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LAWRENCE J. (LARRY) GRINNELL

Email: larry@larrygrinnell.com

PROFILE

Dynamic, results- and detail-oriented technical writer and IT professional with strong leadership skills and extensive experience in technical communications, publications and print technology, implementation, and deployment of technology solutions. Experience defining project specifications, establishing project goals and deliverables. Self-motivated and an innovative thinker, consistently pursuing new challenges to stretch abilities, and expand knowledge. Excellent communication, people, organizational, and problem solving skills. Reputation for tenacity in problem solving.

AREAS OF EXPERTISE

• 10+ years experience in IT field
• 20+ years experience in technical communications field
• Attentive in documentation and record-keeping
• Strong ability to write technical procedures, user manuals
• Skilled in use of graphic design and desktop publishing tools
• Ability to create database-driven web solutions
• Able to perform equally well in Macintosh, Windows, and mixed platform environments.
• Extensive experience documenting wireless technology products.

TECHNICAL PROFICIENCY HIGHLIGHTS

Operating Systems Server Software:	Microsoft Windows Server 2003/2000, Microsoft Windows XP/2000/Me/98/95/3.1, Mac OSX/9.x
System Hardware Servers/Workstation	Compaq, Dell, HP, Apple
Application Software	Microsoft Office Suite, Front Page, Norton AntiVirus, Fontographer, Asia FontStudio, Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, PageMaker, Acrobat Professional, FrameMaker, RoboHelp, VMware Fusion, Enfocus PitStop Professional, FileMaker Pro, FileMaker Pro Advanced Server, UltraEdit 32, XMetal, Arbortext Editor

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

SR Technologies, Inc., Davie, Florida -- 2009-Present

Technical Writer

Write and edit user documentation for SR Technologies' diverse product lines. Write and edit field update documentation. Build document distribution media sets (CD, DVD, USB memory device) that ship with finished products. Build related bills of material in product line management system. Create product graphics artwork (graphics that appear on the actual product). Write and edit marketing literature with input from marketing and engineering organizations. Write and edit manufacturing process documents.

Motorola Inc., South Florida -- 1982-2009

Integrated Technical Communications, Boynton Beach, Sunrise, and Plantation, FL

Staff Systems Administrator, 1997-2009

Responsible for maintaining workstations and laptop computers for the technical publications organization. Evaluated, ordered, and deployed appropriate application software for staff. Configured and maintained department web and file servers. Developed and posted internal operating procedures related to systems administration and specialized graphics and publishing processes. Periodically archived critical files on department server to DVD media. Interacted with print suppliers on a daily basis, repairing and correcting defective press-ready PDF files. Traveled extensively in the U.S. and Mexico to evaluate and certify print supplier capabilities and quality.

• Designed, implemented, and maintained database-driven searchable self-service intranet website with the following applications:
  • Motorola intranet users can locate and download PDF files of mobile devices product manuals.
  • Engineers and product managers can request custom product graphics services, and search for and download artwork files in multiple formats.
  • Permits users search for and download custom fonts.
  • Department staff can request graphic design and custom font production services.
  • Easy access to internal operating procedures and process documents.
• Migrated and re-coded department website from FileMaker Pro 5.5 and CDML and HTML language to FileMaker Pro Advanced Server 9 with PHP and HTML language.
• Using DITA Open Toolkit, converted first prototype user guide authored in DITA XML to HTML format.
• Developed and implemented processes for converting Adobe FrameMaker files to HTML using Mif2Go software.
• Trained writing and graphics staff on color publishing techniques. Identified problem areas for additional staff training.
• Configured and deployed highly effective department-level workstation and server backup system.
• Implemented Windows 2003 Server with IIS when IT requirements necessitated migration from Windows 2000 Server.
• Closely collaborated with co-worker to research, interact with vendors, evaluate, and perform proof of concept tests to acquire a content management system for the department.
• Designed and conducted staff training and seminars on new technology.
• Converted press-ready PDF files to smaller web-friendly files, adding search engine optimized metadata before posting to department web server. Converted poster-style quick start guides to desktop printer-friendly format.
• Evaluated commercial printers’ digital printing capabilities at sites in Florida, Texas, and Scotland.
• Composed hurricane-focused disaster preparedness and recovery document.

