1. BETSY B. RICHARDS, CPTC Stone Mountain, Georgia 30083
770-548-0862 │BetsyRichardsCPTC@gmail.com
Sr. Technical Writer
Highly accomplished technical writer and instructional design expert with over 25 years of demonstrated
experience in developing and delivering technical documents and training modules. Specialized experience in
designing, developing, and managing documents, including user and technical manuals, assembly/disassembly
manuals, reports, brochures, white papers, policies and procedures, design specifications, system manuals, system
architecture documentation, contractual drafting, and other related technical materials. Desktop publishing, editing,
creating style manuals, and creating and modifying graphics. Extensive experience in developing instructional
materials, including web-based, paper-based, computer-based, and self-paced learning modules.
Superior leadership talents related to team initiatives and project management responsibilities. Extensive
industry experience and expertise in working closely with project team members and subject matter experts (SMEs)
from various departments and professions including procurement, marketing, legal, accounting, customer support,
manufacturing, community-based social services, engineering (civil, electrical, chemical, banking, architecture,
information technology, IT security, hazardous waste remediation, and aeronautics) and other highly technical staff to
gather data to produce accurate, comprehensive, and concise documentation. Experience and familiarity with
manufacturing processes, field operations, and construction sites.
Extensive experience and superior ability in reading, analyzing, interpreting, writing, revising, editing, and
presenting professional and technical documents and information. Core competencies include:
 Technical writing and editing  Grammar and writing style  Desktop publishing
 Documentation management  Document structure  Data collection and analysis
 Graphic design and layout  Research and interview  Project management
 Personal computers  Electronic documentation management systems
CAREER HISTORY
METRO ATLANTA RAPID TRANSIT AUTHORITY, ATLANTA, GA ..................................................................2013 – 2015
Technical Writer/Business Analyst
Responsible for researching and authoring a new version of the procedure manual for the Project Management
department of a large, metropolitan commuter rail authority.
 Partnered with subject matter experts (SMEs) to outline, flow-chart, draft processes and tasks used by
project managers to manage large, complex capital construction projects.
 Collaborated with peer agencies to learn best practices and emerging technologies and methods.
 Researched and analyzed current procedures and processes and made recommendations for
improvement.
 Interviewed representatives from all departments and organizational units to learn how they interfaced
with project managers.
 Determined where PMs were consistent in their performance and procedures and where they were
inconsistent with each other. Promoted discussion to find common ground in order to bring consistency
to how tasks and processes were completed, particularly when tasks involved interfacing with other
organizational units.
 Created flow charts for all processes, distributed these to all PMs for input, and revised and published
final flow charts based on PM input.
 Drafted a new procedure manual for the department and submitted it for input to ready it for final
version.
VAREC SAIC, NORCROSS, GA ............................................................................................................................................2007 – 2013
Technical Writer/Instructional Designer
Responsible for creating, editing, and publishing documentation using FrameMaker, MS Word, and RoboHelp.
Created traditional and online manuals as well as technical documents. Developed online help with RoboHelp,
HTML, and WebWorks. Developed customer-specific online training modules using DITA concepts.
 Partnered with subject matter experts (SMEs) to outline and draft user and administrator documentation
for complex web-browser-based software.

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 Researched and analyzed product specifications and requirements to become familiar with the
technology and to collect information for documentation purposes.
 Edited and revised proposals written by engineering staff so that the delivered proposals conformed to
company style, grammar, and readability.
 Modified manuals and published new versions based on software upgrades and on new customer
requirements. Validated new and revised manuals to assure grammatical and technical accuracy and
completeness of contents.
 Analyzed, scheduled, and oversaw the completion of a backlog of over fifty document creations or
revisions. Created and used a shared project workflow on SharePoint electronic documentation
management system. Completed this two-year backlog of projects in six months.
 Edited graphics using Photoshop, produced technical graphics using Illustrator, and created CBT modules
using Captivate.
 Drafted and published standard operating procedures (SOPs) as requested for government program and
for the company Help Desk. Created functional specifications to meet DoD Gold documentation standards,
using existing user manuals for previously undocumented company-developed software.
 Surpassed performance metrics on a consistent basis while completing all projects on time.
 Worked with configuration management to compile and publish Microsoft security issues monthly.
