Bruce Tomaso

214-914-1759      [email protected]      www.brucetomaso.com

Writer. Editor. Teacher. Innovator.

Experience

Freelance writer and editor, 2017-present

  • Clients include The Dallas Morning News, Religion News Service, The Texas Lawbook, Southern Methodist University (Dedman School of Law, Meadows School of the Arts, Cox School of Business), and Verb, an Austin-based provider of online leadership training.

 

Southern Methodist University, 2013-present

  • Adjunct faculty teaching History of Journalism, an upper-level elective.

 

The Dallas Morning News, 1984-2016

  • 2016: Breaking News/Enterprise Editor. In the vanguard of The News’s transformation into an online-first news source, I helped create and run a 15-member Breaking News Hub, the core of a reconfigure digital newsroom. Managed daily coverage as well as enterprise projects for web and print. Well-versed in online publishing and use of digital storytelling tools, including photos, video, interactive design, headlines, web analytics, and social media.
  • 2012-2015: Assistant Metro Editor. Managed coverage of local government, local politics, urban planning, transportation, and other subjects.  
  • 2008-2012: Breaking News Editor. Helped train and supervise a pioneering cadre of web reporters. Coordinated with the traditional newsroom staff to get spot news posted quickly.
  • 2007-2008: General Assignments/Government Reporter.
  • 2003-2007: Religion Editor. Produced a nationally recognized weekly Religion section. Duties included story conception; collaboration with staff and freelance writers, photographers and artists; editing and design; hiring and budget.
  • 2001-2003: Day City Editor. Supervised 50 reporters and 10 editors responsible for metropolitan coverage. Planned and presented each day’s local news package.
  • 1999-2001: Local Government Editor. Supervised reporters and columnists covering City Hall, county government, local politics and elections.
  • 1993-1999: State Correspondent, Houston Bureau.
  • 1984-1999: Reporter, Metro Desk.

 

Awards and Honors

  • Hall of Fame, Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication, Arizona State University. (1995 inductee.)
  • Finalist, 2017 Pulitzer Prize in Breaking News Reporting. (Dallas Morning News staff entry, for coverage of an ambush that killed five police officers. The entry consisted of 10 stories; I was the editor in charge of two of them.)
  • Recipient, 2016 Knight-Cronkite Alumni Innovation Grant ($15,000), awarded to promote “the use of cutting-edge technologies and practices in newsrooms across the country”
  • Award of Excellence, 2016 Society for News Design Best Digital Design Competition (for an online feature of which I was editor)
  • Wilbur Award, Religion Communicators Council, Best U.S. Religion Section or Pages, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006
  • Schachern Award, Religion Newswriters Association, Best U.S. Religion Pages, 2003, 2004
  • Katie Awards, Dallas Press Club, 1991 (Government/Political Reporting); 1996 (General News Story); 1997 (Series Reporting); 1999 (General News Story)
  • Texas Headliners Foundation Award, governmental affairs reporting, 1994
  • National Association of Black Journalists Award, General Reporting, 1987

 

Professional Activities

  • Guest lecturer at universities nationwide on writing, editing, and journalism ethics.
  • Member, Recruiting Committee, The Dallas Morning News, 2002-2016
  • Member, Style and Usage Committee, The Dallas Morning News, 2005-2016
  • Organizer and teacher of various in-house reporting, writing, and web training classes

 

Education

  • Bachelor of Science (with honors), Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication, Arizona State University.