DAN BENSONPort Washington, Wis. 920.254.2353 snortinghorses@gmail.com

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Gannett Wisconsin Media Engagement/Planning Edior. March 2015 to present: Oversee publication of

editorial content on digital and print platforms in four Gannett sites -- Fond du Lac Oshkosh, Sheboygan and Manitowoc. Also oversee audience engagement efforts through social media, recruitment and management of community columnists and organization of outreach events. Edit daily opinion pages.

Sheboygan Press News editor, November 2012-March 215. Oversaw daily newsroom staff and

production of print editions, plan and direct reader engagement efforts connecting print to web to social media. Site regularly ranked among top in GWN.

Watchdog reporter, November 2009-Novermber 2012. Covered school district, city and county government.

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

section. MJS, assistant editor, Wisconsin Sunday magazine, 1995-1996. Milwaukee Sentinel, assistant features editor, 1991-1995.

Other relevant experience: San Diego Union, 1988-1991. Copy editor for features, sports, business, metro desks. Copley News Service, San Diego, 1982-1988. News service wire editor. Capistrano Valley News, San Juan Capistrano, Calif. 1980-1982. Community news

reporter/photographer.

E ducation Iowa State University: B.S., Agricultural Journalism. 1979

Awards and Accomplishments Wisconsin Newspaper Association: 1st and 2nd headline writing 2013, 2014, 2015; 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.

San Diego Union (in-house): Best monthly headlines, 14 of 29 months. Orange County (Calif.) Press Club: 2nd best feature story, 1980.

Volunteer, community involvement experience Youth baseball/softball umpire. Church volunteer, committee member, website/social media manager, publicity

volunteer, Sunday school teacher, small group champion. Historical Society board member. Senior Center publicity volunteer. Youth baseball coach.

Other skills and education Software: Quark Express, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Word, PowerPoint. Training: Videotaping and sound recordingfor reporters/editors, “Dealing with

Difficult People,” “Employee Discipline,” “Conflict Resolution.” Social media: Wordpress, Blogspot, Facebook, Twitter, Linked-In, Hootsuite.