Richard
E. ReitzRichard
E. Reitz
Experience
• Lititz Record Express; 22 East Main Street, Lititz, Pa. 17543
The Lititz Record Express was recognized as one of the best weekly newspapers in Pennsylvania for 2002 by the Pennsylvania Newspaper Publishers Association, earning its prestigious Sweepstakes Award for newspapers with a circulation of 5,000-9,999. Oversaw all editorial aspects of the newspaper, from news writing, editing, layout and design of the entire newspaper, to staff and personnel management. Also worked closely with advertising and production departments. Promoted lively, relevant coverage of the news and features of particular value to residents in northern Lancaster County. Also wrote an award-winning weekly column, "For the Record," focusing on local topics of interest.
• Susquehanna Style Magazine; Lund Media Ventures, Ltd., 8258 Veterans Highway, Suite 198, Millersville, Md., 21108
•Contributing Writer, 1998-2001
Formerly known as Central Pennsylvania Life magazine, I have contributed several in-depth feature articles to this outstanding monthly publication, which covers social and community stories from this region. Articles included stories on the communities of Lititz and Ephrata, genetic research physician Dr. Holmes Morton, the annual Christmas Bird Count, plus short subject contributions such as a book review and segments for a "100 Reasons to Love Central Pennsylvania" feature.
• The Ephrata Review; 1 East Main Street, Ephrata, Pa. 17522
•Editor/Staff Writer, August 1993-February 1995
Worked as a full-time reporter and editor for The Ephrata Review, a community-oriented weekly newspaper with a circulation of 7,500, before being promoted by Lancaster County Weeklies to my present position at the Lititz Record Express. Created and edited the Cocalico in Review section of The Review, and was responsible for coverage of a four-municipality region and one school district, as well as other news and features in the Ephrata area. Created and wrote a weekly features column, CocaliCorner.
• Lancaster Newspapers Inc.; 8 W. King St., Lancaster, Pa. 17603
- •Correspondent, Lancaster New Era, April 1993-August 1993
- •Correspondent, Intelligencer Journal, October 1992-April 1993
- •Staff Writer, Lancaster New Era, June-August 1991
Worked as a freelance and part-time reporter for the Lancaster New Era, a daily evening newspaper with a circulation over 45,000, where my reporting duties included regular coverage of four townships, as well as numerous business and feature stories. I also worked about 10 hours a week for the sports department as an assistant wire editor, editing wire stories and writing local sports briefs.
My relationship with Lancaster Newspapers began in June 1991 when I was hired as a full-time staff writer for the New Era as part of Millersville University's internship program. I returned to Lancaster Newspapers in October 1992 as a correspondent for the Intelligencer Journal, before returning to the New Era.
• The Sentinel; P.O. Box 130, Carlisle, Pa. 17013-0130
- •Staff Writer; August 1991-September 1992
- •Staff Correspondent; December 1990-January 1991
- •Staff Writer; May-August 1990
Employed as a general assignment reporter for an award-winning daily newspaper with a circulation of 18,500. Coverage included all events in three townships and in one of Cumberland County's largest school districts. I also wrote numerous feature articles and enterprise stories, averaging between 6-15 articles a week.
My experience with The Sentinel began through Millersville University's internship program in 1990 and continued in the winter as a staff correspondent. I also gained valuable experience with QuarkExpress for page design.
• The Snapper; Millersville University's student newspaper
- •Editor in Chief; February 1990-April 1991
- •Associate Editor in Chief; October 1989-February 1990
- •Foreign Correspondent; October 1988-May 1989
- •Assistant Features Editor; March-May 1988
As editor in chief, I was responsible for the production of a weekly student-run publication with a circulation of 4,400. I also wrote news, commentary and feature stories, and gained knowledge in editing, layout, photography and word processing with Macintosh computers. I also introduced desktop publishing with Aldus PageMaker to the staff. The experience included business management, and I gained knowledge in the day-to-day responsibilities of operating a successful publication.
