm also married with two elementary school-aged children who keep life exciting with their many activities and our family's shared adventures.
A few things about me
I love wandering through libraries and bookstores, and despite the convenience of digital reading, I'll always prefer buying and holding a physical book.
My musical tastes are all over the map, spanning everything from yacht rock and pop to jazz and grunge. My playlists tend to leave people guessing—and occasionally questioning my taste in music.
I'm far from a professional photographer, but I love capturing the places I visit and preserving memories of the adventures along the way.
I can change a tire, but don't ask me to rebuild an engine—at least not yet! Someday, I'd love to roll up my sleeves and take on a project car. I've loved cars since I was a kid, and that fascination has stayed with me over the years. I still get excited spotting an interesting car on the road, admiring a classic's lines, or learning the story behind a particular make or model. There's always been something special about cars that captures my imagination.
I still enjoy writing letters by hand and sending holiday cards to friends and family. Years of typing on a keyboard have taken a toll on my handwriting, so putting pen to paper takes a little more time than it used to. But there's something wonderfully personal and intimate about a handwritten letter that I still cherish.
I used to save all my movie ticket stubs until electronic tickets made that tradition obsolete. I absolutely love movies, but even more, I love the shared experience of seeing a great film with people I don't know.
Want to work together?
If you need a tech writer who cares as much about the user's experience as you do about your product, let's talk.
Get in touch