ANNE S.

RALSTON
TRANSLATE TECHNICAL INTO UNDERSTANDABLE
Spring, TX 77386

www.linkedin.com/in/anneralston

anne.s.ralston@gmail.com

Mobile: 936.689.2283

Objective: Information Architect that specializes in Technical Documentation (web-based, printed, and online help),
Technical Training Materials, and Business Procedure Documentation.

Profile A self-motivated and creative professional with a talent for synthesizing, organizing, and structuring complex
technical and business information into user-friendly print, web, and online help documentation, videos, and training
materials. Communicate effectively with developers, engineers, mathematicians, product management, marketing, and
sales and support personnel. Have a proven track record of producing results in a short time frame.
Am analytical, friendly, and a personable team player. Excel as a communicator that systematically breaks problems
apart, identifies patterns, and makes the connections required to draw logical conclusions. Set a high personal standard
for producing original reports and materials to meet fluid and evolving business needs by using novel perspectives and
implementing one-of-a-kind solutions.

Highlights

Documented how to use and configure features for the Deal Optimizer module of PROS Pricing Solution Suite (PPSS), the
banyan tree of the PPSS modules. RESULT: Professional services personnel configured advanced features for customer demos
in record time (e.g., less than 30 minutes) with no questions or issues.

Wrote Charter Conversion proposals (100+ pages) for two Credit Unions which created a rationale to receive an approval to
expand their marketing territory. RESULT: Revived two stagnant applications that got approved in record time by the National
Credit Union Association without requiring further research or revisions. The customer base of each credit union increased by at
least 33%.

Produced a detailed proprietary manual documenting how to design, develop, build, and maintain a cancer center. Document
included timeline of activities, allocation of responsibilities, and benchmarks. RESULT: Annual cancer center openings doubled,
meeting and/or exceeding deadline and budget constraints with no increase in personnel.

Lead Writer and back-up Instructor for a Data Communications Distance Learning Curriculum, designed for delivery to all
(65,000) company employees. RESULT: Twelve-module/48-hour curriculum was approved through the National College Credit
Recommendation Service for three hours of upper division college credit. Tuition dollars earned from this curriculum generated
100% of the revenues required to support a zero-base funded organization.

Professional Experience
PROS Houston, TX

2008-2014

Trainer/Technical Writer, Professional Services

Developed configuration training materials documenting how to use, configure, and implement three of the PROS Pricing Solution
Suite (PPSS) software modules Scientific Analytics, Price Optimizer, and Deal Optimizer.
Presented and/or was the assistant trainer for week long sessions delivered to employees, customers, and partners, and served as
a resource for CBT users.
100% of Professional Services employees assigned to PPSS, partners, and customers who worked with these modules were
required to complete this training and pass an exam for certification. Successful certification rate higher than 97%.

Information Designer II, Product Development

Documented all aspects of the PPSS Deal Optimizer (DO) module. Created and maintained end user documentation (What's New,
Release Notes, Tech Notes, Installation and Maintenance Guide, and Configuration Guide). Produced the first DO tutorial videos
demonstrating how to use selected features.

Lone Star College-Montgomery Conroe, TX

2004

Adjunct Professor, Business & Social Sciences Division

Taught students about all aspects of running a business (Small Business Management), with complete responsibility for the course
including syllabus, projects, exams, and all course materials.

D. Hilton Associates The Woodlands, TX

2002-2003

Project Manager, Marketing and Business Development

Responsible for marketing research, data analysis, and reporting/presentation of results. Managed development and maintenance
of website storefront and products. Produced industry-wide reports, an important source of revenue: a 2003 Comprehensive
Employee Benefits Survey, and a 2003 Executive Compensation Survey which enhanced D. Hiltons image in the credit union
community and generated revenue for the company.

US Oncology Houston, TX

2001-2002

Business Process Documentation Specialist, Radiation Services

As a member of the Cancer Center Development Committee, interviewed executives and managers from key departments (e.g.,
Corporate Development, Facilities Development, Radiation Services, Marketing), to gather information required to document how to
create a cancer center.

MCI WorldCom The Woodlands, TX

1998-2001

Senior Technical Writer, Knowledge Management

Wrote customer user guides and online help for IT applications, Wholesale Financial, Billing & Collections, and Global Order Entry
systems. Created an instruction manual for adding a switch to the International Traffic Data Mart that provided a standardized
procedure for worldwide use, significantly increasing efficiency and accuracy.

Pacific Bell San Ramon and San Francisco, CA

1981-1996

Training Manager / Course Developer, Corporate Training

Advanced technologies team lead for course development. Responsible for materials, course design, content, and instructor
support. Co-wrote and co-delivered advanced technology distance learning seminars (Video Dial Tone and Consumer Broadband
Network). Revised 4-day leader-led courses (Principles of Digital Technology and Telecommunications Fundamentals). Worked with
AT&T to develop a four hour hands-on ISDN (Integrated Services Digital Network)/AT&T CPE (Customer Premise Equipment) course.

Sales Planning Manager, Priority Business Market

Provided training, product marketing, product rollout, and sales motivation/recognition program support to Priority Business Sales
Teams that serviced Pacific Bells largest customers, considerably streamlining the communication process and goodwill between
Marketing Staff and Field Marketing. Produced a newsletter for the Priority Business Customers and for the Priority Business Sales
Force. Designed and rolled out the Executive Contact Program. These activities resulted in enhanced company/customer relations.

Advertising Project Manager, Marketing Communications

Worked with marketing advertising and the ad agency to coordinate and evaluate marketing advertising research needs to improve
the flow and consistency of communications between the two organizations and anticipate forthcoming issues. Produced high

level summaries of all advertising copy testing results and market segmentation analyses. Information was used in
executive presentations to justify ad strategies and plans.
Market Planning Manager, Residential Marketing
Managed Pacific Bells first market segmentation studies for the residential market. Dealt with vendors, corporate
research, marketing staff and sales personnel. Produced marketing strategic and tactical plans in the newly deregulated
telecommunications industry which contributed to a strategy that achieved $108 million in annual revenue.

Software and Other Microsoft Office 2010, Word, PowerPoint, Excel, SharePoint 2010, FrameMaker, RoboHelp, EditMe,
MindTouch, Camtasia, Prezi, Trello, SnagIt, Survey Monkey, ClassMarker, HTML, XML, Visio, MapPoint, SPSS, Teleform, Eclipse,
Tortoise CVS, TeamTrack, PDK, OpenAir, Agile, SCRUM

Education
Ph.D., Business Administration, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, Nebraska
M.A., Educational Psychology & Measurements, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, Nebraska
B.A., Psychology, College of St. Benedict, St. Joseph, Minnesota; Graduated with Honors Cum Laude

Affiliations

Beta Gamma Sigma, International Honor Society, Academic Achievement in the Study of Business
th
Biographical Sketch in Whos Who in the West, Publisher Marquis, 19 Edition
Society for Technical Communications