Bio

biohead.gif (2014 bytes)

[ Up ] [ Services ] [ Features ] [ Union Pacific ] [ Advertising ] [ Contact ] [ Bio ]

The resume pretty much covers it, however there's more to the story than meets the eye.

Tim spent the first seven years of his career as an independent freelance writer, working as a journalist for a number of Omaha-based publications, and as a corporate professional for companies including Union Pacific, ConAgra, University of Nebraska at Omaha and Creighton University. He became known as the top profile writer in the city, thanks to feature stories on Herman Cain, Chuck Hagel, Tom and Nancy Osborne and Tom Siekmann, among others.

When Union Pacific offered him a full-time opportunity to transform their print-based communications department into a daily electronic communications environment, he agreed, and has since changed the way that company communicates to its employees.

The Resume

Tim McMahan

Education: University of Nebraska at Omaha, BS 1988 * Major: Journalism

Professional Experience: Union Pacific Railroad, Senior Manager-Media Technology, February 2001 to present. Managing Editor - UP Online, November 1995 - February 2001. Freelance Writer/Editor, May 1988 to November 1995.

Current Responsibilities: Manages internal and external Union Pacific Web content.
-- Oversees all content, graphics, organization and strategy for UP's public Web site (UP.com) and employee Intranet Web site.
-- Manages staff of designers, Web editor and information architect employed in UP's Corporate Relations Department.
-- Coordinates cross-functional, multi-department team responsible for specific departmental Web strategies.
-- Oversees implementation of new Web-based technology, including a roll-out of the Interwoven Web content management system.

As managing editor of UP Online, was responsible for developing, writing and editing, a daily electronic employee newsletter distributed via the UP Intranet, secured Internet, Lotus Notes and mainframe administrative message system. The 6- to 8-page newsletter included breaking company and rail industry news. Managed two contributing editors. UP Online became Union Pacific's primary communication vehicle to its 53,000 employees scattered throughout the western United States. It was named "Best Electronic Newsletter" in 1997, '99 and 2000 by the Association of Railway Communicators -- the nation's oldest industry association.

Other responsibilities at Union Pacific:

Associate editor/reporter, Info, a bi-monthly 4-color employee magazine. Involves writing and developing long-form feature articles about railroad operations and employees, as well as coordinating support photography. Articles named "Best Feature" in 1997 and 2000 by Association of Railway Communicators.
Developed numerous newsletters and communication strategies for various departments.
Wrote / developed Union Pacific's "Comin' Back" ad campaign, which ran nationally in more than 30 newspaper markets in December '97 and January '98.

Additional Professional Experience

Training: Part-time instructor -- University of Nebraska at Omaha. Jan.-Dec. '97. Class: News Editing. Job required creating a curriculum for teaching basics of newspaper editing, with emphasis on Associated Press style, grammar, story structure, ledes, headlines/cutlines, libel law, ethics and publication design. In formal student evaluations conducted by the university, earned high marks for quality of instruction.

Freelance Writing: Has written feature stories and reviews for several Omaha-based publications, including:

The Reader -- Omaha-based weekly arts and entertainment newspaper. Senior editorial contributor and columnist since 2005.

Lazy-i -- Leading Web-based indie music e-zine, accessed by 50,000 readers per month.

Lifestyles -- Bi-monthly 4-color features magazine.

Nebraska Sports -- a bi-monthly 4-color sports magazine.

UNO Alum -- Publication for the University of Nebraska Alumni Association.

Window -- Quarterly 4-color magazine for Creighton University, Omaha.

Consulting: Served as chief consultant in the creation of Lifestyles, Nebraska Sports, The Reader, and The Note, a Lawrence, Kansas, music monthly. Developed publications' editorial focus and content.

References available upon request.