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Mark’s Resumé
Mark J. Scarp
(602) 810-8964
mscarp1@cox.netSKILLS/ATTRIBUTES
- Natural organizer and multi-tasker; like the variety show performer who spins several china plates at once atop tall sticks, I know exactly when each plate needs attention to keep it spinning
- Energetic and inspirational leader; my strength is in finding out what someone’s goals, aspirations and ideals are; in helping him or her meet those goals they become better and more reliably motivated to meet those of the organization
- Precise editor and fluid writer; I have been known in newsrooms I’ve worked as the “in case of emergency, break glass” journalist who can organize and write a story quickly and cleanly – and in double-quick time
- Public speaker with presence/ ability to articulate clearly; I have asked and answered questions on television, which taught me how to be more concise and more persuasive
- Twenty-four years dealing directly with public relations and marketing and employing their techniques in events planning and promotion; I know what works and what doesn’t
EXPERIENCE
Society of American Business Editors and Writers, national association of journalists based at Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication, Arizona State University, Phoenix, Arizona
- Membership Coordinator, October 2009 to present. In charge of maintaining membership and donor records of 3,200-member organization, the nation’s largest of business news journalists. Also part of four-person staff team that (1) organized and set up new headquarters in Phoenix after move from longtime home in Missouri, and (2) administers annual business newswriting contest that attracts approximately 800 entries, fall and spring conferences in different cities that attract 120-170 journalists and 150-200 exhibitors, sponsors, speakers and others. In addition, supervise team of volunteers that staffs conferences. Liaison between organization and board members, leading business journalists, donors and our hosts at Arizona State University. Chief writer and editor for organization website, http://sabew.org
Arizona Capitol Times, weekly newspaper covering state government/agencies/politics, Phoenix Arizona.
- Freelance political writer, August 2010 to present. Cover wide variety of subjects, everything from profiles of candidates and leading Arizonans to election-night coverage of statewide races
East Valley & Scottsdale Tribune: daily newspaper serving metro Phoenix’s East Valley
- Local news columnist, Scottsdale edition, January 2006-January 2009; subject field is all things Scottsdale, from zoning decisions on major developments such as One Scottsdale to controversies over regulating strip clubs
- Editorial writer and member of Tribune Editorial Board, June 1999-January 2009; includes 5½ years as editor of locally famed call-in column, “The Vent,” 2000-2006
- Write editorials on subjects ranging from local to state to national issues, areas of concentration include freedom of information and personal and civil liberties, 1999-2009
- Creator/compiler of “Walls Have Ears,” Scottsdale edition’s weekly heard-and-overheard column, 2006-2008
- Moderator, televised candidate/issue forums for congressional, legislative and municipal elections, 1999, 2000, 2002, 2004, 2006; have made several appearances on KAET-TV’s Horizon public-affairs show
- Acting assistant city editor, Scottsdale edition; during period of reduction in force, October 2008-January 2009; taking duties of this position – supervising reporters, editing reporters’ copy and outside submissions — while continuing as columnist/editorial writer
- Community affairs editor, in charge of staff producing all content for three zoned community sections in East Valley edition, 1997-1999
- General assignment reporter for Tribune and its precursor, Scottsdale Progress, known as the “go-to” or “utility infielder” reporter with ability to competently and impressively fill in at several different beats, 1991-1997
Arizona State University, Tempe and Phoenix, Arizona
- Faculty associate (adjunct professor) of journalism, teaching classes in mass communications law, journalism ethics and diversity and newswriting/reporting in the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication, January 2008 to present
EDUCATION
Bachelor of Science, political science, Arizona State University- Completed several credits in journalism, held various editorial positions at ASU State Press and was founder and first editor of ASU’s first campus-wide magazine, Point
AWARDS, HONORS, AFFILIATIONS
Society of Professional Journalists, nation’s oldest (founded 1909) and largest association of news people with nearly 10,000 members in all 50 states; active member since 1991- Member, National Ethics Committee, 2010-present
- Vice Chair, National Public Outreach Committee, 2008-2010
- Chair, National Membership Committee, 2003-2006
- National board of directors, regional director representing Arizona, California, Hawaii and Nevada, overseeing $2 million annual budget, 1997-2003
- National Executive Committee, administering Society at all times that the semi-annually meeting national board was not in session, 2001-2002, 2002-2003
- Member, National Finance Committee, preparing annual budget for board, 2000-01
- Recipient, Outstanding Regional Director Award, 1997-1998, 2000-01
- Recipient, Howard Dubin Outstanding Pro Chapter Member Award, 1996
- President, Valley of the Sun Chapter, 1992-1994, 2003-2006 (named national Large Chapter of the Year, 2003-2004); active on local chapter board since 1991
- Chair, Programs Committee, organizing and/or moderating several panel discussions per year on journalism issues; chaired four-state journalism conference at ASU in April 2009
- Instructor, annual Ted Scripps Leadership Institute, teaching new SPJ chapter leaders valuable newsroom and chapter leadership skills, 1999-2006
First Amendment Coalition of Arizona Inc., consortium of Arizona’s news media that maintains free statewide legal hotline providing advice to journalists with questions on public records and open meetings; active board member since 1992
- Treasurer, 2009-present
- Immediate Past President, 2006-2008
- President, 2001-2005
- Chair, Programs Committee; currently organizing a series of public forums in several Arizona cities on citizens’ rights to access to government, or freedom of information, dubbed the “Tour de FOI”
- Recipient, Freedom of Information Award, Arizona Newspapers Association, 2005, recognizing service to First Amendment Coalition of Arizona, as well as several awards from Arizona Press Club and Arizona Associated Press Managing Editors for excellence in journalism