FREELANCE WRITING & INSTRUCTIONAL DESIGN EXPERT, ATLANTA, GA .................................... 2007
Successfully completed multiple freelance editing, documentation and instructional design engagements for
small business and non-profit organizations. Handled project management duties from inception through
completion.
 Authored copy and articles for multiple periodicals including articles on technical writing, the job market,
nature, psychology, travel, and health.
 Produced content for various periodicals including STC publications, Psychology Today, TSA of Georgia,
Southern Living, The Connection, Reader’s Digest, and Backpacker.
MACTEC ENGINEERING & CONSULTING, KENNESAW, GA ............................................................ 2007
Technical Writer
Updated and maintained SAP-like CMS company marketing, project histories, resumes, and additional human
resource documents. Played a key role in updating personnel resumes and skills records.
 Spearheaded the development of resources on SharePoint, which aided in preparing proposals as well as
writing and editing reports.
 Worked closely with SMEs to analyze and document procedures for company protocols.
WEB.COM, ATLANTA, GA .......................................................................................................... 2006
Instructional Designer
Led efforts to evaluate knowledgebase content and capabilities. Reconfigured the knowledgebase home page and
the top 10 list of articles. Participated in data gathering, data analysis, and needs assessment. Oversaw
development and editing of FAQs on all company products. Handled website development functions. Created and
wrote service-focused training courses and supporting materials, which entailed presentations, graphics, tables,
matrices, quizzes, and tests. Assisted with training presentations and evaluation.
 Championed efforts to redesign corporate knowledgebase architecture, articles, and templates.
 Partnered with training specialists to research and analyze training objectives, instructional strategies,
project scope, time frames, resources requirements, potential constraints, documentation requirements,
and required deliverables.
 Applied content management system (CMS) concepts to redesign knowledgebase content and
architecture, which better met customer and corporate needs.
GORDON COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION, CALHOUN, GA ............................................................ 2006
Certified Substitute Teacher and Tutor
 Educated students on diverse subject matter in high school curriculum. Facilitated group instruction and
answered inquiries on all coursework.
 Taught mathematics, including concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions and their
application to practical situations.

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SUNTRUST UNIVERSITY, SUNTRUST BANK, ATLANTA, GA .......................................................... 2005
Instructional Designer
Created templates and style sheets for new courseware. Partnered with SMEs to determine developmental
objectives of the target audiences.
 Participated in the development of service-focused learning materials for a national audience.
 Led efforts to research, write, format, and edit instructor manuals, computer-based modules, online
modules, group presentations, and job aids.
 Researched, drafted, and authored paper-based and computer-based training modules on banking
customer service, security, and government regulations.
HOME DEPOT, INC., ATLANTA, GA ............................................................................................ 2005
Editor / Senior Instructional Designer
Edited all course materials created by the Leadership Institute. Created and published the style guide for the
Leadership Institute. Trained and mentored the team in advanced formatting functions. Produced and edited a
procedural manual for the team.
 Performed publishing and format troubleshooting for Leadership Institute course materials.
 Worked closely with the department editor and documentation manager to streamline final editing and
publishing while complying with QA standards.
 Collaborated with SMEs and team writers to develop training documents.
FREELANCE TECHNICAL WRITER / DESKTOP PUBLISHER, ATLANTA, GA .......................... 1985 – 2005
Pioneered the development and launch of a consulting business that provided technical writing and desktop
publishing services to a diverse clientele. Executed all aspects of technical writing, editing, instructional design,
learning objective development, desktop publishing, business administration, and project management.
Conducted research on technical and engineering information, which included drawings, design and test
specifications, product prototypes, and interviews with SMEs. Managed desktop publishing and editing of
engineering reports, proposals, corporate statements, and other documents.
 Wrote user, technical, troubleshooting, release notes, quick reference cards, and service/maintenance
manuals for Harris/3M software and hardware products.
 Analyzed and documented office administrative and billing procedures for a high profile laboratory, and
implemented time saving and cost saving improvements.
 Evaluated and documented the entire lifecycle of the communication process for a major technology
manufacturing company (Scientific Atlanta) for the ISO 9000 certification.
 Performed content and grammatical editing for 100 industrial hygiene reports on the numeric data
collected from firing range air quality surveys at defense bases throughout the US, which was completed
for a hazardous waste remediation engineering firm.
 Edited thesis and manuscripts for graduate school and doctorate students at Bowling Green State
University and at Georgia School of Technology.
