Laura Dent

Experience

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  Access Technology

  Jan 1986 - Jan 1990

  Technical Writer
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  Applix

  Jan 1990 - Jan 1995

  Technical Writer
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  D. E. Shaw & Co.

  Jan 1995 - Jan 1998

  Technical Writer and Web Developer

  Coding of interactive user assistance for online financial services.

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  JPMorgan Chase

  Jan 2000 - Jan 2001

  Technical Writer

  Arrakis, then subsidiary of JPMorgan (Chase).

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  Various

  Jan 2001 - Jan 2001

  Technical Writing Consultant

  Technical writing consulting projects for software in various industries including financial services, e-commerce, and functional testing.

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  HCL Technologies

  Jan 2002 - Jan 2003

  Technical Proposal Writer
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  Digimarc ID Systems

  Jan 2003 - Jan 2004

  Technical Proposal Writer
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  Ferguson Enterprises

  Jan 2005 - Sept 2005

  Internal Auditing and Documentation Specialist

  Designed and implemented documentation auditing system for Sarbanes-Oxley compliance.

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  Rosetta Stone

  Jan 2006 - Jun 2012

  Senior Technical Writer

  Technical WritingWrote user interface (UI) text in xml, html, for language-learning software for CD, online, and and mobile devices using SVN source control.Created single-sourced online help and hardcopy documentation using Flare authoring tool, SnagIt screen capture, and Fireworks graphic editor.Participated in product design and usability with software developers in agile scrum teams.Created UI text, online help, and hardcopy documentation in a variety of software applications, including finance, office productivity, and e-commerce.LocalizationProduced simultaneous shipment (SimShip) of localized UI text, help, and documentation.Used language proficiencies to assist in linguistic QA of localized software and documents.Trained in-country translators using videos, screen shots, and live web conferences. Show less

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  Freelance

  Jun 2012 - Dec 2020

  Technical Writing Consultant

  * Work with clients to develop effective technical communications on a variety of platforms, including user interface text, Web Help, knowledge base, marketing collateral, and web content.* Create single-sourced documentation systems to produce multiple outputs of the same content, such as online help, hardcopy documents, and mobile devices. * Develop systems for localization (translation) of user interface text and documentation.

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  Future Generations

  Oct 2012 - Mar 2013

  Writing Consultant

  Future Generations creates local health-care training programs in remote and impoverished areas of the world. I'm helping to tell the story of how Future Generations helped women in the villages of Afghanistan reduce infant mortality rates by nearly half.See www.future.org

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  ShareStream

  Dec 2012 - Jun 2016

  Technical Writing Consultant

  ShareStream creates integrated systems for sharing rich media including video, audio, documents, and images in universities and other organizations.I'm responsible for creating, updating, and maintaining documentation of the systems and end-user applications for administrators, faculty, and students.

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  Aker Wade

  Jun 2013 - Mar 2016

  Technical Writing Consultant

  Aker Wade is an international leader in fast-charging systems for electric vehicles.I'm designing single-sourcing systems to create multiple customized documents based on brand, product line, and location - for example, the different electrical requirements in the US and Europe.

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  Advanced Language Translation Inc.

  Dec 2013 - Dec 2020

  Localization Engineer

  Implemented single-sourced document systems in a variety of languages using Flare.

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  Venture Interactive

  Sept 2014 - Dec 2014

  Content Administrator

  Review and revise online training materials in a variety of languages.

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  American National University and National College

  Sept 2014 - Nov 2014

  Adjunct Faculty

  Taught course in Technical Communication for Information Technology Professionals.

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  James Madison University

  Jan 2015 - Jan 2021

  Adjunct Faculty

  Teach course in Technical Writing for Computer Science majors.

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  Venga Global

  Mar 2015 - Sept 2015

  Localization Content Writer

  Create and edit white papers and blog posts on topics in localization.

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  Rosetta Stone

  May 2017 - Mar 2020

  UI/UX Content Strategist / Technical Writer

  My recent work at Rosetta Stone was all about the User Interface (UI) text and localization (translation and adaptation into users' native language). I did localization engineering, the technical implementation of UI text and language content.

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  City of Harrisonburg, VA - Government

  Nov 2020 - now

  I'm running for re-election to City Council! I'm running for re-election to Harrisonburg City Council in 2024! I'm running for re-election to City Council! Now officially sworn in as Council Member!

  • Vice Mayor

    Jan 2023 - now

  • City Council Member

    Jan 2021 - now

  • Vice Mayor of Harrisonburg

    Jan 2021 - now

  • Vice Mayor of Harrisonburg

    Jan 2021 - now

  • Vice Mayor of Harrisonburg

    Jan 2021 - now

  • Vice Mayor of Harrisonburg

    Jan 2021 - now

  • City Council Member-elect

    Nov 2020 - Jan 2021
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  National League of Cities

  Jan 2024 - now

  Vice Chair

  Vice Chair of the Energy, Environment, and Natural Resources Federal Advocacy Committee