David Young | Professional Portfolio

Summary of Qualifications

Detail-focused editor and writer with experience creating, refining, and managing content for diverse audiences
Skilled in collaborating with cross-functional teams of subject matter experts and creative specialists
Adept at managing multiple simultaneous projects and aggressive deadlines
Accomplished at providing editing and writing expertise in instructional materials, technical documentation, and marketing collateral

Professional Experience

Senior Editorial Manager

Ashley Furniture Industries, Tampa, FL

2020–2026

Served as the final quality assurance checkpoint for high-volume customer-facing copy, ensuring error-free, persuasive, and educational content that communicated core product value and drove engagement
Reviewed and fact-checked multimedia content for a wide variety of daily, weekly and seasonal initiatives showcasing the company’s home furnishings and décor
Established editorial standards, resolved conflicting style requirements, and served as a style authority for product copywriters, improving consistency and addressing recurring content problems
Provided comprehensive proofreading and copy editing for internal and external corporate communications directed at company stakeholders and customers

Editor, Copywriter, Graphic Designer

Independent Consultant

2002–present

Deliver high-quality writing and editing work on limited schedules through effective time management and client communication
Edit business intelligence and industry research reports for sales consulting company
Conduct detailed copyediting and fact-checking for college-level business textbooks
Conduct comprehensive manuscript copyediting and line editing for fiction and nonfiction books

Editorial Lead

Miller Heiman Group, Tampa, FL

2003–2019

Prepared and edited training, technical, and marketing materials for internal and external publication, ensuring accuracy, consistency, and clarity throughout
Collaborated with agile development teams of 20+ writers, multimedia specialists, and project and fulfillment managers to update and enhance the company’s flagship training programs, which generated $15 million in annual revenue
Provided editorial and formatting assistance for user documentation and interfaces in the company’s online sales strategy platform, which generated $8 million in revenue in 2019
Played a critical role in all stages of producing comprehensive training programs, including participant and trainer materials, audio and video elements, and marketing collateral

Managing Editor

Florida Real Estate Journal, Winter Haven, FL

1999–2003

Balanced reporting, editing, and desktop publishing responsibilities for a semimonthly real estate trade newspaper reaching more than 48,000 statewide
Created more than 50 feature articles on commercial real estate projects, market trends, and key influencers
Composed layout and design for various sections of the newspaper, as well as special editions
Produced semiweekly email news digest distributed to more than 2,100

Copy Editor, Reporter

The News Chief, Winter Haven, FL

1997–1999

Directed the nightly editorial production of a community newspaper with a circulation of 7,500
Designed news sections, selected and edited staff and wire stories for publication, and reviewed feature sections before going to press
Worked closely with staff photographers, reporters, pre-press specialists, press operators, and Web designers
Wrote news and feature articles on local events and issues

Selected Work

Ashley

I served as the final quality assurance checkpoint for error-free copy that informed and educated consumers about the values and benefits of Ashley’s products. Working with a variety of cross-functional teams, I provided comprehensive proofreading and copy editing for product descriptions, in-store product reference materials, as well as internal and external corporate communications. I also maintained and developed editorial standards and reference materials, resolving conflicting requirements and providing guidance to product copywriters.

Customers Win, Suppliers Win

I provided comprehensive manuscript copy editing and fact-checking for this book on business and account management best practices. It draws account management lessons from IBM's corporate evolution from the 1970s through the 2010s, as seen from the perspective of a high-performing strategic account manager.

Strategic Selling with Perspective

I was the lead editor for a comprehensive update and rebranding of this flagship training program. Working with a team of instructional designers, multimedia specialists, and project managers, we followed an agile development process to produce all of the print, online, and mobile components within aggressive deadlines.

The Emperor Card, The Hierophant Card

For this project, I did line edits of the fifth and sixth books in a series of mystery novels. The author had a well-established world of characters and locales and a distinctive storytelling voice, and my work helped to keep these installments true to what had been established, while also pointing out issues in pacing and character development.

Scout

I collaborated with the development team for Miller Heiman Group's cloud-based sales analytics platform, providing editorial guidance in a variety of areas. I also assisted in the production of all technical documentation, including user and administrator guides.

Florida Real Estate Journal

In addition to working with a cross-functional staff of freelance writers and multimedia specialists to produce this commercial real estate publication, I wrote regular articles on commercial real estate projects, market trends, and key influencers. I also helped produce and distribute a semiweekly email update.

American Cancer Society

As a graphic designer and writer for the organization's Florida division, I designed and wrote educational posters and brochures for diverse audiences.

Qualifying Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Collaboration with varied subject matter experts, clients, and industries
Cross-functional project management acumen
Independent project work, showing attention to detail, and exhibiting strong problem-solving abilities
Editing and production of instructional materials, technical documentation, and marketing collateral
Comprehensive manuscript editing (copyediting and line editing)
Extensive knowledge of grammar, AP Style, and Chicago Manual of Style
Managing multiple simultaneous projects and deadlines
Print, mobile, and web content production and publishing
Desktop publishing
Fact-checking and cross-checking
Rebranding of printed and digital content
Intellectual property management and archiving
Coaching and mentoring in editing and writing best practices

Technology and Software

Microsoft Office Suite
Adobe Creative Suite
Microsoft SharePoint
Google Docs
Claude
ChatGPT
Copilot
Writer
Box
Smartsheet
Mindmarker
QuarkXPress
Xyleme LCMS

Education

Stetson University, DeLand, FL

Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies; minor in Information Technology

Managing Editor of The Stetson Reporter (student newspaper)

Public Relations Intern at Yesawich, Pepperdine & Brown (Orlando)

Contact

Thank you for reviewing my experience and selected work.

youngd115@gmail.com LinkedIn Download Resume