Education
• Millersville University; Millersville, Pa. 17551
•Bachelor of Arts Degree in English with a Concentration in Journalism, May 1991; minor in political science; editor of student newspaper.
• Humberside College of Higher Education; Hull, England
•Studied abroad during the 1988-89 academic year; studies included courses in English literature, political systems and geography.
• Camp Hill High School; Camp Hill, Pa. 17011
•Graduated in June 1987; general education course requirements with a concentration in college preparatory English and humanities.
Honors and Awards
• Each year, the Pennsylvania Newspaper Publishers Association recognizes outstanding newspaper achievement across the state with the Keystone Press Awards. The Lititz Record Express competes in Division VII with about 50 weekly newspapers with a circulation of 5,000-9,999. The top award-winning newspaper in each division receives the Sweepstakes Award, selected based on cumulative points (10 points for first place, 5 points for second place). The PNPA website is: www.pnpa.com.
•First recipient, Nadine Thomas Memorial Scholarship for excellence in journalistic studies at Millersville University; 1990-91.
•Advisor's Choice Award for outstanding service to The Snapper, 1990-91.
•The Snapper's Gold Pen Award for graduating seniors who have made a substantial contribution to Millersville University's student publication.
•1990-91 American Scholastic Press Association; first place with special merit for a college newspaper with an enrollment of more than 2,000. The Snapper finished eighth in the nation with a score of 955 out of a possible 1,000 points.
•Earned four Steinman Scholarships for outstanding service to the print media at Millersville University between 1989-91.
Special Skills, Training, and Experience
•Extensive experience with Macintosh computer systems, as well as Windows-based systems. Basic Internet web design skills.
•Excellent pagination skills with experience using Harris Newsmaker, PageMaker and Quark Express; can adapt to most desktop publishing programs
•Proficient in use of several design programs for Macintosh
•Proficient in use of Microsoft Word and other Windows-based programs
•Outstanding photography skills
•Trained in typing; can type 40 words per minute
•Excellent research, written, interview and verbal communication skills
•Hosted a televised news special, "Profiles in Unity," for Blue Ridge Cable TV in March 1994 on the regionalization of police.
•Wrote and appeared in TV commercials for Ephrata Review and Lititz Record Express.
•Served as a panelist for the state 99th Legislative District primary election debate in May 1994, and for the general election debate in October 1994.
•Served as moderator for Lititz mayoral debate in April 2001.
Community & Professional Involvement
•Attended Warehousing Education Research Council (WERC) annual convention in Atlanta, Ga., May 2004.
•Member, Lititz Springs Park Fourth of July Committee, 2001-present; Currently serving as a member of the Entertainment Committee, as well as publicity and promotional aspects of the oldest continuous Fourth of July celebration in America.
•Instructor/Advisor, Warwick High School Open Campus Program; Seniors at Warwick High School who have a specific career interest have an opportunity to spend class time working in their chosen field. As editor of the Lititz Record Express, I worked with one or two students each school year who served as members of the editorial staff, with opportunities to write for their community newspaper.
•Former member, Pennsylvania Newspaper Press Association.
•Former member, Pennsylvania Society of Newspaper Editors; Served as a member of the Weekly Newspaper Committee, 2001-02.
•Co-anchor and producer, "Hot Off The Press," on Blue Ridge Cable TV, 1996-1999; taped a weekly half-hour news program in conjunction with the Lititz Record Express and Ephrata Review, highlighting the week's top news stories as reported in the newspapers, and aired regularly on Blue Ridge Cable 11.
•Advisor, Journalism Explorer Post 22, 1996-1997; served as the leader of a group of teenage boys and girls interested in pursuing a career in journalism The program is sponsored by the Boy Scouts of America Explorer program.
•Co-President, Denver Historical Society, January 1995-April 1997; while a resident of Denver, Pa., served as the co-chair of the committee planning projects for the 100th anniversary of Denver Borough, which was celebrated in 2000.