Professional Summary

Don White, technical communicator—not Perry White, Editor-in-Chief

I am a Senior Technical Communicator, an experienced leader, manager, and mentor. I have earned awards of Distinguished Technical Communication and Merit from the Society for Technical Communication and, in my previous professional life, was honored by receipt of the Joint Service Commendation Medal and two awards of the Navy Achievement Medal while serving in US Navy cryptology. I have and use excellent verbal and written technical communications skills. I bring to your enterprise over 30 years of experience in system analysis, technical writing, editing, and desktop publishing. I am particularly skilled with information design, content management, and user-centered documentation. I conceived, organized, and directed two highly successful regional technical communication conferences.

Roots

I’m a native of Charlotte NC. However, my parents traded one grade of red clay for another and raised me just outside of Atlanta, Georgia near the humble village of Decatur. As a result, my humility is boundless.

USS WILLIAM H. BATES

Background

Following a brief stint at the University of Georgia, I entered active duty in The World’s Finest Nuclear Navy and served in the Naval Security Group as a linguist, or (officially) in the Cryptologic Technician (CTI) rating. When I finished my career, I was a Chief Petty Officer qualified in submarines (USS WILLIAM H BATES). I served aboard six aircraft carriers, two landing ships, one guided missile destroyer, and six fast attack boats while assigned to commands in the eastern United States and in Europe. I try not to tell (too) many sea stories.

Building a public hiking trail

Community Involvement

I was active for 13 years with the Boy Scouts of America as a leader with four troops in Spain, Scotland, and Maryland. All the youth with whom I worked are adults now, with their own families. (I’m a Wood Badger.)

Since 1990, I've been active in the Potomac Appalachian Trail Club—I was honored to be chosen to serve as leader of the public affairs committee, supervisor of trails, and manager for a 200-acre tract by Shenandoah National Park. It has been my honor to lead two separate volunteer trail construction crews for the Club.I am a proud “alum” of the Demosthenian Literary Society at the University of Georgia.

Professional Organizations

I have been very active in the STC James River Chapter and Consulting & Independent Contracting SIG of the Society for Technical Communication. I’m a member of the IEEE/Professional Communication Society and the Naval Cryptologic Veterans Association.