Senior Technical Writer, 1987-1997

Designed, wrote, illustrated, and published service, user, and product programming manuals. Developed processes to replace photographs with electronic illustrations in user and service publications.

• Researched, planned, and implemented program to produce all-electronic manuals, centered around Adobe Acrobat PDF technology.
• Identified, provided training, and deployed tools to convert CADD illustrations into files usable by standard desktop illustration software.
• Redesigned and optimized short run document sets for printing on digital presses.
• Developed and implemented process to use custom fonts for insertion of inline graphics in user documentation.
• Provided regular training sessions in person and with regular emailings on new publishing and print technologies to staffers.
• Using obsolete and underutilized equipment, and open source software, built and deployed department’s first web server.
• Consulted with and traveled to Motorola R&D facility in Singapore to establish a technical publications organization there. Trained writer/illustrator to manage department.
• Trained individual from Motorola facility in Beijing to manage a technical publications department.

Manufacturing Engineering, Paging Products Group, Boynton Beach, FL

Product Support Technician, 1982-1987

Provided engineering support for several paging product lines. Resolved engineering issues, parts shortages/substitutions. Liaised with Underwriters’ Laboratories Follow-Up Services inspector—resolved discrepancies discovered by inspector. Responded to factory quality audit discrepancies, determined and implemented corrective actions. Lead factory technicians in resolving recurring product technical problems. Submitted engineering change proposals and updated/corrected material specifications as needed.

• Co-designed battery charger and wrote product manual for Minitor II alert monitor.
• Wrote test station calibration program in BASIC to simplify the process of determining calibration factors for factory product performance testing.
• Performed competitive analysis on several products. Co-wrote and illustrated report with lead engineer.

EDUCATION / CERTIFICATIONS

Associates in Arts (AA), Palm Beach Community College, Lake Worth, FL

Motorola schooling includes Participative Management training, Effective Presentations, Manufacturing Cycle Management, Team Building, Design for Manufacturability, Total Customer Satisfaction, in-house FrameMaker training, IDE Supervisor training, others.

Various Service schools while in USAF include Major Command Noncommissioned Officers Leadership School, Electronics and radio maintenance training, Cross-Cultural Communications School (training to work with and supervise Middle-Eastern personnel).

MILITARY

United States Air Force, Staff Sergeant, Honorable Discharge (1973-1982)

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Personal Interests and Accomplishments:

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My personal interests include: jazz guitar (trying to learn to play my grandmother's late 1930s vintage Gibson L-4) and other record collecting, genealogy, computers (I own several computers, including an Apple PowerMac G5, a Mac mini G4--running this website, another Mac mini (Intel) operating as a media server, an Apple MacBook, and a Foxconn PC running Windows XP Pro), audio equipment, amateur radio (callsign WD5EZY), old (antique and special interest) cars, and home video.

I currently serve as secretary and webmaster of the Grinnell Family Association of America (a family genealogical society), and previously served as their president, from late 1997 to July, 2001. I re-assumed the presidency of the GFA in November, 2001, after the tragic death of their newly-elected president. I finally handed off the presidency in 2005. I serve as member of the genealogical committee. I was newsletter editor for the GFA from 1988-1993, and again in 1999 for two issues. I serve on the newsletter committee as the pre-press "officer", responsible for ensuring the GFA newsletter computer files are complete and ready for printing. I edited and published the 680 page second edition of the "official" Grinnell Family Genealogy, as published by the Grinnell Family Association, in July, 1997.

I wrote and co-wrote (with my late uncle, who was a "vintage guitarist" himself) occasional articles for 20th Century Guitar and Vintage Guitar magazines, several years ago.

When my uncle (guitarist and clinician Andy Nelson) died in 1995, I was devastated. He was just about the best friend I ever had. As my own way of dealing with his loss, I wrote a short book on his life in music around Christmas, 1996, marking the first anniversary of his death. I had it printed and distributed it to many of his best friends as well as members of his large family. That book can be freely downloaded from this site. It is stored in Adobe Acrobat PDF format, which requires the free Adobe Acrobat Reader software to view and print the file.

