Dan BensonEditor, writer, team builder

ACHIEVEMENTS• January 2016 to present: As project leader for 21st Century Federalism at Wisconsin Policy

Research Institute in Milwaukee, Wis., launch and lead investigative team looking at impact of government grants in aid on state and local governments and taxpayers.

• March 2015 to present: As engagement/planning editor in Gannett Wisconsin Media Lakes region, worked with executive editor to lead significant reorganization of four Lakes Region sites -- Sheboygan, Manitowoc, Fond du Lac and Oshkosh. Implemented strategy to shift teams from print to digital-first focus. Since mid-October 2015 have served as the top editor in Sheboygan and engagement editor in Sheboygan and Manitowoc.

• November 2012 to March 2015: As key audience manager for Sheboygan Press Media, managed print and digital platforms and oversaw award-winning staff of seven. From August 2013 to March 2014, I was top editor while executive editor position was vacant. During this time Sheboygan Press digital reach was consistently among top three among Gannett Wisconsin’s 10 markets.

• 1995-2000: As real estate editor, launched Real Estate news section for Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, which was deemed among nation’s best by National Real Estate Editor’s Association.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCEWisconsin Policy Research Institute

21st Century Federalism Project Leader, January 2016 to present. Lead investigative team examining role federal grants in aid play in increased state and local spending.

Gannett Wisconsin Media• Engagement/Planning Editor. March 2015 to January 2016. Oversaw publication of

editorial content on digital and print platforms for up to four Gannett sites. Also oversee audience engagement efforts through social media, recruitment and management of community conversation contributors and organization of outreach events.

Sheboygan Press• Key Audience Manager, November 2012-March 2015. Oversaw daily newsroom staff and

production of print and digital content, planned and directed reader engagement efforts connecting print to web and social media. Site regularly ranked among top in GWN.

• Watchdog reporter, November 2009-November 2012. Award-winning city, county, schools reporter.

Journal Communications, 1991-2009• Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (MJS),watchdog reporter, 2000-2009. Municipal, county,

courts, cops, open meetings/records issues. • MJS, real estate/assistant business editor, 1996-2000. Launched award-winning real estate

section, helped edit daily business news section.

• MJS, assistant editor, Wisconsin Sunday magazine, 1995-1996.• Milwaukee Sentinel, assistant features editor, 1991-1995. Managed features staff of eight.

Other relevant experience:• San Diego Union, 1988-1991. Copy editor for features, sports, business, metro desks.

Regular winner of in-house headline-writing awards.• Copley News Service, San Diego, 1982-1988. News service wire editor.• Capistrano Valley News, San Juan Capistrano, Calif. 1980-1982. Community news

reporter/photographer.

CONTACT DETAILS920-254-2353 | 866 Ashley Ave., Port Washington, WI 53074 | benzoz@msn.com

REFERENCES• Kevin Anderson, former executive editor, Gannett Wisconsin Media/Lakes Region. kevin@charman-

anderson.com; 815-980-7588.• George Stanley, senior vice president/editor, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. gstanley@journalsentinel.com;

414-224-2248.• Mike Juley, assistant metro editor, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. mjuley@journalsentinel.com; 414-224-2324. • Bob Petrie, former city editor, Sheboyan Press. bobpetrie2005@yahoo.com; (262) 375-0115

AWARDS• Wisconsin Newspaper Association: General Excellence, Sheboygan Press 2015; 1st and 2nd headline writing

2013, 2014; 1st investigative news 2011; 2nd spot news, 3rd beat reporting 2010; 1st team spots news coverage, 2003; certificate of merit investigative reporting 2002.

• Gannett Newspapers: 1st spot news, 1st team coverage, 2011; 1st Community Leadership, 1st team reporting 2010.

• Milwaukee Press Club: 1st team spot news coverage, 2003.• Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (in house): Best beat coverage, 2005,• National Association of Real Estate Editors: Twice runner-up, one honorable mention best real estate section;

three writing awards.

VOLUNTEER, COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT• Youth baseball/softball umpire.• Youth baseball coach/board member.• High School Booster Club board member/volunteer• Church volunteer: Committee member, website/social media manager, publicity chairman, Sunday school

teacher, small groups champion.• Historical Society board member.

EDUCATION/MEMBERSHIPS• Iowa State University: B.S., Agricultural Journalism, 1979• Moody Bible Institute, certificate of biblical studies, 2011.• Investigative Reporters & Editors.

OTHER SKILLS AND EDUCATION• Software: Quark Express, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Word, PowerPoint.• Training: Videotape and sound recording, Dealing with Difficult People, Employee Discipline,

Peacekeepers/Conflict Resolution.

• Social media: Wordpress, Blogspot, Facebook, Twitter, Linked-In, Hootsuite.