1. EDWARD F. MERRIMAN
2513 Duportail St., Apt. 350, Richland, WA 99352
503-307-0626 (c) ● edwardfmerriman@gmail.com
COMMUNICATIONS SPECIALIST │ STAFF WRITER/EDITOR │ COPYWRITER │ CORRESPONDENT │ PUBLIC RELATIONS
Summary:
Articulate communicator and creative writing professional offering 15+ years of success managing
editorial processes, from writing, editing and revision, to publication. Strategic communications
specialist and skilled writer able to prioritize and complete multiple assignments and meet challenging
deadlines. Expertly assess purpose and value of health care and insurance communications, government
affairs, public relations, and mass media communications. Confidently work across organizational
boundaries to execute media strategies, drive partnerships, enhance communications, and curate
innovative ideas.
Core Skills:
Content Writing ● Interviewing ● Research & Analysis ● Document Creation ● Technical Writing
Digital Communications ● Media/Public Relations ● Legislative Correspondent ● Resource Analysis
Internal Communications ● Advertising ● Copywriting ● Photography ● Visual Design Concepts
Economic Development Consulting ● Freelance Writing ● Songwriting ● Staff Management
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Cambia Health Solutions, Portland, OR 2012 to 2014
Knowledge Management Author
 Research, write, and edit complex insurance plan guidelines for a health insurance company.
 Stay abreast with federal and state health care laws, communicate updates with supervisors and
staff, and ensure company compliance with all legislative changes.
 Receive requests from Supervisors and Business Analysts for insurance updates, then create or
update insurance documents and post alerts utilizing Remedy and Reggie Consona software.
 Consult with Business Process Analysts, Ambassadors, and Subject Matter Experts to confirm
accuracy of insurance change requests.
 Review, assign, and monitor Remedy tickets to Knowledge Management staff.
 I also was designated the Innovation Challenge leader for our team for the submission of five
innovative ideas to improve how Regence serves customers and functions in the health
insurance marketplace.
Western Communications, Baker City / Bend, OR 2008 to 2011
Newspaper Reporter/Photographer
 Interviewed business owners, politicians, and individuals and wrote articles for WESCOM
newspapers, including Baker City Herald and The Bulletin.
 Attended meetings of the Chamber of Commerce, Economic Development Councils, Tourism
Council and other groups to gather information for stories I wrote.

2.  Some of my award-winning stories included a feature on Mr. Kennedy, owner of Kennedy’s
Market, and the African emigrant who he hired and helped pay his way through college. I also
won awards for my story on the last dairy farm in Baker County, Barbara Sidway, owner of the
historic Geiser Grand Hotel, and numerous articles about Bend’s high -tech medical supply
businesses, the impact of the new Facebook complex in Prineville and others.
Wisdom Works, Wilsonville, OR 2002 to 2008
Advertising, Copywriting, Media Consulting, Public Relations, Editing, Reporting
 Projects included design concept and copyrighting for a series of 12 Full page magazine ads for
Oregonians for Food and Shelter, production of quarterly newsletters for Oregonians for Food
and Shelter and the Oregon Small Woodlands Association, creation of an advertising campaign
and weekly online new briefs column for Food for Thought, and creating and manning an
agriculture awareness game and information booth for the Oregon Ag Fest in Salem.
 As a media consultant I also contracted to perform editing or reporting on a temporary basis
when newspapers were faced with an illness of a key employee or when they had difficulty
finding a permanent replacement. Under such contracts I edited the newspapers in Omak and
Chelan, WA, and in both cases those agreements were extended and included extensive
reporting and photography, in addition to the original editing duties. In Sheridan and Buffalo
WYO, I completed a temporary position as general assignment reporter in Sheridan for three
months, then accepted an contract to work at the Buffalo Bulletin for one year, which I
extended to a year and four months as a general assignment reporter covering cops and crime,
courts, business, schools, county commissions, agriculture, forestry, coal and methane gas,
environmental issues, and politics.
ADDITIONAL PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE
Capital Press │ Reporter/Assignment Coordinator/Senior Government Reporter 1987 to 2002
 Reported on legislative headings, negotiations, and House and Senate debates.
 Gained immeasurable experience on how legislative bills are drafted, introduced, negotiated,
passed or denied.
 The last seven years I was stationed in the Capitol Building in Salem covering the Oregon
Legislature and state agencies. I wrote articles for the Capital Press, East Oregonian, Daily
Astorian, the Blue Mountain Eagle newspapers, as well as the Associated Press.
Freelance Projects │ Writer/Newspaper Reporter/ Photographer
 My Freelance writing included my first jobs in journalism. I started out writing articles, taking
photos, selling ads and doing advertising copyrighting for Singles Northwest magazine. Then I
wrote freelance articles and served a one-year internship at the Tri-City Herald. Later I worked
as a regional correspondent for the Statesman-Journal and Stayton Mail newspapers in Oregon.
Merriman Plumbing and Heating and others, Pendleton, OR/Pasco WA
Plumber/Foreman/Estimator
At Merriman Plumbing, I started in laborer work, advanced to shipping and receiving parts, inventory

3. control and retail customer service. I completed a plumbing apprenticeship and worked as a licensed
plumber and steamfitter, foreman and supervisor. Later I followed my dream and used these skills to
work my way through college to become a reporter/photographer/editor.
EDUCATION
Bachelor of Science in Journalism, with minor in U.S. History
University of Oregon; Eugene, OR
Associate of Science in Industrial Technology, with minor in English
Blue Mountain Community College; Pendleton, OR
Certificate of Completion, Plumbing Apprenticeship Program
Columbia Basin Community College; Pasco, WA
Received Oregon Journeyman Plumber’s License in 1975 and Steamfitter Mechanic’ s License in 1977
Certification in Business Management & Business Supervision Principals
Dunn & Bradstreet Business Education Services
Miscellaneous:
In addition to more than 20 years in the newspaper industry, I also have nearly three years experience at
Cambia/Regence Blue Cross working as a Knowledge Management Author, which has given me an
understanding of issues and challenges facing health insurance companies.
While at Cambia, I took advantage of Microsoft online training to complete courses on the 2010 versions
of Microsoft Outlook, PowerPoint, Word, and Excel.
As a journalist, assignment coordinator and editor, I made decisions about what stories were to be
covered, made assignments and managed news staff and freelance writers. I wrote and edited press
releases and other copy for proper AP style and process for publication. As an editor and assignment
coordinator at two newspapers I coordinated up to 32 staff and maintained work flow so that everyone
was contributing to the smooth and timely production of the newspaper, and assigned duties such as
proof reading and other tasks according to individual skills. I also maintain contact lists, a story list, an
issues list and other database files. I also have experience writing editorials.
My experience a senior government reporter includes many years working with legislators, trade and
environmental association lobbyists, concerned citizens and environmental groups, as well as the
Governor’s office and state legislators and staff.
In addition, I have completed substantial college courses in business management, and have
management / supervisory experience in construction, public relations, marketing, advertising and
newspapers.