Our Consultants » Heather B. Hayes
PROFESSIONAL FOCUS
More than 20 years of experience working in the editorial and marketing sectors, with an exceptionally strong ability to write with authority on a wide range of topics and to develop clear, well-crafted marketing messages and supporting materials for clients in corporate, government and non-profit arenas.
Has published more than 2,000 articles in more than 50 consumer and trade publications and have produced regular columns on information technology, legislative and regulatory activities and travel industry trends. Have also developed a range of marketing materials—from brochures and white papers to news releases and advertisements—for small businesses, large corporations, government agencies and non-profit associations.
Areas of expertise include: feature writing, news writing, corporate communications, project management, custom publishing, ghostwriting/speechwriting and editing and proofreading.
Clients include national consumer magazines, leading trade publications, major metropolitan newspapers, Fortune 500 firms, small businesses, government contractors, educational institutions and non-profit associations.
PROFESSIONAL ACCOMPLISHMENTS
FEATURE WRITING
Has written more than 2,000 articles on a variety of topics, including business and finance, information technology, security, health care, education, local, state and federal government, law enforcement, travel, history, sports, legal issues, architecture, interior design and personalities. These articles ran in such publications as Newsweek, The Washington Post, USA Today, The Washington Times, Virginia Business, Washington Business Journal, Destinations, Historic Traveler, Heartland USA, Catalyst, Bluegrass, Bridgewater, Defense News, Federal Computer Week, Government Executive, Washington Technology, Government Health IT, Sports Parade International, Luxury Log Homes, The Maryland Horse, The Mid-Atlantic Thoroughbred, Equus and Kentucky Living.
NEWS WRITING
Broke two national stories about Americans captured and held in Laos. Stories nominated for North Carolina Press Association Award.
PROJECT MANAGEMENT
Has managed custom publication projects from development to fruition, including hiring creative contractors, planning content, writing headlines, working with printer and paying invoices. These custom publications, on such topics as information technology and information security, ran in trade magazines and were used by clients to educate their target audience on trends and issues affecting the industry.
CORPORATE COMMUNICATIONS
Possesses extensive experience in writing news releases, brochures, white papers, internal newsletters, Web copy, advertorials and case studies for corporations and non-profit associations. Clients include Dell Computer, Unisys, Robbins-Gioia, Seagate, Hewlett-Packard, O'Keeffe and Co., American Management Systems, CGI Group, Vignette Corporation, Extension Group, JANSON Communications, Ampheta Creative, Telework Exchange, the Railway Progress Institute and the Amherst County Humane Society.
GHOST WRITING/SPEECHWRITING
Has written op-ed pieces and speeches for corporate and government executives, with a strong emphasis on capturing the personal style and personality of the client while also accurately, eloquently and clearly conveying the key message and points desired.
EDITING/PROOFREADING
Possesses strong skills in providing just the right amount of substantive or mechanical editing needed to produce clear, well-written prose that doesn't change the tone or style of the original piece.
EDUCATION
University of Kentucky, B.A., Journalism, 1987
Concentrations in History and English
ACHIEVEMENTS
Virginia Press Association Award
Education Writing—2006, 2007, 2008
Business/Finance Writing—2009