About Ryan
I am a passionate writer and editor who values technical precision and creative flair. Originally from Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, I now preside in New York City, where I write, perform improv comedy, and seek creative challenges and opportunities to hone my technical prowess. Most recently, I wrote and edited for a government training institute. Prior to that, I was a copywriter and a college-level English teacher at Penn State University, where I also received a Master of Arts Degree in English with a focus on nonfiction writing, as well as my undergraduate degrees in English and Telecommunications and Media Industries.
Experience
August 2022 - December 2025
JHT, Inc., A Precise Systems Company – Orlando, FL
Technical Writer/Editor
- Edited products for spelling, grammar, and government standards and formatting, including proposals, research compendiums, exams, facilitation guides, fact sheets, PowerPoints, and a wide range of instructional and research projects.
- Edited products and provided expertise in accordance with the American Psychological Association Style Manual, Government Publishing Office Style Manual, and customer-specific rules, including reference and citation guidelines.
- Created style guides and documents for quality consistency and management, tackling common issues and assuring the highest standards possible.
- Researched, created, updated, and edited Special Observance products for all federally recognized observances throughout the year (e.g., Black History Month, Women's History Month, etc.) to be shared and distributed across the government and military.
- Organized and maintained databases of Special Observance topics and timelines for planning future products.
February 2022 - March 2022
GRM Information Management – Jersey City, NJ
Copywriter
- Wrote blog posts, press releases, case studies, and white papers covering digitization, document storage, banking, and health care.
- Balanced technical knowledge and research with an accessible writing style for casual and business audiences.
- Consulted in content strategy planning meetings, which focused on search engine optimization (SEO).
- Researched topics, including speaking with and interviewing experts, to produce writing for social media, webpages, and clients.
January 2021 - January 2022
Bowstring Studios, Wavelength Productions, Penn State THON, Various – State College, PA; New York City, NY
Production Assistant
- Assisted in loading and setting up audio and video equipment.
- Collaborated with industry leaders to plan and execute shooting and break schedule.
- Filmed and edited video packages, serving in various roles during live shoots.
August 2020 - August 2021
Pennsylvania State University – State College, PA
Graduate teaching assistant / adjunct professor
- Instructed and worked closely with students on writing and rhetoric with lectures, PowerPoint presentations, guides, and the online learning platform Canvas.
- Workshopped hundreds of proposals, argumentative essays, and multimedia projects in service of practical analysis and critical clarity.
- Taught students effective research methods, formatting, reference and citation principles, and how to create graphics on Canva.
- Collaborate with other professors weekly to discuss best practices and lesson plans.
- Nominated for the Teaching Excellence Award during my tenure.
May 2018 - October 2021
Midtown Cinema – Harrisburg, PA
Production Team Member / clerk
- Created promotional videos, photos, and graphics to be shown in theaters and on social media, reaching tens of thousands of people.
- Edited brochures and programs for upcoming films and services to be displayed in local businesses to help customers find and access showings.
- Assisted in daily theater operations and customer service.
May 2019 - August 2019
WITF – Harrisburg, PA
TV PRoduction Intern
- Assisted with various public television and radio productions, which appeared on local and national stations, including National Public Radio.
- Researched documentary topics, including national and local issues and interests, transcribed and edited scripts, and interviewed experts from various fields.
- Served as production assistant and pitched ideas on several projects, including one that won a Mid-Atlantic Emmy for Best Documentary.
August 2018 - December 2019
Centre County Report – State College, PA
Executive producer
- Oversaw weekly live news broadcasts with a full television studio and control room.
- Instructed students on operating all technical positions and equipment, including cameras, microphones, control boards, and computers.
- Edited scripts for shows and video content for the webpage and livestream to be played on WPSU, a local public broadcasting station.
- Conducted and organized live and prerecorded interviews and remote features in local places of interest.
- Produced a weekly news broadcast that was nominated for the 2019 Mid-Atlantic Emmy for Best Newscast.
May 2018 - August 2018
Harrisburg Improv Theater – Harrisburg, PA
Theater intern
- Oversaw technical aspects of live show performances, including scheduling, lighting, and sound.
- Assisted in instructing a video sketch comedy class and producing short films by students.
- Operated the theater's social media pages, creating original art, graphics, and writing to increase engagement and promotion for the venue and its classes.
January 2018 - May 2018
Penn State Women’s Basketball Team, the Lady Lions – State College, PA
Graphic Designer
- Created social media graphics to promote games and events for the Penn State's Lady Lions basketball team.
- Designed customized mailers and materials for recruiting potential players.
- Collaborated with coaches and team members to create products of the highest possible quality to represent Penn State's brand.
August 2017 - December 2017
7 Mountains Media – State College, PA
Radio Production Intern
- Worked closely with radio hosts and producers on a local popular music broadcast station, assisting in technical aspects of recording and transmitting live shows.
- Researched topics, trends, and news to write scripts for use and discussion on air several times per week, adapting and posting stories and discussions online to engage the community.
- Set up and engaged in live remote events, which included community engagement activities like prize giveaways, games, and interviews.
Passion Projects
2022 - Present
Lewis Improv – Brooklyn, NY
Organizer/Performer
- Planned and organized shows across New York City, including a semi-monthly variety show at the Brooklyn Comedy Collective, featuring improv, stand-up, music, and magic.
- Collaborated with a team of comedians from different backgrounds.
- Traveled to festivals and conferences across the tristate area to work and perform with other professional comedians.
2016 - 2021
Phroth, Penn State Humor Publication – State College, PA
Editor-in-chief
- Organized writing and production meetings, edited articles/images, directed all content to be published online and in print.
- Oversaw every step of creation, funding, and distribution of about 25,000 newspapers/magazines each year.
- Served as staff writer, head writer, and lead designer at various points before becoming editor-in-chief.
2016 - 2021
Penn State Comedy Organizations – State College, PA
President & Festival chair
- Ran meetings, filmed and edited videos of performers, and ran social media accounts.
- Served as the two-time organizer for annual $20,000 “RAWR” Improv Festival, which involved researching comedians from across the country, securing funding for travel and venues, and making sure the event ran smoothly.
- Organized weekly shows, workshops, promotion, and all club events for "Full Ammo Improv" and "Second Floor Stand-Up" organizations.
My Skills
I’m very grateful to my opportunities to grow and hone my skills in a variety of areas. I hope to never stop learning new and useful skills, whether it’s related to writing, producing videos, or entirely new fields!
- Adobe Photoshop
- Adobe Premiere Video Editing
- Adobe Indesign
- Proficient in Reading & Writing
- Quick Editor of American English
- Knowledge of Studio & Film Equipment
- Proficient in Microsoft Suite
- Organization & Event Planning