Serves of the board of directors of the Palm Beach Phoenix Apple User Group. Write a weekly Macintosh computing column, Mac Corner, for the Palm Beach Business.com website. In past years, I served on the board of directors of the now defunct Palm Beach Macintosh User Group, and was a regular contributor to their newsletter with the monthly column "TidBytes". I also served on the board of directors of the Electronic Design Association's (local computer special interest group, focusing on graphic design and printing technologies), and served as their webmaster until the group disbanded in 2001. I contributed items to their newsletter on desktop publishing and computer technology issues. I'm a member of the Rhode Island Historical Society, the American Radio Relay League, the American Legion, the Palm Beach County Genealogical Society, Smithsonian Associates, and the New England Historic Genealogical Society.

I was selected for inclusion in Marquis' Who's Who in the South and Southwest (1997-98 Edition), Who's Who in the World (1998, 1999 editions), and Marquis' Who's Who in Media and Communications (1998-1999 edition).

I read at least 20 publications per month related to computers and information technology, desktop publishing, and the publishing industry to keep on top of industry trends.

I have had the great privilege of travelling throughout much of the world, thanks to the United States Air Force, and later, my employer Motorola. These include Norway, Denmark, Spain, Germany, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Italy, Zaïre, Egypt, Singapore, England, Ireland, and Scotland (this doesn't even count places where I was only on the ground for a few hours for refueling, etc.).

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Fun Stuff:

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Back in 1978, I was in the US Air Force on temporary assignment to Davis-Monthan AFB, in Tucson, Arizona. As a jazz guitar nut even then, I was thrilled beyond words to discover that famed guitarist Johnny Smith would be hosting a Gibson-sponsored clinic at a local music store. I took one picture of Johnny when playing (trying to keep my loud, clunky Canon SLR camera quiet). I took another few of him after the clinic, surrounded by admirers. One of those admirers noticed I had taken a shot of him standing next to Johnny and asked me for a copy of the shot. I agreed but only if he would take one of me with Johnny. Here's the part I'm not exactly proud of: the picture was taken, but without Johnny's approval or acknowledgement. I was just standing there looking at him, as he was busy talking to a bunch of other folks, and I didn't want to interrupt... My boorish behavior probably reinforced why he wanted no part of me or my family (my uncle, the late Andy Nelson, as a Gibson salesman and clinician, knew Johnny very well and was strongly influenced by Johnny's playing style--Andy was also a very brash, in-your-face kind of a person, as a salesman would be, which probably made Smith somewhat cold to Andy--understandable, as Johnny was a very quiet, introverted gentleman who was probably uncomfortable around Andy's bigger-than-life persona). This is why I have not shown these pictures before now. Johnny, if you ever read this, my deepest apologies for my poor behavior--I really was brought up better than that! Anyhow, here are the pictures.

 

 

Here's the card I sent out at Christmas, 1995 to friends and family. I had spent a few weeks in Singapore on business and had these photos taken at the world-famous Singapore Zoo.

 

 

I got to meet and chat with legendary guitar player Les Paul in the summer of 1996 at the Iridium Bar on New York City's west side. Here's the picture: (l to r: my cousin Ken Nickels, Les Paul, Larry Grinnell)! In January 2008, I attended the Macworld Expo in San Francisco and met Styx guitarist Tommy Shaw, with whom I stood in line back in 1996, maybe 5 minutes before this picture was taken.

 

 

I've got two cats. For reasons I still can't fathom, I decided to name them after my paternal grandparents, hence the names Archie and Agnes. Note that both are female. I'm sure the cats don't mind.

 

 

In May, 2001, after five months of training, and suffering through seven grueling written examinations, I achieved my Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer certification. Several weeks prior to taking the final test, I stopped by my local CompUSA and found a most interesting hat, which I vowed to wear to the office when I finally passed the test. Here's the picture of me wearing my "special" hat (this photo is also used for my monthly column that appears in the Palm Beach Macintosh User Group newsletter).

 

 

While attending the 2001 Grinnell Family Reunion in Las Vegas, Nevada, I had a close encounter with a lion cub at the MGM Grand Hotel. This photo appeared in my 2001 Christmas card.

 

 

I attended the Macworld Expo in San Francisco in January 2008, and got a chance to meet comedian Sinbad.