Winner of several journalism and marketing writing awards. Strong business background. Ability to learn quickly. Excellent interviewing skills. Familiar with business, sales and marketing processes. Extensive high-tech experience across wide spectrum of products and industries. Student of history and its lessons.

Marketing Communications | Press Releases | Web Sites
Business, Technical & Feature Writing | Editing | Consulting

 

EXPERIENCE

 

Gregory LeFever Writing & Editing • 2002-Present
Oregon City, Oregon
Owner
Freelance writing and editing specializing in business, marketing and technical writing as well as selected magazine writing and communications consulting. Contributing editor to Early American Life magazine.

 

Wordsmith Communications, Inc. • 1998-2002
Portland, Oregon
President and General Manager
Managed daily operation of $2 million communications agency, including administrative functions and supervising eight fulltime employees, plus ongoing business development. Managed selected client accounts. Agency revenues increased 60% between 1998 and 2000 with dramatic improvement in gross margins. 

 

Tektronix, Inc. • 1994-1998
Wilsonville, Oregon
Corporate Communications Manager
Managed key employee-communication vehicles and served as corporate webmaster coordinator for $2 billion corporation. Coordinated launch of first Tektronix website and enhanced its content and functionality. Served as Corporate Identity/Brand Manager for four years, advising and enforcing brand compliance worldwide. Edited and wrote comprehensive weekly employee newspaper in print and online versions for worldwide audience.

 

Tektronix, Inc. • 1986-1994
Wilsonville and Beaverton, Oregon
Marketing Communications Manager
Managed marketing communications activities for two major divisions, Visual Systems and Test & Measurement. Coordinated all advertising, public relations, literature, collateral and tradeshows for several key product introductions worldwide. Managed fiscal budgets of up to $12 million and up to 14 staff members.

 

Alpine Datasystems, Inc. • 1977-1986
Portland, Oregon
Vice President and Director of Communications
Responsible for all marketing communications and technical manuals, from company start-up through growth to $5 million. Developed all advertising, public relations, and sales collateral for three main product lines serving accountants, attorneys, and architects/engineers. Wrote 18 user manuals and managed technical documentation from 1977 to 1980. Served as one of four vice presidents 1984-86. Was instrumental in acclimating new owners when company was sold to European investors in 1982.

 

Rutland Herald • 1973-1977
Rutland, Vermont
Assistant Managing Editor
Vermont Press Bureau Reporter
Covered local and state government as member of Vermont Press Bureau 1973 to 1975, concentrating on investigative and environmental reporting. Named City Editor in 1975 and Assistant Managing Editor in 1976. Coordinated statewide coverage for up to 20 reporters, with responsibility for daily newsroom production. Also wrote Vermont-based articles for New York Times and Newsweek magazine.

 

Enquirer & News • 1971-1973
Battle Creek, Michigan
Special Assignment Reporter
Covered city government and won several newswriting awards for special-assignment work, including a Pulitzer Prize nomination and special tribute from the Michigan House of Representatives for investigative reporting on governmental issues. Also won Associated Press awards for series on Old Order Amish and substandard housing, and a United Press International award for the housing series. 

 

Marshall Chronicle • 1968-1971
Marshall, Michigan
Editor
General assignment reporter and photographer, named as editor in 1969 to become youngest editor of a daily newspaper in the state. Responsible for all daily news content and layout, and managed newsroom staff of three. Reported on local and county government, wrote editorials and weekly column. Circulation rose 10% in two years against stiff competition from much larger dailies.

 

AFFILIATIONS & EDUCATION

First Tech Credit Union • 1999-Present
Beaverton, Oregon
Board of Directors

Wordsmith Communications, Inc. • 1998-2002
Portland, Oregon
Board of Directors

Western Michigan University • 1965-1969
Kalamazoo, Michigan
English major, Communications and Philosophy minors