Todd Gutmann

I recieved an Automotive Technology A.A.S. from SUNY Canton in 2004, and a Professional Writing B.A. from SUNY Cortland in 2008.

At SUNY Canton, I wrote two technical manuals, one each for the laboratory-sections of my Automotive Transmissions and Internal Combustion Engines courses. These two technical manuals (laboratory folders) were my first technical writing (and technical drawing) experience. Notable sections of my Automatic Transmissions Laboratory Folder include a physical and functional description of a oil pump removal tool, and a technical drawing of the oil pump removal tool. Similarly, sections of my Internal Combustion Engines Laboratory Folder include valve-reconditioning instructions (grinding valve face angle; grinding valve tip; cutting valve guide hole; grinding valve seat; cutting valve seat), as well as technical drawings of special tools (small hole guage; valve guide drill bit and reamer bit; valve seat cutter).

As part of SUNY Cortland's Professional Writing degree, I completed a summer 2006 internship with the Lake Placid News - the weekly paper of my hometown. There, I wrote feature articles for the People Around the Park series about local townspeople and their interesting and unique hobbies. My features were both personally-engaging as well as technically-informative. Additionally, I attended staff meetings, during which the newspaper editor reviewed my work, and provided helpful editing advice.

It is my Lake Placid News internship which shaped my writing. Through that experience, I realized that I had a unique niche - writing that was both personally-engaging and technically informative. It is this experience and focus that I bring, as a professional writer, to Elance.