Sean M. Gallagher

Technology Journalist · Evaluator · Practitioner
sean [at] buzzword-compliant dot com

An award-winning business and technology journalist with both hands-on lab and field experience in evaluating technologies, IT products, and vendors, and implementing solutions to business problems. Currently Director of IT Strategy for Ziff-Davis Media.

a brief professional history:

Editor, Defense Systems , 1105 Government Information Group (December 2007-present)

I manage a monthly print publication and an internet news site for members of the Defense Department community involved in information technology and net-centric warfare, particularly C4ISR.

Editorial Director, Channel Group, TechTarget (July 2006-July 2007)

I led the launch of a group of web media products targeted at technology resellers and consultants.

Director of IT Strategy, Executive Editor
Ziff Davis Media, Enterprise Group
April 2004 - July 2006

I manage the technical aspects of all Internet editorial products for the enterprise group, including the launching of new sites and services, adding new editorial and marketing features to existing sites, and integration of content between different Web platforms. I developed the underlying code to drive eWEEK's new IT Hub and Watch home pages.

I also am responsible for helping to develop Web 2.0 and multimedia offerings, and implementing search-engine optimization of all enterprise sites.

I managed editorial operations of eWEEK's Topic Centers, and of Ziff's other enterprise IT sites (Baseline, CIO Insight, Channel Insider, Security IT Hub, CIO Central, Publish, and PDFzone), including hiring and managing staff and freelance editors, guiding or directing editorial content, and managing the underlying web technology and presentation of the site.

I also write columns and news articles for various Ziff publications and Web sites (including eWEEK, Publish.com, and Baseline), and a weblog for eWEEK entitled Buzzword/Compliant. A feed of recent entries to that weblog is displayed at right.

Technology Editor, Baseline Magazine
Ziff Davis Media
August 2001 - April 2004

I wrote in-depth case studies of business IT projects, often without the cooperation of the subject companies. I advised the editor-in-chief on all technical content of the publication, and consulted with other staff members on their articles, providing technical detail on the sofware and systems involved in their stories. I researched the finances of subject companies and their market peers to baseline their performance and attempt to determine the effectiveness of their IT investments.

I also wrote a recurring column on IT strategy, and single-page tutorials on emerging technologies to help executives determine whether they should consider adopting them. And I advised the editor-in-chief on the development of story ideas and new technical elements for case studies.

While at Baseline, I received a Jesse H. Neal National Business Journalism Award for my work on recurring features, and American Society of Business Publication Editors Gold and Silver awards for my case study work.

Editorial Director, Enterprise Publications
Fawcette Technical Publications, Inc.
July 1999 - August 2001

I managed three print publications for software developers and architects (Java Pro, XML Magazine, and Enterprise Development), a custom content stream for IBM's DeveloperWorks and Lotus Developer Network, conference tracks on Java and XML, and ancillary events and special publications. I wrote articles and columns, managed and trained staff, directed redesigns on two print publications, and developed editorial operational procedures. I also evangelized for the publications I was in charge of to vendors, accompanying the vice president of publishing on executive-level sales calls.

Managing Editor, Labs
InformationWeek
September 1994 - July 1999

I managed the operations of InformationWeek's product review labs, and wrote and/or edited all reviews, technical analysis features, technical sidebars to feature stories, and opinion columns. I worked with the managing editor and news editor to assure the technical accuracy of all news stories, spoke at conferences, moderated panels, and built relationships with outside testing labs.

Associate Editor, Technology
Government Computer News
September 1992-September 1994

I built GCN's review lab, and reviewed application development and database tools, networking hardware, servers and operating systems. I also served as the software beat reporter, and served briefly as the network administrator and on-site IT director, overseeing the publication's migration to digital production.

Engineering Task Manager,
CBIS Federal
December 1991-September 1992

I oversaw installation and management of a campus network and related software and hardware at the Army Test Center at Aberdeen Proving Grounds, and conducted site surveys for prospective contracts and provided other consulting services.

Other related previous experience:

Freelance technology journalist and consultant (1990-1991)

Officer, US Navy (1986-1990) -- IT project manager, computer security officer, intelligence officer, command security manager.

 

my attention stream portal