By Bethany Aguad
I have some exciting updates and opportunities to share with you as we transition into summer. Your participation is vital in shaping the future of our chapter, so please take a moment to read through these announcements and get involved! Thank you for your continued support and engagement with STC Florida!
STC Florida Chapter Elections 2024 – Voting Now Open!
We are thrilled to announce that the chapter elections for 2024 are officially open! Your voice is crucial in determining the direction of our community.
Voting Process:
- Dates: June 20 to July 20, 2024
- Eligibility: All chapter members in good standing and student members can vote.
- How to Vote: If you are a chapter member, you should have received an email with a link to access your online ballot, including voting instructions.
Important Details:
- Voting Period: Open from June 20 to July 20, 2024. You can cast your vote anytime during this period.
- Voting Closure: The voting period will close at midnight on July 20, 202, and the Election Budd system will automatically lock the voting process.
Results Announcement:
- The Tellers Committee chair will announce the elected AdCo directors following the election period.
- Results will be communicated to the Society and posted on the Chapter’s website.
Your vote is confidential and cannot be accessed by the administrator. Make your voice heard and help us shape the future of STC Florida!
Candidates Bios
Julia Southwick
Julia Southwick currently works at JHT – A Precise Systems Company as a Technical Writer. Julia embraces her role as a neurodivergent technical communicator, advocating for inclusive communication in her community and the profession. In her time with the STC Florida chapter, Julia has served as the chair of the communication committee, editor of the Memo to Members newsletter, co-chair of the 2021-2022 chapter mentoring program, and the chapter Vice President. Julia is a graduate of UCF’s technical communication program class of 2019.
John Clement
John Clement is a technical writer at L3Harris Technologies, a volunteer throughout STC, and a recent graduate of the University of Central Florida. He has been a professional technical communicator since graduating in 2022, and at L3Harris, he works on editing, writing, and reviewing technical documentation in the defense industry. In STC, he serves as the current Secretary of the Florida Chapter, Student Outreach Director of the Community Affairs Committee (CAC), and as an alum volunteer and Past President of the Future Technical Communicators club at UCF. He is passionate about program planning, community building, mentorship, and developing new leaders–each thing he is grateful to have benefited from through STC Florida.
Rachael Swertfeger
Rachael Swertfeger currently works as a technical writer at Sagent. Her current role has her focusing on Release Notes and supporting the MadCap software and team templates. Previous positions have included contract and permanent work for Lockheed Martin as a technical writer, knowledge base administration and technical writing work at Optum in the healthcare industry, and even a brief stint in education at a local non-profit providing after-school programs for students. After graduating from UCF in 2011, she went right into her career with a jump start at Lockheed Martin, first as a contractor and then being hired full-time. Her volunteerism has included helping in the after-school programs prior to being permanently hired, and being a mentor for students through STC and FTC. She lives in Ocoee with her husband, toddler, and her newest addition, Maeve, the chocolate lab puppy.
Dominick Chiovari
Dominick Chiovari hails from central Florida and graduated with his bachelor’s in Technical Communication from UCF in 2023. Since 2022, he has been a member of Future Technical Communicators @ UCF, joining its leadership as a student and continuing to be involved as an alumnus. During that time, he wrote newsletters, designed graphics, and attended many events devoted to teaching people about the field.
In 2023, Dominick joined STC and became a mentee to Rachael Swertfeger, and with her guidance, he authored SCP RPG: Stranded With Sleep Killers, a colorful and detailed D&D-inspired game manual based on the SCP internet writing community. Later that year, he attended his first Summit in 2023 with several other FTC students. In 2024, he returned to the Summit in Minneapolis to meet some new and familiar faces. Recently, he revised STC Florida’s Policies and Procedures.
Dominick would like to thank individuals like Rachael, John Clement, and Bethany Aguad for helping him grow in confidence and providing opportunities to learn and contribute to FTC and STC. In his free time, he learns at least one new thing every day, whether mastering an authoring tool, learning a programming language, or strengthening connections. Otherwise, you can find him illustrating characters, hiking in the woods, learning foreign languages, or baking bread.
W.C. Wiese
WC has 45 years of experience in aerospace marketing support and program communications, retiring as Communications Manager for a unique joint venture company formed by Lockheed Martin with German and Italian defense contractors. A member of STC for over 30 years, WC is an STC Fellow and has served as STC Treasurer and Director at Large. He previously served as President of STC’s Orlando Chapter following a 5-year tenure as chapter treasurer. He has presented at 13 STC Summits. Recognitions include an STC Jaffe Outstanding Technical Communicator Award, two Lockheed Martin Comet Awards, a PR News Platinum Award, and multiple awards in the Florida Technical Communication Competition.
Help Us Choose the Date for the 2024 STC Florida Leadership Retreat!
Are you looking to develop your leadership skills and make a difference in the STC Florida community? If so, you want to attend our annual Leadership Retreat!
Event Highlights:
- Learn from Experienced Leaders: Gain insights and advice from seasoned professionals.
- Network with Community Members: Connect with other STC Florida members and volunteers.
- Brainstorm New Ideas: Collaborate on innovative projects and initiatives.
- Develop Your Leadership Skills: Enhance your abilities to lead and inspire within our chapter.
This free event is open to all STC Florida members and volunteers interested in taking on a leadership role. We are currently deciding on the retreat’s date and time and need your input.
Please complete our poll to let us know your availability. This event will be hybrid, with options to attend in person in Orlando, most likely on or near the UCF campus and online via Zoom.
Help us choose the best date for this valuable event. Complete the poll now, and we’ll confirm the date and time shortly. We hope to see you there!