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W.W. Clyde

RoleAward Application Writer
TypeFreelance
PeriodSep 2012 – Nov 2012

Background​

After the Geneva Rock engagement, the Marketing Director at Clyde Companies came back with another project--this time for their heavy civil construction subsidiary, W.W. Clyde. He had six award applications that needed writing, all of them time-sensitive, and all of them for the same project.

The project in question was worth writing about. W.W. Clyde had used Accelerated Bridge Construction (ABC) to replace an interchange overpass in Mesquite, Nevada. The method was straightforward in concept and audacious in execution: build the new bridge sections alongside the old one, demolish the old bridge, and slide the new one into place. It was a national first. The unveiling drew more than 28 Utah state representatives to witness the event, which tells you something about how unusual it was. (Politicians don't typically show up for road work unless cameras are involved.)

I visited the project site, interviewed the project manager, foreman, architect, and other crew members, and recorded hours of conversation that I transcribed into usable material. I also researched existing coverage--press releases, magazine articles, and national mentions of the project--to build a complete picture of what had been accomplished and why it mattered.

Six proposals went out over two months. Two of them won: the 2012 APWAA Project of the Year Award and the 2013 Marvin M. Black Excellence in Partnering Special Recognition Award. The Marvin M. Black award was notable on its own--it was a first-time recognition, never previously presented. The application for it ran more than 30 pages, which made it the most complex and demanding of the six.

This was part of the same Clyde Companies engagement that also included Beehive Insurance and Geneva Rock.

What I Did​

  • Wrote 6 award applications for construction industry foundations over a 2-month period, resulting in 2 award wins.
  • Won the 2012 APWAA Project of the Year Award and the 2013 Marvin M. Black Excellence in Partnering Special Recognition Award, the latter being a first-time recognition never previously presented.
  • Authored the 30+ page Marvin M. Black application, the most complex submission due to its extensive documentation requirements and prestige.
  • Visited the project location in Mesquite, Nevada, to view the completed Accelerated Bridge Construction (ABC) interchange.
  • Interviewed subject matter experts including the project manager, foreman, architect, and construction crew. Recorded and transcribed hours of technical information into structured, readable content.
  • Researched existing project coverage including press releases, magazine articles, and national media mentions to support application narratives.

Key Skills​

Award Application · Proposal Writing · Grant Writing · SME Interview · Research · Workflow Processes · Diagrams · Managing Deadlines · Deliverables · Project Documentation · Infrastructure · Compliance Documentation · Adobe Acrobat · Collaboration · Task Management · Proofreading · Copyediting · Editing · Process Improvement · Documentation · Technical Writing · Microsoft Word · Windows