stc-jamesriver.org - Information Design and Management

This presentation examined the lessons learned from the development and publication of the “State of the Valley,” published in November 2003 by the Valley Conservation Council. This document was to be a highly technical land-use planning “infomercial” targeting political decision-makers, advocacy groups and professional planners in the Shenandoah Valley. Each of 2000 copies, with 138 pages perfect-bound that included 98 charts, maps, and tables, needed to be intelligible to both non-technical and technical users. The speaker reviews the role of limited budgets in a small not-for-profit affect decisions and how content and design/layout play off each other dynamically as the document evolves from research notes and an outline to a printed publication.

About the Speaker

David Pugh’s dogged pursuit of eclectic excellence has been consistently recognized by colleagues and employers, beginning with the US Army, which assigned him as a K-9 handler working in a noted tropical location during the 1970s. Subsequently graduating from Eckerd College with a BA in Economics, Mr. Pugh entered into a career as a Foreign Service specialist with the US Department of State. In addition to managing facilities and construction at posts around the world, Mr. Pugh edited local newsletters and authored white papers and marketing research studies to further US economic interests and opportunities. Mr. Pugh earned his MBA from Tulane University during his Foreign Service career. Following his retirement in 1998, Mr. Pugh went into the expanding field of technical communications, earning Publications Specialist certification from The George Washington University whilst working as a Technical Editor at the Defense Threat Reduction Agency.

Mr. Pugh currently resides in bucolic splendor near Staunton VA, where he continues to write for regional planning authorities while keeping bees and dabbling in farming. Mr. Pugh is active in community service with the James River Chapter STC, Potomac Appalachian Trail Club, and as a local Big Brother.