This is a resume, curriculum vitae, or something similar. It’s a basic overview of what I’ve been up to for the past 14 years or so.

Download a pdf version here.

Chris Vadnais

Broadcast Production | Motion Effects | Graphic Design | Technical Writing
chrisvadnais [at] mac.com
www.chrisvadnais.com

Profile

Chris Vadnais is a mentor, teacher, published author, and award-winning broadcast producer who enlisted in the US Air Force in 1993 as a weapons technician. After three years at F.E. Warren AFB, Wyoming, he attended the Defense Information School at Fort George G. Meade, MD, and became a broadcast journalist. Since then, he has told the Air Force story around the globe. In 2003 he led the first team of Air Force broadcast journalists into Iraq, and in October 2006 he returned for a six month tour. He is the author of two technical books and the producer of three instructional DVD courses. He continues to forge new paths as a teacher, mentor, trainer and producer.

Experience

October 2005 - present
Multimedia News Producer, PACOM News Bureau, Hickam Air Force Base, HI

Coordinates and provides broadcast coverage of news events for U.S. Pacific Command, Pacific Air Forces, Marine Forces Pacific, and Pacific Fleet Public Affairs offices. Develops command information campaigns and strategic communication plans based on the needs of the respective military organization. Produces television news stories for air worldwide on the Pentagon Channel, Pacific Report, and Around the Air Force.

March 2005 - October 2005
Training Manager, AFN Aviano, Aviano Air Base Italy

Responsible for the training and professional development of 17 military members assigned to AFN Aviano. Developed training plans, maintained training records, and oversaw all aspects of unit training. Hand selected for the position by the Chief of U.S. Air Force Broadcasting.

October 2001 - March 2005
Section Supervisor, AFN Aviano, Aviano Air Base, Italy

Responsible to Operations Manager for the daily supervision of television and/or radio section operations. Served as both News Director and radio station Program Director. Directly supervised up to four Airmen.

October 1997 - October 2001
Broadcast Producer, AFN Incirlik, Incirlik Air Base, Turkey

Responsible to Operations Manager and Section Supervisor for the production of daily television and radio newscasts and live radio programs.

Education

Master of Arts in Communications (Advertising and Public Relations)
Ellis College at New York Institute of Technology, May 2008

Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies
Ellis College at New York Institute of Technology, May 2006

Skills

Excellent grasp of public relations concepts and principles of strategic communication. Excellent, proven skills in building and maintaining relationships with the media. Excellent verbal and written language skills. Ability to spot and develop big story ideas and to design and execute media relations campaigns. Outstanding writing and editing skills. Polished public speaking and strong media interview skills.

Demonstrated flexibility to work across corporate organizations, groups, geographies, and levels to achieve communication goals. Experience launching products and initiatives. Demonstrated ability to set, shift, and maintain priorities. High degree of accuracy and attention to detail.

Ability to thrive in a self-supervised environment. Decisive.

Technical expert in nearly every aspect of media production software and hardware.

Software specialist; unparalleled knowledge and experience with Boris RED, FX, and Graffiti; “Power User” of Adobe Photoshop and After Effects; and familiar with Apple Motion and Shake applications. Extensively practiced with several non-linear editing programs including Avid Media Composer, Xpress, and Xpress DV, Apple Final Cut Pro, and Sony Vegas. Serves as a technical consultant to Adobe, Sony, and Boris FX with regard to software design and development.

Expert in website development and rich / interactive media, including content creation using Flash, Dreamweaver, and Fireworks. Expertise in media compression and distribution with focus on MPEG for broadcast & DVD creation as well as streaming Internet media. Proficient with Microsoft Windows and Mac OSX.

Talented, prolific trainer with numerous online tutorials and published works as testament. Extremely quick learner and exceptionally fast producer. Effortless, expert public speaker; delivered introductory speeches on live worldwide television on two separate occasions for Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld and Vice President Dick Cheney.

Significant Awards

Secretary of the Air Force for Public Affairs (SAF/PA) Broadcast Journalist of the Year, 2003
Department of Defense Thomas Jefferson Media Award, 2003
Air Force News Agency Broadcast Non-Commissioned Officer of the Year, 2004

Published Works

Instant Boris Effects, CMP Books, Nov 2004 (ISBN 1578202620)
Broadcast Graphics on the Spot, CMP Books, Sept 2005 (ISBN 1578202736)
Boris Basics, Tips, & Tricks, Class on Demand DVD program, April 2004
Photoshop CS Fast Track, Class on Demand DVD program, Feb 2005
After Effects for Beginners, Class on Demand DVD program, July 2006