Michael J. Solender
704.365.5639
SUMMARY
Business, travel, and pop culture journalist with more than 1000 feature stories in regional and national publications. Editor and custom content creator for corporate clients. Publications include: The New York Times, Smithsonian Magazine, InsideHook, Metropolis Magazine, Salvation South, Southern Living, Ocean Home Magazine, NASCAR Illustrated, American City Business Journals, Business North Carolina, The Jewish Daily Forward, Travelife Canada, PGA Golf Magazine, and PlanetWare. Twenty-five years prior corporate human resources and corporate communications experience.
EDUCATION
UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA Minneapolis, Minn.
Master of Arts – Industrial Relations
Bachelor of Arts – Speech Communication
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE:
2/2008 – present Freelance Writer, Custom Content Creator
Feature articles covering travel, food and wine, and pop culture.
Publications include: The New York Times, Smithsonian Magazine, Southern Living, Ocean Home Magazine, American City Business Journals, Business North Carolina, NASCAR Illustrated, Ballantyne Magazine, Carolina Bride, Carolinas Golf, Charlotte Observer, Charlotte magazine, Connect Magazines, Creative Loafing, DC Refined, Greater CharlotteBiz, The Faster Times, The Jewish Daily Forward, Lake Norman Magazine, Minnesota Magazine, Nfocus Magazine, PGA Golf Magazine, Richmond Style Weekly, The Raleigh News & Observer, TravelifeCanada, SouthPark Magazine, South Charlotte News, and Planetware.
Custom content and communications developed for the Arts & Science Council, Duke Energy, HSBC Financial, Wells Fargo, The UPS Stores, ADT Security, Charlotte Regional Partnership, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Blumenthal Performing Arts, Classic Graphics, and others.
10/2016 – 11/2017 Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority – Copy Editor
Freelance copy editor and contributor for “Charlotte’s got a blog,” a top regional entertainment, event, retail, restaurant and attraction guide. Review and edit stories for publication. Ensure posts maintain integrity with CRVA style, tone and accessibility. Write sponsored/custom content posts supporting CRVA members/advertisers.
Contributor to CRVA Annual Visitors Guide and monthly “Charlotte Happenings” print magazine and website.
2/2008 – 3/2014 Charlotte Viewpoint – City Life Editor, About Town/Culture Picks Editor
Responsible for 50 percent of the content delivery for this nonprofit online arts, culture, and civic magazine. Curate weekly cultural picks and maintain external relationship with arts community. Manage 30 + freelance writers, review and edit copy, make assignments and write editorials/essays.
About Town/Culture Picks Editor: Curate weekly selection of visual, performing, literary arts activities and provide synopsis of events.
City Life Editor: Provide twice weekly content in form of essay, interview or opinion piece. Cultivate community relationships for stories that span across public, private sectors and touch on all that informs the “sense of place” for the region.
Recruit, retain and manage stable of freelance writers. Make assignments, provide resources and direction. Maintain publication standards.
Review and edit all copy.
1994 – 2007 Corporate Human Resources/Organizational Development Professional
Corporate HR and OD for Fortune 1000 firms including: Taco Bell Corporation, Family Dollar Stores, Harris Corporation, Pioneer Electronics, Mitsui & Co., and others.