 Wrote content and question banks for a series of high-school-level computer text books. Designed, wrote,
and illustrated 2 elementary level text books that were accepted and purchased by the State of Texas.
LEARNING LABS, INC., CALHOUN, GA ............................................................................ 2003 – 2004
Instructional Designer
Developed learning materials and produced content that adhered to state accreditation requirements.
Spearheaded efforts to document style sheets and format specifications for course development.
 Developed online courseware and text-based science materials for high-school-level learning modules.
 Included in learning modules the requirement and opportunity for the learner to analyze processes,
define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.
 Wrote question banks for learning modules, and assembled the final CBT products.
LOCKHEED / AEROSPACE, MARIETTA, GA ...................................................................... 1994 – 2004
Instructional Designer / Technical Writer (2000 – 2004)
 Worked with users and SMEs to develop the outline and content for 400-page technical manual.
 Collected and compiled data from engineers and from a government-agency customer to draft, illustrate
and write 2 manuals for U.S. Customs, 400+ pages each.

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 Authored and published these technical documents, which covered the operation and maintenance of on-
board tools and equipment for airborne early warning (AEW) radar surveillance system on P3-Orion.
 Worked with flight operations training SMEs to develop training program documents on the C-130J for
the USAF. Modified document style and assured style consistency across 20+ lessons, both hard copy and
PowerPoint on-line presentation.
Technical Writer / Quality Assurance (1994 – 2004)
Selected to serve on multiple QA/QC task committees to design and implement standards and tracking system
for document review and editing. Collaborated with writers and SMEs to develop protocols and procedures.
Established QA standards and tracking devices for 2 major projects, which included an instructional design
project and a technical documentation project.
Proposal Writer / Coordinator (1998 – 1999)
Contributed to the development of a major proposal to provide airborne early warning (AEW) C-130J aircraft
and logistic support to the RAAF. Drafted and edited major proposal sections. Established timelines, schedules,
and graphics. Designed tables and graphics for presentation of tabular cost and support data.
Instructional Designer (1996 – 1998)
Organized production initiatives. Ensured compliance with quality control standards. Oversaw the team
responsible for developing 100 computer-based training modules for a defense client on the C-130J project.
Proposal Writer / Editor (1994 – 1995)
Posted and tracked proposal-writing workflow on a daily basis. Edited text and photos. Provided high level of
technical writing support. Facilitated training sessions on the use of hardware and software.
 Partnered with engineers and other SMEs to assist in the development of comprehensive RFP response to
the integrated logistics system (ILS) portion of the RMPA proposal effort.
CLAYTON STATE COLLEGE CONTINUING EDUCATION ..................................................... 1989 – 1991
Instructor: Taught writing classes for adult enrollees.
 Planned, created, organized, and delivered material for nine-week evening classes.
 Modified class outline as necessary to meet students' needs and desires for learning.
 Conducted classes, and graded all assignments, giving guidance for improving writing skills.
EDUCATION, CERTIFICATIONS, & AFFILIATIONS
Education:
 TComm/Graduate Certificate in Technical Communication – Southern Polytechnic State University
 Bachelor of Arts, Technical Writing – Bowling Green State University
Certifications:
 CPTC (Certified Professional Technical Communicator), STC (Society for Technical Communication)
 ASTD (American Society for Training and Development) E-Learning Instructional Design Certificate
 Train-the-Trainer Certification, McClendon Trucking/Clayton State College, Morrow Georgia,
 Substitute Teacher Certification, Calhoun City/Gordon County, Georgia
Clearance: Secret Level Clearance, Last Used July 2003
Affiliations:
 Society for Technical Communication (STC) (1984 – present)
 American Society for Training and Development (ASTD) (2013 – present)
 Stride Ahead Equine Therapy, Little Creek Farm, Decatur, GA (2010 – present)
 Cuong Nhu Martial Arts, Sung Ming Shu Dojo, Atlanta, GA (2010 – present)
 Mensa, USA, (1994 – present)
TECHNICAL PROFICIENCIES
FrameMaker, Illustrator, Captivate, RoboHelp, SharePoint, Photoshop, MS Word, MS PowerPoint, MS Excel, and
MS Projects, Visio, Snag-It, Acrobat, HTML, Basic, Dreamweaver, Graphic Design, Web Design.