Michael J. Solender
2610 Sheffield Crescent Court
Charlotte, NC
28226
704-365-5639
704-365-5639 (O)
980-297-3693980-297-3693 (M)
Summary
Travel, arts, pop culture, business, and cityscape journalist and editor with more than 500 feature stories in regional and national publications. National publications include: Southern Living, Ocean Home, NASCAR Illustrated, American City Business Journals, The Jewish Daily Forward, and The Faster Times. Seasoned interviewer with strong research skills leading to exclusives with a Nobel Laureate, Oscar, Tony and Emmy award winning actors and playwrights, Grammy winning singers and senior political and business personalities. Regular columnist for print and online publications and, daily blogger. 25 years prior corporate human resources and corporate communications experience.
Education
University of Minnesota Minneapolis, MN
Master of Arts – Industrial Relations
Bachelor of Arts – Speech Communication
Professional Experience:
2/2008 – present The Charlotte Observer Charlotte, NC
Columnist & Features Writer (Freelance)
Responsible for column and feature stories for the number one print media outlet in the region, a daily publication read by over one million readers in print and online.
· Provide Neighborhoods column on deadline for Neighbors of the City and South Charlotte News regional Sunday editions.
· Identify, and research story ideas, source and write 600-1000 word stories. Provide art, photos.
· Identify, research, “pitch,” and write feature stories for various sections and Observer publications, including magazines. Feature publications have run in Faith, Carolina Living, Entertainment, CLT Weekend, SouthPark Magazine, University City Magazine and Lake Norman News.
2/2008 – present Freelance Writer Charlotte, NC
Feature articles covering theater, film, literary reviews, pop culture, food, travel, cityscape, celebrity interviews, opinion, satire and more.
Publications include: Charlotte Magazine, Creative Loafing, Southern Living, The Faster Times, The Jewish Daily Forward, Lake Norman Magazine, Minnesota Magazine, Nfocus Magazine, Ocean Home, Richmond Style Weekly, The Raleigh News & Observer, SouthPark Magazine, South Charlotte News, and The Viewspaper.
2/2008 – 3/2014 Charlotte Viewpoint Charlotte, NC
7/2011 – 3/2014 City Life Editor, About Town/Culture Picks Editor
Responsible for 50% of the content delivery 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.
2/2008 – 3/2014 Arts and Culture Contributor
· Features writer delivering film, theater, opera previews, reviews and commentary.
· Artist profiles and interviews.
· Arts and culture critique and commentary.
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 and others. Detailed experience listing available upon request.