Leslie V. Bennett 703-508-1319 (mobile) 703-508-1319 (home) bennettlesliev@gmail.com PROJECT MANAGER FOR GRAPHICS AND PRINT PRODUCTION Experienced project manager with expertise in marketing communications, corporate branding, retail packaging, and graphics and print production. Managed development of high quality printed materials, while meeting production deadlines and budget objectives. Ability to schedule and track multiple high-volume projects simultaneously. Firsthand knowledge of technology and terminology of graphics production and four-color printing. Outstanding interpersonal skills, developed by working with a variety of demanding corporate departments and outside vendors. Technical skills include: Macintosh and PC, including Microsoft Word and Excel, Filemaker Pro, Adobe Acrobat. Familiar with Quark Xpress, InDesign and Adobe Photoshop Knowledge of pre-press proofing systems and color management and retouching Image licensing requirements Fluent in Portuguese and French; working knowledge of Spanish PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE Capital Research and Management Company, Washington, DC/Los Angeles, one of the largest mutual funds and investment services companies in the U.S. Production Specialist and Senior Production Specialist, 1996 – 2009: Project manager and print buyer for high quality marketing materials to be used by financial advisers with their clients. Accomplishments: Developed accurate project schedules that successfully delivered 10-20 projects annually. Tracked jobs in house through writing, design, legal approvals and copy editing. Evaluated and approved color for optimum quality at pre-press and on-press approval. Proofread jobs for accuracy. Compiled printing specifications for my projects and solicited bids for printing and fulfillment services totaling between $300,000 and $500,000 annually. Participated in department’s annual bid to contract $2.5 million worth of printing. Collaborated with colleagues in developing best practices for department workflow. Negotiated discount agreements with stock image vendors that reduced the company’s licensing costs by up to 20%. Assisted in implementation of graphics for re-branding of corporate identity The Creative Machine. Falls Church, VA, a small design and communications agency (no longer in business). Production and Client Services Manager, 1995 – 1996: Project manager and account support contact for graphics and print production at a small privately owned advertising and communications company. Accomplishments: Researched new vendors and solicited bids for various services. Created job specifications form for obtaining competitive estimates for pre-press and printing. Developed formal project schedules for account managers to use with clients. Managed workflow between designers, writers and account managers. Established weekly production status meetings to better coordinate workflow for the company. Acted as client support contact for account managers with their clients, providing project status updates. Provided quality control in color proofing as well as proofreading of text for print projects. Leslie V. Bennett page 2 Safeway Inc., Walnut Creek, CA, a large national retail grocery. Package Design Coordinator, Private Label Products, 1989-1995: Primary point of contact between the Package Design Department and 5 in-house departments, as well as 15-20 outside vendors. Educated colleagues in graphics and printing processes. Accomplishments: Created scheduling and budget tracking procedures for a $4.5 million package re-design and re-branding program while managing graphics for ongoing maintenance and new item introductions for 2,600 - 3,000 items. Communicated daily with graphic designers, color separators and printers, which ensured project timeliness and accuracy. Mastered basic technical aspects of electronic layout and pre-press production. Successfully controlled print quality on press. Shaklee Corporation, San Francisco, CA, a manufacturer and distributor of environmentally friendly household products and nutrition and weight management products. Print Production Coordinator, 1988-1989: Scheduled and tracked graphics development from concept to printing. Bid projects and made vendor decisions. Accomplishments: Ensured best cost and timely delivery for sales materials. Expedited all in-house approvals for the department, which maintained production schedule and resulted in timely shipment of final art to vendors. Del Monte Corporation, San Francisco, CA, a nationally known manufacturer of retail grocery products. Packaging Coordinator, 1982-1987: Managed graphics development for international and domestic packaging. Mastered strong technical knowledge of graphics production and printing. Communicated project information both to in-house departments and to outside vendors. Coordinated package development through design, legal, quality control, photo shoots, color separations and press approvals. Worked with outside design firms in implementing major re-branding of corporate identity in package designs. Provided cost estimates and controlled expenditures, which controlled project expenses within budget objectives. Achieved outstanding accuracy and print quality in finished packaging. EDUCATION & TRAINING BA in Management at Saint Mary's College, Moraga, CA - 1983 Majored in French at UC Berkeley and University of Bordeaux, France. Technical courses: Semester Course: "Printing Procedures" at San Francisco City College. Seminars: "Guide to Graphics" at UC Santa Cruz Extension "Prepress Color Workshop" at Cal Poly "Negotiating Skills" - Karass "Managing Multiple Priorities" - D & B AFFILIATIONS Printing Industries of Northern California (PINC), Advertising Production Association of Los Angeles (APALA)