Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Languages
Awards
Affiliations
Training
Timeline
Generic

David A. Grout

Valatie,NY

Summary

Bilingual English/Russian language and communications professional with expertise in designing and leading team projects, producing high-quality writing and multimedia content under tight deadlines. Proven ability to coordinate with all management levels and develop strategies for effective internal and external communications. Committed to enhancing communication products and processes while promoting brand identity and increasing employee skills.

Overview

37
37
years of professional experience

Work History

Editor/translator

Baker & McKenzie
Moscow, Russia
11.2012 - 07.2025
  • Edited legal documents for clarity and consistency across multiple practice areas.
  • Reviewed and proofread client communications to ensure accuracy and professionalism.
  • Collaborated with attorneys to refine content in legal publications and newsletters.
  • Created and conducted English legal writing workshops and English language conversational practice groups.
  • Attended national translator conferences.
  • Extensive use of computer assisted translation programs (Trados, Memo-Q)
  • Simultaneous translation assignments.

Director, Communications and Outreach

United States Agency for International Development (USAID), Russia Mission
Moscow
01.2010 - 01.2012
  • Created and implemented country-level communications strategy
  • Responsible for internal and external Mission communications, coordination with USAID Washington headquarters and other sections of the Moscow Embassy
  • Handled press inquiries and interview requests
  • Coordinated communications efforts with a wide range of stakeholders and representatives of USAID/Russia partner organizations
  • Negotiated all branding and marking agreements with grantees
  • Developed internal policy guidance for 60 locally employed staff on all communications issues - media interaction, writing, web site content, fact sheets, social media
  • Edited a weekly report to the Ambassador covering more than 70 ongoing projects
  • Drafted and edited bilingual press releases, speeches, presentations, and blogs
  • Responsible for design and bilingual content of the mission web site, including migration to the new integrated Agency site
  • Supervised communications and outreach team
  • Planned official events and activities, and prepared briefing materials for visiting officials

Producer, Reporter, Director of Photography

CBS News, Inc.
Moscow
01.1995 - 01.2010
  • Produced and reported news stories for all CBS News broadcasts - CBS Evening News, Weekend News, CBS Sunday Morning, 60 Minutes, and CBS Radio
  • Traveled extensively throughout Russia, Eurasia, Central Asia, and the Middle East
  • Major stories included Russian presidential and Duma elections, international cooperation in space, the Chechen conflict, Beslan, the war in Afghanistan, Mother Teresa’s legacy
  • Organized field operations, coordinated satellite transmissions
  • Extensive professional experience with a wide range of television and still cameras

Video Editor/Sound Engineer

CBS News, Inc.
Moscow
01.1991 - 01.1995
  • Edited television stories for CBS News broadcasts
  • Handled full range of studio and field sound production
  • Designed an inventory system for archive of 5000+ video tapes

Teacher of English

House of Stankevich (Dom Stankevicha)
Moscow
01.1990 - 01.1991
  • Taught English as a second language at Moscow's first privately owned and operated language school

Franchise Owner/Manager

College Pro Painters
, Massachusetts
01.1989
  • Owned and managed a house painting company in Berkshire County, Massachusetts. Hired, trained, and managed three crews

Education

CELTA (Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) - English-as-a-Second-Language Education

Cambridge University
07-2010

B.A. - Russian and Soviet Studies

Harvard University
Cambridge, MA
06-1989

High school diploma -

Philips Exeter Academy
Exeter, NH
06-1985

Languages

English (native), Russian (fluent), Spanish (working knowledge)

Awards

2002 National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Special Recognition for Television Coverage of Afghanistan

Affiliations

  • Distance runner with eight marathons completed

Training

  • CELTA/Cambridge Certification as a Teacher of English as a Foreign Language, 2010
  • USAID Strategic Communications Training, 2011 and 2012

Timeline

Editor/translator

Baker & McKenzie
11.2012 - 07.2025

Director, Communications and Outreach

United States Agency for International Development (USAID), Russia Mission
01.2010 - 01.2012

Producer, Reporter, Director of Photography

CBS News, Inc.
01.1995 - 01.2010

Video Editor/Sound Engineer

CBS News, Inc.
01.1991 - 01.1995

Teacher of English

House of Stankevich (Dom Stankevicha)
01.1990 - 01.1991

Franchise Owner/Manager

College Pro Painters
01.1989

CELTA (Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) - English-as-a-Second-Language Education

Cambridge University

B.A. - Russian and Soviet Studies

Harvard University

High school diploma -

Philips Exeter Academy

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David A. Grout