Position: Executive Committee member (two-year term)

Candidate

Regina McDowell

Title: Technical Editor

At: U.S. Department of Defense, Washington
Day-to-day activities: Managing daily production, mentoring and training junior analysts and editors, and editing intelligence reports that support our nation’s war fighters and defense planners.

How has the nominee contributed to ACES?
Regina volunteered as a panelist at the New Orleans conference in 2012. She shared her federal government editing experiences, and was host of the luncheon for federal government editors and editors who were interested in working for the federal government.

What makes the nominee the best candidate for this position?
Regina’s experience has prepared her to embrace ACES’ mission and its commitment to communication excellence.

If elected, what does the nominee envision for ACES during his or her tenure?
I envision ACES evolving with the synergy and diligence needed to handle the organization’s business and continued growth. I would work to make ACES’ traditions and its shared integrity of communications excellence contagious.

This year, for the first time, none of the board candidates is currently working in newspapers or magazines, and the new board will have a majority from outside of newsrooms. How can ACES keep its credibility as a journalistic organization as well as its increasingly important role as a resource and advocate for copy editors who do not work in news? Indeed, should it?

ACES will maintain its credibility if the new board, though from diverse editing backgrounds other than newsrooms and magazines, works toward the society’s mission to support the advancement of copy editors through training and advocacy that promotes the editing profession. ACES new board should advocate for all copy editors whether they work in newsrooms or magazines, or in marketing and public relations firms, private employers, or government agencies.  As a technical editor for the federal government, I have embraced the society’s mission to support and empower copy editors through trusted training forums that help them improve their skills.  If elected to the ACES board, I will work closely and in cooperation with the president, executive officers, and fellow board members to oversee the business of the organization. I will adhere to ACES code of ethics, attend meetings and participate in society events and activities.