This document summarizes an article about Marian Croak, a senior vice president at AT&T and pioneering woman in technology. It discusses the barriers faced by women in STEM fields and how Marian overcame obstacles to become the highest female patent holder at AT&T with 118 patents. It highlights how Marian credits her success to having a mentor and becoming a mentor herself, encouraging others in the industry through her example and teaching.

1. ERINJORDAN
Writing Sample
Client: AT&T
Title: AT&T’s Influential Women Series - Marian Croak
Assisted in compiling draft content for the following newsletter released by Women in Technology
International (WITI) in December 2012.
Houston, Texas e contact@erinjordanpr.com p 832.696.1478 w erinjordanpr.com
At every level, women in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) careers face barriers.
Historical trends have seamlessly transitioned into current trends with the number of women entering
STEM fields being far too low. And should a woman be brave enough to follow her STEM dreams, she
is still met with the expectant pressure of choosing between work and family - because successful women
can’t have both. So the question remains - how can female leaders in STEM help eliminate these barriers for
future generations? Marian Croak, AT&T Senior Vice President Applications and Infrastructure, believes
mentorship is the key.
Show others how to lead, rather than telling them.
Marian is a pioneering woman in the field of technology who has continuously defied the odds and
encouraged others to do the same. When Marian began her career in tech, she didn’t consider the obstacles
associated with being a woman - she simply followed her passion. “I’m not a vocal person. I’m quiet,
self-reflective and introspective in my thinking; I like to invent. So essentially, I’m the opposite of that old
axiom of what a woman needs to succeed in this business,” Marian said explaining her personality. However,
in spite of her introverted nature, Marian holds 118 patents, making her the highest female patent holder at
AT&T. She has dedicated her patents and nearly 30-year career to her vision of making voice
communications possible over the Internet.
Find a mentor, be a mentor.
Amid all of her accomplishments, Marian is most proud of the time she has spent as an example and teacher
in the industry. She believes in the power of mentorship because her path to success has been rich with
support from family and colleagues. As a child, her father supported her ambitious nature by encouraging
her to pursue her love of science in creative ways, like building a chemistry lab in their home.

2. ERINJORDAN
Writing Sample - Page 2
Client: AT&T
Title: AT&T’s Influential Women Series - Marian Croak
Assisted in compiling draft content for the following newsletter released by Women in Technology
International (WITI) in December 2012.
Houston, Texas e contact@erinjordanpr.com p 832.696.1478 w erinjordanpr.com
The support continued into her adult life when Marian landed her first job out of graduate school at
AT&T’s Bell Laboratories. Through the support of her colleagues during the early years of her career,
Marian found her niche in the tech community. Today, Marian has given back by serving as a mentor to
numerous employees in AT&T Labs and as an executive sponsor for several STEM-related organizations.
Do what you love, so you can enjoy even the most tiresome moments.
Marian freely admits that her career has been hard work but said it’s worth it if her work makes a difference.
“[I would work] the regular workday, late nights at the Labs, drafting five or six patents during ‘free time’
on the weekends. I loved all of it, though, and I never felt I had to give up raising my family to chase my
dreams,” said Marian.
Continue to climb to the top, but don’t forget to make friends along the way.
Today, Marian manages more than 2,000 world class engineers and computer scientists, and she is
responsible for more than 500 programs impacting AT&T’s enterprise and consumer wireline and mobility
services. In this role, she is constantly inventing innovative ways to simplify communications. As a result,
she currently has 100 new patents under review by the U.S. Patent Office.
Women like Marian are an inspiration to us all. They remind us that the road to success may be filled with
obstacles, but if we support one another along the journey, we can reach the top together.
End

3. ERINJORDAN
Writing Sample
Client: Landmark Aviation
Title: Landmark Aviation Adds Aircraft through Acquisitions at BFI and MKE
Authored and distributed the following press release announcing the expansion of Landmark Aviation’s charter
fleet as well as recent acquisitions in March 2014.
Houston, Texas e contact@erinjordanpr.com p 832.696.1478 w erinjordanpr.com
Landmark Aviation’s Aircraft Management & Charter division recently added 18 aircraft to its fleet, fol-
lowing the acquisition of Sterling Aviation at General Mitchell International Airport (MKE) in Milwaukee,
Wisconsin and Galvin Flying Services at King County International Airport/Boeing Field (BFI) in Seattle,
Washington.
“These acquisitions have increased our offerings in the Midwest and Northwest,” President of Aircraft Man-
agement & Charter Ben Murray explained. “At Landmark, we are committed to the consistent expansion
of our fleet to meet the evolving needs of our customers.”
The acquisition of Sterling Aviation added 12 MKE-based aircraft including a 14-passenger Challenger 604,
9-passenger Hawker 850XP, and 9-passenger Citation Sovereign. Additionally, the acquisition of Galvin
Flying Services added six BFI-based aircraft including a 9-passenger Challenger 300 and an 8-passenger
Citation Excel. These aircraft are currently available for charter.
End