Bruno Tedeschi

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EXPERIENCED COMMUNICATIONS PROFESSIONAL

PROFILE

• Media savvy: Knows how and where to pitch a story, understands how newsrooms work, can spot the news hook in any story and anticipate the questions reporters will ask.

• Effective communicator: Award-winning reporter, fast and accurate writer and experienced editor with an ability to simplify complex issues, whether in science, business or government.

• Grace under fire: Works well under daily deadline pressure, effectively leads groups of people responding to crisis events, organizes and hones raw ideas into stories and projects. Juggles multiple tasks.

• Team player: Works within a large organization as a results-oriented leader and coach.

• Politically astute: Understands the legislative and political process, political fundraising and campaigning and the intersection of business and politics.

• Not easily intimidated: Interviewed, cajoled and negotiated with governors, congressmen, state legislators, party leaders, mayors, company presidents, CEOs.

• Computer wiz: Proficient in Word, Excel, Access, Power Point, ArcView, Facebook, MySpace and LinkedIn and can build web sites with Dreamweaver and the Joomla! content management system. Operates a Web 2.0 website that uses Google Analytics, affiliate advertising, polling, quizzes, commenting, video and search engine optimization.

EMPLOYMENT

The North Ward Center, Newark, N.J.

Director of Communications, November 2008 - Present

Responsible for all press material generated by the North Ward Center, a non-profit organization founded by Stephen N. Adubato Sr. in Newark's North Ward that includes The Robert Treat Academy, a 2008 No Child Left Behind-Blue Ribbon School; Casa Israel Adult Medical Day Care; Newark Business Training Institute and an Abbott preschool program for nearly 700 children. Published self-generated content about the center on a blog on nj.com.  

The Star-Ledger, Newark, N.J.

City Editor, October 2006 – November 2008

A key newsroom position, the city editor supervises a staff of 10 reporters responsible for covering the New Jersey’s largest city. I’m pitched stories from reporters, readers and politicians, civic leaders and public relations professionals who work for government, hospitals and local businesses. I determine what stories get put in the paper and when a story is worthy of A1 or the Jersey Page (metro) and pitch those stories to the appropriate editors.

Middlesex County Bureau Chief, November 2002 - October 2006

Supervised a staff of nine veteran reporters responsible for covering all news out of Middlesex County, Frequently oversaw and assisted in computer database reporting projects. Also trained and supervised a new crop of interns every year.

The Record, Hackensack, N.J.

State House Bureau Chief, June 2000 – November 2002

Led the six-person Trenton bureau during a tumultuous period in New Jersey’s history that began with the early departure of Gov. Christie Whitman, the revolving door of acting governors and Gov. Jim McGreevey’s first year in office. As bureau chief, wrote, assigned, edited and rewrote news articles on a wide range of topics, including auto insurance regulation, education policy, political campaigns, government ethics, campaign finance and lobbying.

Environmental Reporter, June 1996 - June 2000

Covered the environment, one of the most important topical beats in New Jersey. Reported on the legislative and regulatory process, had a wide range of sources within the state Department of Environmental Protection, the governorÂ’s office, legislative offices, companies, environmental firms, academia, water and sewerage authorities as well as environmental groups. Used the computer mapping software ArcView to analyze federal air quality data to write an award-wining story on the hazards of New JerseyÂ’s air.

Staff Writer, April 1993 - June 1996

Worked as a general municipal reporter, covering Clifton, the second largest municipality in The Record's circulation area.

The Herald & News, Passaic, N.J.

Staff Writer, April 1992-April 1993

Covered the banking crisis of the early 1990s when dozens of savings and loan institutions with portfolios of non-performing loans failed. Also covered the pharmaceutical and chemical industry.

The Gloucester County Times, Woodbury, N.J.

Staff Writer, January 1992 – April 1992

Covered municipal government in aging industrial towns along the Delaware River as well as agricultural communities in Gloucester County, N.J.

The Daily Journal, Elizabeth, N.J.

Staff Writer, December 1990 - January 1992

Covered businesses in Union County, a beat that included the local economy, the savings and loan crisis, and several major corporations such as Merck & Co., Schering-Plough and General Motors.

EDUCATION

• Master of Arts, Journalism with a specialization in Science, Environmental and Health reporting, New York University, 1990.

• Bachelor of Arts, dual major in Chemistry and Philosophy, Hofstra University, 1989

PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION AND TRAINING

• Rutgers University, Cook College Office of Continuing Professional Education, New Brunswick, N.J., Fundamentals of Geographical Information Systems and Desktop Mapping, 1999

• Poynter Institute, St. Petersburg, Fla., Leadership for new managers, 2001

• Associated Press Managing Editor’s News Train workshops, 2006 and 2007

AWARDS

• Pulitzer Prize for deadline reporting, staff award, The Star-Ledger, 2005

• Finalist for the James Wright Brown Public Award, Deadline Club, New York City Society of Professional Journalists, 1999, “The Air We Breathe,” The Record

• Second Place, New Jersey Society for Professional Journalists, 1999, “The Air We Breathe,” The Record

• Third Place, New Jersey Society for Professional Journalists, 1998, “A million acres,” New Jersey Reporter

TELEVISION AND RADIO

Regularly appeared on NJNÂ’s ReporterÂ’s Roundtable and News 12Â’s Roundtable and appeared on WNYC with Brian Lehrer, WABC 7, Fox 5, and MSNBC.

SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS

• Society for Environmental Journalists, Michigan State University, October 2000, spoke about series “The Air We Breathe.”

• ESRI User Conference, San Diego, Calif., July 2001, spoke at a panel on using Geographical Information Systems for journalism

• New Jersey State League of Municipalities, Atlantic City, November 2007, spoke on panel about the role of press for municipal government officials