Sara Leslie Griffith
Temecula, California
Email:
saragriffith@pal2pal.com

 

OBJECTIVE

Executive/Administrative Assistant. Event/convention organizer. Internet Researcher. Account representative for Internet, display or classified advertising. Webmaster or assistant. Database manager.  Legal overflow.

PROFILE

Intelligent, personable, professional with extensive background in administration, event and fund raiser coordination and organization, inside and outside display and classified sales at both major daily and large bi-weekly newspapers. Experience creating websites using FrontPage and graphics programs. Excellent oral and written communications skills and computer skills; goal oriented; good rapport with fellow workers and executive personnel. Definitely a "people person" and excellent problem solver.

EXPERIENCE

 

2001 - Present

OWNER
Pal2Pal Enterprises and Squiggles Gift World
Murrieta, California

Established two Internet retail drop ship wholesale outlets for gifts, electronics, toys, sporting goods and household and garden decor. Created fully functioning web stores with over 3000 and 25,000 products respectively. Handle all aspects of this business from a fully equipped home office. Developed the product databases, designed the websites, and coordinate the sales, advertising and shipping.

1998 - Aug. 2004

Full time (24/7) caretaker for an elderly parent disabled by a massive stroke. Included learning physical therapy techniques, nursing, and dealing with the sad state of elder care. Unable to work outside the home during this period. Gained the equivalent of a college education in elder care.

1992 - 1998

Indianapolis, Indiana

Established a fully equipped home office and continued to do private campaign consulting work, including assisting with advertising campaigns and volunteer coordination for statewide congressional and senatorial campaigns in Maryland and Indiana, including a brief transitional period working with the former Vice President of the United States, Dan Quayle. Used the time to learn webpage and website development and developing presentation and storyboard sites for venture capitalist projects and web pages for friends, family and close associates. Researched and electronically compiled historical reference book and website on early Pennsylvania and Long Island, NY families. See: Griffith-L'Hommedieu-Young Genealogy website. (Returned to California to care for my disabled Mother.)

1989 - 1992

SYSTEMS ADMINISTRATOR
Bentley Re-Elect Committee, Inc.
Timonium, Maryland

Staff position in congressional campaign office. Compiled and maintained a large computer database, generated fund raising letters and contribution requests, F.E.C. financial reports, prospect lists, phone bank and canvassing lists, administered Novell network. Responsibility for organizing and overseeing fund raising activities and advertising campaigns. Involved in data conversions and development of custom campaign software as advisor to outside programmers. Also responsible for graphics and layout using computer desktop publishing for brochures, flyers, sample ballots and all camera ready advertising copy. (Husband transferred to Indianapolis, IN)

1988 - 1989

VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR
Baltimore, Maryland

Assistant to Maryland Executive Director in national political campaign. Compiled and computerized national and statewide volunteer databases, contributor reports, mailing lists, generated mass mailings and coordinated the work of the 1988-1989 Maryland Inaugural Committee for newly elected President George H.W. Bush. Worked with the "advance" teams in coordinating visits to Baltimore of Presidential and Vice Presidential candidates, prominent speakers and other elected officials.

1985 - 1986

ADVERTISING PRODUCTION, LAYOUT/DESIGN
Summerville Journal
Summerville, South Carolina

Bi-weekly newspaper. Responsible for display advertising from initial sales to final paste-up. Layout and typesetting using Compugraphic equipment, use of computerized stat camera, paste-up, screening, cut, some plate work. Also set some news copy and handled "Letters to the Editor." (Husband transferred to Baltimore, MD)

1981 - 1984

OFFICE MANAGER/GENERAL PARTNER
Copy Depot
San Diego, California

Started business with typewriter and desk space; built client lists through advertising promotions and direct solicitation into a full service commercial high speed copy and duplicating shop with graphic arts and secretarial support services. Prepared venture packages, manuscripts and training manuals, personal histories and autobiographies, business reports and letters, legal briefs and pleadings, and general office support services as well as production of camera ready artwork used in newspaper advertising, flyers, business cards, menus, texts, manuals, and "self-published" books. Also handled all personnel matters, payroll, accounts payable/receivable, inventory control and ordering, and equipment leasing. (Sold partnership interest when spouse was transferred to the East coast.)

1973 - 1982

CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING REPRESENTATIVE
Union Tribune Publishing Company
San Diego, California

Fast-paced, high pressure position at major daily newspaper requiring excellent phone skills, sales ability, patience and accuracy. Consistently 1 of the top 5 producers with the fewest write-offs; handled large contract territory with heavy emphasis on real estate and employment clients.

1971 - 1973

ADVERTISING REPRESENTATIVE
Home and Real Estate Directory
San Diego, California

Advertising sales for a home and real estate magazine, 4-color glossy format, published weekly. Primary clients were San Diego County real estate offices.

BACKGROUND

Palomar College - classes in supervision, personnel management, business administration and communications.

Numerous advertising sales seminars, computer, data processing and word processing classes; leadership training through various volunteer and social services organizations; certified genealogist with extensive research experience, particularly with land and probate records, spanning 30 years.

University Michigan - political science major (got married-no degree)

COMPUTER
SKILLS &
EQUIPMENT

EXPERT - end user and tech/maintenance
ADVANCED - web development and database design

  • WIN 95/98/2000/NT/XP/Win Enterprise Server Technology 
  • Microsoft Word (word processing)
  • Microsoft Excel (spreadsheet)
  • Microsoft Access (database)
  • Microsoft Front Page (web development software)
  • Microsoft Powerpoint (presentation software)
  • Internet Explorer
  • Corel Draw 7 and Photopaint
  • Word Perfect  (preferred word processing)
  • Various computer telephony programs
  • Various graphics and animation programs for web design and advertising layouts plus hundreds of thousands of clipart files on CD
  • Various computer communication programs (online since 1987)
  • Three computers networked as a home office.
  • HP Deskjet 812C color printer, Cannon Inkjet color printer, HP5P Laser Printer, HP-psc 750 printer/scanner/copier
  • Connection to high speed cable modem service plus additional 56k modem for traditional access and DSL wireless available
  • Two full page color scanners
  • Digital camera with USB connection for direct photo transfers
  • Two additional desktop computers that can be networked if needed.

PERSONAL

Enjoy travel, free to relocate or telecommute. Salary negotiable. No minor children or other encumbrances. Clean driving record and new vehicle (2004).