Linda Persigehl
Bennington,NE
Summary
Goal-oriented Senior Editor with many years of experience. Successful at envisioning big-picture objectives and accomplishing goals day-to-day improvement of details and meticulous scrutinization of organizational systems. Manages a team while editing and writing copy.
Overview
28
28
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior Editor
Omaha Publications
Omaha, NE
08.2019 - 08.2023
- Assisted Managing Editor with story ideation and research, vetting stories and sources, assigning work to freelancers, editing copy, and proofreading Omaha Magazine and B2B magazine.
- Served as primary editor of Omaha HOME magazine, finding all home projects and profile subjects, assigning stories to freelancers, writing features, editing copy, and proofreading.
- Coordinated a quarterly custom publication for ONYX Automotive, assisting with story ideation, feature writing, and editing.
Retail Sales Associate
Pier 1 Imports
Omaha, NE
11.2014 - 11.2019
- Assisted customers with selecting and ordering custom furniture, creating table displays, and other interior design needs.
- POS register ringing and cash handling.
- Merchandised new stock per corporate planner.
- Met daily store goals for sales, loyalty program signups, Pier 1 Rewards credit card applications.
- General customer service at one of the top performing stores in the Midwest.
Managing Editor
Omaha Publications
Omaha, NE
11.2011 - 08.2013
- Led monthly editorial meetings of sales, design, and writing staff (12-15 people), brainstorming story ideas, cover photos, magazine themes, and new sections for Omaha Magazine, Her Family, B2B Omaha, and Encounter magazines.
- Managed two assistant editors and a team of 20+ freelance writers, providing assignments, editorial feedback, and troubleshooting; handled freelance invoices for bookkeeping.
- Sought out and mentored college interns at O Pubs each term.
- Collaborated with graphic designers and photographers to ensure magazine photos, art, and story layout would best serve editorial goals.
- Represented the magazines at Buy the Big O Show, Omaha Home Show, and Nebraska Balloon and Wine Festival.
- Pitched features to prospective story subjects.
- During my tenure, Omaha Magazine grew from 80-90 pages/issue to 200-220 pages. It also won 'Best Magazine Cover' and 'Best Print Feature Story' honors at the 2013 Omaha Press Club Awards.
- Collaborated with teams from Tri-Faith Initiative and The International Omaha horse show on special programs designed to promote those organizations.
- Identified opportunities for improvement within the editorial process.
Assistant Editor/Writer
Omaha Publications
Omaha, NE
04.2008 - 10.2011
- Researched stories by phone and online to find background and contact info for sources; interviewed sources, typically in-person; sent photo directions to staff photographer on best ways to illustrate stories.
- Wrote 3-5 feature stories/week; wrote short business profiles for advertorials and organization profiles for nonprofits for our annual 'Big Give' issue; helped conceptualize this section in 2008.
- Edited freelance work for content, accuracy, and grammar, per AP Stylebook guidelines; wrote captions, headlines, and subheads for stories; reviewed final proofs before press time.
Retail Sales Associate
Ann Taylor LOFT
Omaha, NE
10.2006 - 10.2009
- Assisted customers with choosing business and casual apparel per their needs; helped upsell with add-on pieces, accessories; provided high-value customer service to help build store, brand loyalty.
- Managed fitting room, implementing theft prevention methods.
- POS register ringing and cash handling; helped meet daily credit card application goals for the store.
- Restocked inventory as needed; assisted with new merchandise store sets.
Editorial Assistant/Freelance Writer
Midlands Business Journal
Omaha, NE
12.2001 - 08.2005
- Reviewed press releases, other news publications, and websites to research business feature stories, special section topics for MBJ, Omaha's only weekly business newspaper.
- Composed story assignments, found business interview sources for other MBJ freelance writers.
- Interviewed Omaha/Council Bluffs business owners, government and chamber officials by phone and email.
Advertising Sales Consultant
Midlands Business Journal
Omaha, NE
11.1997 - 03.2001
- Met and often exceeded monthly advertising sales goals for Omaha Business Journal, a monthly MBJ supplement; coordinated new special sections promoting Omaha business neighborhoods for OBJ, generating added revenue.
- Assisted business clients with print advertising design/layout and copywriting for their ads.
- Maintained a database of Midlands businesses; created lists for advertising mailings; wrote marketing pieces aimed at both prospective and repeat advertisers.
- Represented MBJ at local trade shows, including Nebraska Products Show and Buy the Big O Show, in our show booth, on local radio, and circulating on the show floor.
Staff Writer/Reporter
Midlands Business Journal
Omaha, NE
01.1996 - 10.1997
- Interviewed Omaha, Council Bluffs, and Lincoln executives, small business owners, and community leaders via phone, email, and in person for features, and topical stories in Midlands Business Journal, Lincoln Business Journal, Omaha Business Journal, and Central States Industrial Journal.
- Wrote 6-8 business features and topical stories weekly for four MBJ publications.
- Covered community business events, including Chamber of Commerce awards, new business ribbon-cutting ceremonies, etc., some of these after hours.
- Served as primary photographer for my MBJ feature stories; traveled about town photographing new construction sites; took headshots of story subjects as needed.
Education
Bachelor of Arts in Journalism - Minors: English, Communications, Political Science
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
05.1992
Skills
- Microsoft Office
- Database management
- Copywriting
- Deadline-driven
- Advanced Copyediting
- Community Relations
- Fact-checking expertise
- Content Curation
- Associated Press Style
Volunteer work
- Omaha Community Playhouse - costume dresser for several theater productions (2019-2024).
- Pine Creek Homeowners' Assoc. (Bennington, NE) - Community events coordinator (2013-2018) Coordinated and volunteered at Easter event, Independence Day parade & party, and Fall Festival.
- Bennington High School Booster Club - Concessions coordinator, Board Secretary (2013-2019) Manned concessions booths at home sporting events; helped with recruiting staff for concessions; clothing sales; and developed booster scholarship program.
- Girl Scouts, Great Plains Council - Troop Co-leader, 7 years (2004-2011) Coordinated monthly meeting and educational events; accompanied girls on camping trips and day trips to food pantry, shelters, and nature events.
- Pine Creek Elementary PTO (Bennington, NE) - Volunteer (2009-2013) Assisted with fundraising events, teacher appreciation days, and classroom parties.
- Rejoice Lutheran Church (Omaha, NE) - Nursery care provider (2012-2016)
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Senior Editor
Omaha Publications
08.2019 - 08.2023
Retail Sales Associate
Pier 1 Imports
11.2014 - 11.2019
Managing Editor
Omaha Publications
11.2011 - 08.2013
Assistant Editor/Writer
Omaha Publications
04.2008 - 10.2011
Retail Sales Associate
Ann Taylor LOFT
10.2006 - 10.2009
Editorial Assistant/Freelance Writer
Midlands Business Journal
12.2001 - 08.2005
Advertising Sales Consultant
Midlands Business Journal
11.1997 - 03.2001
Staff Writer/Reporter
Midlands Business Journal
01.1996 - 10.1997
Bachelor of Arts in Journalism - Minors: English, Communications, Political Science
University of Nebraska-Lincoln