A World of Stories

Resume

Simon Brooks

updated Oct 2005

Simon began storytelling in 1990, spinning yarns for school children and families when he worked for the Youth Hostel Association of England and Wales. He became a professional storyteller in 2003 after taking a position as children's librarian at the Latham Memorial and Peabody libraries in Thetford, VT. Simon also works for Valley Quest, a program of Vital Communities.

Simon has performed at the Big Splash Summer Festival, and

Education

YOUTH HOSTEL ASSOCIATION

Matlock, United Kingdom
Marketing & Management - City & Guilds, 1994
Youth Hostel Operations - City & Guilds, 1991

HEREFORDSHIRE COLLEGE OF ART & DESIGN Hereford, United Kingdom

Photography - City and Guilds, 1984

Experience

Current
Storyteller, Orford, New Hampshire Nov 2003 -present
Performed locally and in the United Kingdom. 2005 Big Splash (Connecticut River Water Festival, Wilder, VT), Upper Valley Events Center, numerous libraries and schools in Vermont and New Hampshire, and private parties.

Children's Librarian at Latham and Peabody Libraries, Thetford, VT Nov 2003 - present
Organizing children's activities, storytelling, as well as providing normal library assistance.
Valley Quest, Vital Communities, White River Junction, VT July, 2003 - present
Assistant to Valley Quest Coordinator. Working with outreach, programing, marketing, website, and future planning of Valley Quest Program. Member of Valley Quest Board.
Photographer
Working as art portrait photographer
Photography business clients: Vital Communities, Valley Quest, the BBC, Wedgewood Pottery, Lea and Perrin's, and Survival International. Catalog, architectural, still-life advertising, portrait, landscape, and location work.
Stay-at-home Dad, Orford, NH Nov 2001 - present
Included setting up and running playgroup and pre-K.

Previous Experience

MACROMEDIA INC., Newton, Massachusetts 2000- 2001

Customer Relations Specialist

Provide first level of electronic and phone support for Macromedia/Allaire customers for a wide variety of business issues. Interface with multiple departments within the company, including sales, OEM, training and technical support. Chair weekly departmental meetings and implement potential policies raised by the CR team.

Designed, developed and deployed internal Allaire Customer Relations website using ColdFusion
Played integral part of merging the Macromedia/Allaire Customer Relations Intranet and Internet web pages
Demonstrated Macromedia's award winning HTML editor, HomeSite, at Fall Internet World, October 2000
Chair weekly team meetings, instrumental in follow-up and pushing team initiatives
Utilize management skills in team lead function liaising between Customer Relations Representatives and management

WORLDCOM, Portland, Oregon/Waltham, Massachusetts 1995-2000

Account Relations Manager

Provided technical support and post-sale services to major commercial clients throughout the metropolitan Portland, Oregon and Boston areas. Analyzed customer needs and prepared sales and service-upgrade presentations describing WorldCom's Internet, data, broadcast fax, and conference call services. Served as technical consultant to customers, offering advice and assistance regarding technological developments.

Managed a customer base of 20 clients accounting for more than $4.5 million in annual revenue
Contributed on team designing and implementing internal training program for the ARM organization

BOYD'S COFFEE COMPANY/LE CHATEL CORPORATION, Portland, Oregon 1995

Manager

Supervised the daily operations of a large downtown coffee store averaging 300-400 customers daily. Scheduled and supervised staff; handled daily bookkeeping and generated financial reports on daily, weekly, and monthly basis.

YOUTH HOSTEL ASSOCIATION, Hastings, United Kingdom 1990-1994

Manager

Managed two hostels of 40 and 60 beds each, including all administrative and accounting duties. Hired and trained staff; supervised a team of six. Created print advertising to market hostel, employing knowledge of graphic design and photography. Purchased and maintained an inventory of catering and cleaning supplies. Managed the reservation system and compiled occupancy records.

Freelance Photographer/Photographer's Assistant

London, United Kingdom 1984-1990
Served as lead photographer or assistant for clients including the BBC, Wedgewood Pottery, Lea and Perrin's, and Survival International for catalog, architectural, still-life advertising, portrait, landscape, and location shoots. Determined clients' production needs; organized and ordered required equipment and supplies.

Activities and Interests

On top of photography, and storyteller and avid reader, also published poet, photographer and short-story writer, appearing in Portland's Anodyne, New England Writers and other publications
Involved in regional poetry forums
Enjoy hiking, bicycling, and kayaking