Resume

2001-Present

Freelance Arabic<>English Translator, Editor, Copywriter, Transcreator, and Cultural Advisor
Multiple locations

2021-2023

Lead Linguist
Mile Two
Dayton, Ohio

Senior linguist/language analyst on a long-term Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) Human Language Technology development project​

• Created and maintained standards for human translation, transcription, post-MT editing, and language analysis.

• Trained, managed, and mentored linguists on AFRL and third-party MT, TM, CAT, OCR, transcription, and other software, technology, and best practices.

• Created and supervised the creation of corpora, glossaries, training materials, and other resources.

• Created and supervised the creation of reference transcriptions and translations for machine learning.

• Selected materials and compared processing output across the customer’s and competing systems.

• Advised on the functionality requirements of analysts and linguists for workflows and UX/UI.

​

2018-2021

Senior Linguist

Northrop Grumman

Dayton, Ohio

Senior linguist/language analyst on a long-term Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) Human Language Technology development project

• Created and maintained standards for human translation, transcription, post-MT editing, and language analysis.

• Trained and mentored fellow linguists on AFRL and third-party MT, TM, CAT, OCR, transcription, and other software, technology, and best practices.

• Created and supervised the creation of corpora, glossaries, training materials, and other resources.

• Created and supervised the creation of reference transcriptions and translations for machine learning.

• Selected materials and compared processing output across the customer’s and competing systems.

​

2013-2018

Senior Communications Analyst

CSRA

Dayton, Ohio

Senior linguist/language analyst on a long-term Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) Human Language Technology development project

• Created and maintained standards for human translation, transcription, post-MT editing, and language analysis.

• Trained and mentored fellow linguists on AFRL and third-party MT, TM, CAT, OCR, transcription, and other software, technology, and best practices.

• Created and supervised the creation of corpora, glossaries, training materials, and other resources.

• Created and supervised the creation of reference transcriptions and translations for machine learning.

• Selected materials and compared processing output across the customer’s and competing systems.

​

2011-2013

Lead Linguist, Course Designer, and Technical Writer

Leidos

Dayton, Ohio

Senior Arabic translator on a two-year, multimillion-dollar program for the development of training courses for the Iraqi security forces (ISF). Middle East and Iraqi Military SME. Designed, developed, translated into Arabic, edited, recorded, and presented 16 courses on logistics, project management, and financial management for the Air Force Institute of Technology at Wright-Patterson AFB for use by the Office of Security Cooperation-Iraq in training the Iraqi Security forces.

• Set translation standards and standard terminology and edited the courses.

• Developed and presented a flag officer-level seminar and assisted in the development of 15 courses.

• Creative and cultural director for the entire team of more than 20 people.

• Solved issues caused by change of scope: program required a rapid shift to the creation of multimedia courses instead of courses presented by SMEs in Iraq. This required the development of a broad range of solutions including: identifying, learning, and providing training on Arabic language graphics and multimedia software; training the graphics team on using Arabic in graphic design; training linguists on studio-quality voice recording and audio editing; recruiting, training, management, and leading the cultural and language team of six persons; and identifying and applying the appropriate practices to complete the project under budget.

​

2009-2011

Senior Cultural and Political Advisor

Makeen Tech

Baghdad, Iraq

Advised, briefed, and provided all-source intelligence research and analysis to the commanding general and staff of US forces in Baghdad on culture, politics, counterinsurgency, PsyOp/MISO, Civil Affairs, Information Operations, and training the Iraqi Security Forces. Was also in-country contract manager. 

• Performed all source and PAI intelligence research and analysis and briefed the commanding general and senior staff with a focus on political, tribal, cultural, and insurgent groups, persons, and issues.

• Translated technical and daily, weekly, monthly, and ad-hoc intelligence reports for the command group.

• Developed talking points and wrote speeches and letters for the Commanding Generals and senior staff.

• Attended and advised at engagements with senior Iraqi tribal and political leaders.

​

2007-2009

Research Scientist

Battelle Memorial Institute

Columbus, Ohio

Middle East political, religious, and social groups subject matter expert SME, lead analyst on team for web-based counterterrorism program

• Led team of 6 analysts and translators on web-based counter-terrorism project for DoD client.

• Researched Arabic and English PAI sources and wrote reports on the military and technical capabilities of countries of interest.

• Wrote profiles of high-profile individuals of interest.

• Translated technical documents.

• Participated in two multimillion-dollar in-house projects aimed at anticipating terrorist threats as a researcher, analyst, and translator.

​

2004-2006

Senior Cultural and Political Advisor

Makeen Tech

Baghdad, Iraq

Advised, briefed, and provided all-source intelligence research and analysis to the commanding general and staff of US forces in Baghdad on culture, politics, counterinsurgency, PsyOp/MISO, Civil Affairs, Information Operations, and training the Iraqi Security Forces. Was also in-country contract manager. 

• Performed all source and PAI intelligence research and analysis and briefed the commanding general and senior staff with a focus on political, tribal, cultural, and insurgent groups, persons, and issues.

• Translated technical and daily, weekly, monthly, and ad-hoc intelligence reports for the command group.

• Developed talking points and wrote speeches and letters for the Commanding Generals and senior staff.

• Attended and advised at engagements with senior Iraqi tribal and political leaders.

​

2003-2004

Senior Principal Linguist

STG

Reston, Virginia

• Trained 40+ Arabic translators to work in the field in Iraq and Qatar with US forces on translation and transliteration standards, practices, and vocabulary.

• Supervised translators, handed out assignments, and edited translations.

• Translated high-priority documents and videos for high-ranking US DoD officials and the White House.

• Compiled, wrote, and designed the Arabic Linguist’s Iraqi Freedom Handbook (ALIF), which became the standard guidebook for DoD translators in the field. 

​

2002

Senior Contract Linguist

Allworld Language Consultants

Bahrain

• Translated and interpreted at senior engagements for the 384th and 319th Air Expeditionary Wings. 

• Translated and interpreted as needed for USAF Security Forces.

• Developed and taught cultural awareness programs to all Air Force and Marines newcomers.

​

2001-2002

Art Director

Koroberi

Carrboro, North Carolina

​

1998-2001

Freelance Copywriter, Art Director, Creative Director, and Advertising Consultant

Cairo, Egypt

​

1996-1998

Art Director and Acting Creative Director

Intermarkets Advertising

Cairo, Egypt

​

1990-1996

Freelance Copywriter, Art Director, Creative Director, and Advertising Consultant

Cairo, Egypt

​

1988-1990

Copywriter, Graphic Designer, and Associate Art Director

Cairo, Egypt