jjedras@hotmail.com
Journalism Experience
April 2007 to present
As a senior writer for the Toronto based, national publication for Canada's technology resellers and systems integrators I research and write news coverage on topical issues, attend conferences and events, assist in the production of the print publication, and contribute to the company's other print and Web publications.
July 2005 to April 2007
As a senior writer for the Toronto based, twice-monthly publication for Canada's IT professionals,I researched and wrote articles on a range of topics, from programming and software to security, and regulalrly contributed to the ITWorldCanada.com website and the company's other print publications.
September 2002 to July 2005
Self-employed as a freelance writer and reporter, I wrote on business and technology issues for a number of publications. Publications I regularly contributed to included:
* ITBusiness.ca: I wrote IT case studies and news articles from BC and across Canada for the national technology news web site.
* Business Vancouver Island: I wrote advertorial and business news articles for this monthly business newspaper covering Vancouver Island.
* Business Edge: I wrote Vancouver Island and British Columbia business articles for this bi-weekly business newspaper's British Columbia edition.
* Summit: I wrote British Columbia and national articles on procurement issues for this monthly, national magazine on public sector procurement in Canada.
I also completed press releases, newsletters, and other marketing projects. Other clients and publications I have worked with include: The Ottawa Citizen, The Vancouver Sun, Computer Dealer News, Forest Products Association of Canada, Communications and Networking, Computing Canada, Technology in Government, Copper Canoe Consulting, Pacific Fisheries Resource Conservation Council, and Comox Valley Tourism.
May 2002 to September 2002
I was the managing editor and editorial representative hired by a group trying to launch a monthly newspaper for the B.C. technology sector. I was responsible for defining the paper's editorial mandate, producing a Web site, and I created a preview issue for marketing and sales purposes. An inability by the partners to secure financial backing led to the project being cancelled prior to publication of a first issue.
June 2001 to April 2002
As the Vancouver-based western bureau chief for Silicon Valley NORTH, a national newspaper for the high tech community, I was responsible for the local editorial content in the British Columbia and Alberta editions, as well as contributing to the national section, SVN.Canada. As the paper's only editorial representative in Western Canada, my role was also to develop contacts within the business community.
October 2000 to May 2001
As a Web reporter for the Ottawa Business Journal I wrote local business stories for the paper's breaking news Web site. In addition to expanding on company announcements and monitoring other media outlets, I also generated original stories through event coverage and investigative reporting. My beats ranged from the financial markets and technology to tourism and politics, and I also contributed to the weekly print edition of the paper.
October 1998 to September 2000
As the only staff writer in Ottawa for Silicon Valley NORTH, I covered every aspect of the Ottawa technology sector. Developing contacts throughout the community, I wrote business feature stories and covered technology news on Parliament Hill as a member of the press gallery.
May 1998 to April 1999
As the news editor of The Charlatan, Carleton University's weekly independent student newspaper, I was responsible for finding and assigning stories, editing copy, and laying-out the section each week. I also spent three years as a staff writer at the paper, covering everything from Parliament Hill and student government to sports and the arts.
May 2000 to April 2001
As a member of the Charlatan's board of directors I was involved in the business side of running a newspaper. The board oversaw employee management and budgeting, as well as external relations with advertisers, student government and university administration.
February 2000 to April 2001
As treasurer and vice-president of the CAJ's Ottawa chapter, I was involved in the planning and the organization of professional development and social events for the CAJ's members in Ottawa.
September 1996 to April 2001
Studied journalism and history, with a focus on the modern history of Canada and Europe