Candidate for Executive Committee

Residence: Bexley, Ohio

Professional position: Editor, Mark Allen Editing

Years of membership: 3

Biography

Mark is a freelance editor and writer whose clients include Nationwide and the Department of Defense child development virtual laboratory school website. This spring he will be a copy-editing instructor. He has served on ACES’ headline and scholarship committees, organized the Phoenix conference freelancer forum and 5K run, served on the freelancers’ membership subcommittee, and written for the newsletter.

Mark seeks a first term on the board. With 20 years on the copy desk and three years as a freelancer, he has a strong sense of the issues facing copy editors, and has developed relationships with editors in many fields. He sees the advocacy role of ACES as more important than ever. Continued growth is needed and can bring more opportunities for education and support of research. He wants to see “ACES” considered a mark of quality with which freelancers and others will seek association.

ACES’ question to candidate

Board members must show a commitment to the organization’s goals, which center on better serving and increasing the  membership, and keeping ACES financially sound. Everyone’s skills and styles are different. Do you see yourself as stronger in developing ideas, or with putting ideas into action? Are you more comfortable working with a team, or handling a responsibility alone? And how will you organize things to commit the necessary time?

I’m active in ACES because I value what ACES does to promote our craft and support our members through education, networking and advocacy. Because ACES is a volunteer organization, we need board members who have a vision for furthering our goals and an eagerness to help do the work. Vision comes from knowledge. I have a background in newspaper copy editing and freelance editing in a variety of fields, and I keep an eye on issues and trends in editing every day. Being a freelance copy editor gives me an understanding of a growing segment of the ACES membership. Freelancing also gives me freedom to schedule my time to fit board duties. I like working with people who have a passion for the ACES mission, and I see collaboration as the best method for getting things done.

From the nomination form

How has the nominee contributed to ACES?

I am a cheerleader for ACES and a regular volunteer. I’ve served on the headline and scholarship committees, organized the Phoenix conference freelancer forum and the Phoenix 5K Run to the Dessert, served on the freelancers membership subcommittee, wrote for the newsletter and co-nominated the 2011 Robinson Prize winner.

What makes the nominee the best candidate for this position?

I strongly believe in the importance of what we do. With 20 years on the copy desk and three years now as a successful freelancer, I bring a strong sense of the breadth of issues facing copy editors, and I have developed relationships with editors in many fields.

If elected, what does the nominee envision for ACES during his or her tenure?

The advocacy role of ACES is more important than ever. That role will be strengthened by continued growth, which also can bring more opportunities for education and support of research. I’d like to see “ACES” considered a mark of quality that freelancers and others will seek association with.