Phillip J. Colpas                   

1 S. Florence Ave., Sarasota, FL 34237 ● (941) 362-0576 ● pcolpas@aol.com

SUMMARY

Florida Press Association award-winning journalist, writer, newspaper and magazine editor with more than 13 years experience seeks opportunity. I am creative, innovative, excellent under pressure, and used to working in a deadline-driven environment. I offer passion, integrity, leadership, and the ability to work well with others.

WORK EXPERIENCE

April 2007-present      Self-employed freelance copywriter; clients include: Biz 941 (Sarasota Magazine’s business publication), Pelican Press, InStudioE, Osprey Biotechnics, Mandala Spa, StephieRockwell.com, Helping Kids Reach For The Stars, The King Louie Band, and many more.

July 1998-March ‘07   Associate editor, Pelican Press, a weekly community newspaper based in Sarasota, Florida

                                                Accolades:

·         Earned several awards from the Florida Press Association for news, editorial, feature, column and headline writing; also received multiple awards for page design; overall excellence; and special sections

                                                Responsibilities:        

·         Oversaw arts & entertainment section for newspaper with 30,000+ weekly circulation

·         Managed editorial content, columnists

·         Assigned stories and photos

·         Proofed and edited copy

·         Responsible for page design and layout

·         Updated and maintained the Pelican Press Web site

·         Wrote a biweekly “Island Beat” column, covering Siesta Key

·         Wrote a biweekly music column, “In The Groove”

·         Wrote the newspaper’s editorial once a month

·         As a member of the editorial board, interviewed political candidates and determined newspaper’s endorsements

·         When editor was away (1-2 months a year), took over as editor; handled news section in addition to normal duties as associate editor

·         Compiled annual “Year in Review”

·         Edited special sections, including “Homes” and “The Other Season”

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·         Served as IT liaison

·         Launched and edited startup monthly A Consumers’ Guide to Homes Magazine in 1998, which merged with Pelican Press newspaper in 2004

July 1997-July 1998    Staff reporter and columnist for Pelican Press

                                                Responsibilities:

·         As education beat reporter, contributed weekly news and feature stories, photos

·         Wrote a weekly “Dining Out” column, provided photos

·         Wrote a weekly “Sheriff’s Report” column

·         Wrote a biweekly “Island Beat” column, covering Siesta Key, provided photos

·         Wrote a biweekly music column, “In The Groove,” provided photos

1996-1998                   Writer, Black Tie and Attitudes magazines, Sarasota

1996-1997                                      Staff writer, The Observer Group, Sarasota

Responsibilities:

·         As beat reporter for Longboat Observer, contributed weekly news and feature stories, photos

·         Launched Gulf Coast Business Review, wrote feature stories profiling successful area businesses

COMPUTER SKILLS

Quark, Photoshop, Word, Excel, Adobe Acrobat, Adobe Acrobat Distiller, PageMaker, various Web site editing programs

EDUCATION

May 1996                    Bachelor of Science degree in Journalism, University of Florida, College of Journalism and Communications, Gainesville, Florida (consistently named as one of the top “J” schools in the country)

·         Worked as contributing editor on campus magazine, Orange & Blue

May 1993                    Associate of Arts degree, Manatee Community College, Bradenton, Florida

REFERENCES

            Anne Johnson, editor, Pelican Press, (941) 349-4949

            Karen Mamone, staff writer, Pelican Press, (941) 349-4949

            Jack Gurney, former mayor of Sarasota, reporter (retired),

Pelican Press, (941) 927-7080

Additional references available upon request.