Alexi Holford
2640 E. Broadway, Long Beach, CA 90803
(562) 673-0538
alexiholford@gmail.com

OBJECTIVE

My goal is to find a challenging writing/editing position that requires creativity and the ability to communicate important ideas well in mission-oriented publications.

STRENGTHS

• Detail-oriented editor with the ability to also see the big picture
• Compelling writer who is able to present interesting and impactful information
• Excellent speech writer who is able to adapt her style to meet the needs of the speaker
• Proficient manager capable of juggling multiple deadlines, including the ability to provide others with accurate timelines and deadlines for their submissions
• Thorough researcher able to sift through lots of information to unearth critical facts
• Caring team player willing to help out and support other staff members in need
• Effective communicator who works well with multiple contacts and departments
• Good listener who is open to feedback, new ideas, and ways to improve

WORK EXPERIENCE

October 2002 to present
Aquarium of the Pacific
Long Beach, CA

January 2007 to present
Communications Manager

• Create 19-month commemorative calendar for 10-year anniversary
• Continue all duties below

October 2002 to December 2006
Communications Coordinator

• Write, edit, and manage 28-page quarterly member magazine, Pacific Currents, that reaches more than 100,000 individuals
• Write and manage annual report
• Write annual visitor guide with new exhibition theme
• Write monthly emails for the members and the public
• Script speaking points for the president/CEO, board members, and city officials (including Mayors Beverly O’Neill and Bob Foster)
• Assist with press releases and updates to websites (public and internal)
• Serve as marketing representative on the Aquarium’s Green Team

2007 to present
Freelance Work
Long Beach, CA

• Proofreader of nonfiction book, Serious Doubts by Carl Weisman, 2009
• Contributing author to Mexico Living monthly guide book, 2008
• Finalist in Glimmer Train’s 2007 spring Short Story Contest for New Writers
• Proofreader of and contributing author to literary journal Under the Structure
  (Lulu Press, September 2007)
• Proofreader of nonfiction book So, Why Have You Never Been Married? by Carl Weisman (New Horizon Press, April 2007)

December 1999 to March 2001
Knowledge Engineer
Cycorp, Inc.
Austin, TX

• Disambiguated terms for HotBot, a search engine application
• Entered assertions in CycL into the database to define the basic taxonomy of biology

March 1998 to December 1999
Editorial Assistant
Hoover’s, Inc.
Austin, TX

• Wrote short profiles of finance and healthcare companies
• Fact checked executive officers and other company stats
• Provided links for a portal on travel

EDUCATION

University of Texas at Austin
BA in English, minor in Anthropology, 1997

Continuing Education
UCLA Extension, The Writer's Workout, April-May 2005
UCLA Extension, Writing and Marketing the Magazine Article, October-November 2004
University Extension at UT Austin, Short Story, Spring 1999

VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE

2003 to present
Green Team Member
Aquarium of the Pacific
Long Beach, CA

• Marketing Representative
• Created, organized, and publicized the Aquarium’s annual street cleanup program, increasing attendance from 40 volunteers in 2003 to more than 300 in 2007 and 2008

May 2006 to May 2009
Religious Education Committee Member
Unitarian Universalist Church of Long Beach
Long Beach, CA

• Coordinated Secret Pals program in 2007 and 2008
• Served as secretary in first year

not cute

I have not been in pursuit of a boyfriend for a while now. I have too much else on my plate and have felt I need to focus on some changes in myself. Nonetheless, through facebook, an old friend from high school nudged me to become FB friends with someone who went to the Hisg School for Health Professions but whom I did not know. This person lives in San Francisco. I didn't think there was any harm in becoming friends online, so I added him. We chatted here and there on occassion. Nothing remarkable. Then he asked if I wanted to talk on the phone. Sure. So we did. And that conversation is what led to the post below about Enneagrams. Well, since then, things have gotten weird.

Here is what I don't like. If someone tells you that they think you are cute (as I said to him), don't say, "I know." That is so arrogant sounding! And on a few occassions this person said things like, "Well, we both know that you like me." Really? Well, not so much after that stunt he pulled when we had our one and only web chat. He got confused, apparently, and thought I was someone he met on adultfriendfinders. Look, I don't care how impressive your package is, that was not what I wanted to see. Shall I go on?

I am a Shark Scholar!

Congratulations, you are a Shark Scholar. You sit at the apex of shark knowledge! You’re likely the type of person that understands the connection between sustainable seafood and sharks. You are cautious of products that contain shark oil, cartilage or shark-derived squalene and you wouldn’t dare eat shark fin soup. Keep the ocean healthy by spreading your knowledge and share your wisdom with your friends. Take the Aquarium of the Pacific’s Shark Quiz to test your shark smarts.

I'm a Romantic

So, I have been reading a short book on Enneagrams that a friend lent me after reading my last post. Turns out, I am the romantic type, number 4. I am not the loyal skeptic, although I do have some of those traits. My sister reminded me that she introduced me to Enneagrams many, many years ago. My goodness, I wish I had looked into it. This whole approach is such a relief. It helps me to see that the way I am is simply the way I am, and not some pathology.

know thyself

I am 39 years old and still figuring out who I am. I am learning about how I operate. My way of being is not linear, but more of a drunkard's walk. My expectations for myself have been to operate in a linear fashion, but that just is not me. And then tonight, I had an unexpected conversation with someone for the first time, and ended up getting introduced to Enneagram personality types. After a series of questions, my new friend told me that my dominant perspective, or type, is that of the loyal skeptic. Here is a short description:

A loyalist and team-player but also vigilant to threats from the environment. Warm and engaging, but often full of contradictions due to a defensive stance. An overly-skeptical attitude can produce self-doubt and indecisiveness.

I would say that is spot on. Amazing. And a little scary. Like reading a very accurate horoscope. Only this seems to be something that could help me to understand myself more. The thing is, this friend was introduced to this theory through work and has gotten introduced for free. I will see if I can find anything at the library. I am not coughing out the dough to take classes or anything.