Gavin W. Off 9220 Sardis Forest Drive
(941) 223-8346
DATA SKILLS:
• SQL ● R ● Tableau ● ArcGIS
• Text editors ● Datawrapper ● Excel ● Caspio
EDUCATION:
• University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Journalism and Mass Communication: B.A. 2002
• University of Missouri at Columbia School of Journalism: M.A. 2008
TEACHING EXPERIENCE
• Adjunct professor, Queens University of Charlotte
o Data-Driven Stories (2019, 2020)
o History and Principles of Journalism (2020)
• Adjunct professor, East Carolina University
o Data-Driven Stories (2019)
• Teaching assistant, University of Missouri
o Agricultural Journalism (2007)
JOURNALISM EXPERIENCE:
Charlotte Observer, Data reporter, Charlotte, NC, Sept. 2011 to present
• Request, clean and analyze data for investigative and daily stories, maps and online databases
• Use data for watchdog journalism and to spot trends, perform calculations and pinpoint story leads
• Wrote stories on the state’s court system, medical examiner’s office, prisons and lottery
Tulsa World, Data editor, Tulsa, OK, July 2008 to Aug. 2011
• Used database managers and mapping software to analyze data for investigative stories
• Wrote stories on pollution, school violence, nursing home abuse and tornado siren coverage
Scripps Howard News Service, Data reporter, Washington, DC, Jan. 2008 to July 2008
• Used SPSS to search and join variables to write national stories
• Gathered data from various formats, ran cross tabulations, linear regressions and frequency searches
National Institute for Computer-Assisted Reporting, Data analyst, Columbia, MO, Aug. 2007 to Dec. 2007
• Gathered, formatted and cleaned data from various government agencies
• Worked data using FoxPro and provided them to reporters nationally and internationally
The Columbus Dispatch, Intern, Columbus, OH, May 2007 to Aug. 2007
• Used data skills to cover state environmental news
The Columbia Missourian, Statehouse reporter, Jefferson City, MO, Jan. 2007 to May 2007
• Covered state government news about the environment, agricultural, transportation and the elderly
• Worked under deadline to cover Senate and House of Representatives sessions and hearings
The Charlotte Sun, Assistant editor/Staff writer, Port Charlotte, FL, Nov. 2002 to July 2006
• Reported on the towns of Port Charlotte and Englewood
• Covered police, county government, spot news and the local water district
The Daily Tar Heel, Staff writer, Chapel Hill, NC, Aug. 1999 to May 2002
• Wrote sports stories and stories concerning the state of North Carolina
The Cape May County Herald, Intern, Rio Grande, NJ, May 16, 2001 to July 25, 2001
The Press of Atlantic City, Intern, Pleasantville, NJ, May 15, 2000 to Aug. 16, 2000
AWARDS
• First place: McClatchy President’s Award for Journalism Excellence (2020, 2017, 2014, 2013, 2011)
• Third place: National Headliner Award (2020)
• First place: NCPA Investigative Reporting and NCPA Public Service Reporting awards (2019, 2018)
• Second place: National Headliner Award (2018)
• First place: NCPA Investigative Reporting (2017)
• First place: SPJ’s Sigma Delta Chi public service journalism award, 100,000-plus circulation (2015)
• Finalist: ASNE Local Accountability Reporting Award (2015)
• Finalist: Investigative Reporters & Editors FOI (2015)
• First place: NCPA Investigative Reporting and NCPA Public Service Reporting awards (2014)
• First place: NC FOI award (2013)
• Second place: Associated Press Sports Editors project writing (2012)
• First place: AP/Oklahoma News Executives – investigative reporting (2010)
• ***Other awards from NC, FL, MO and OK Florida (2006-14)***
CONFERENCE PRESENTATIONS
• National Institute for Computer-Assisted Reporting Conference (2015)
o Local Data That Can Lead to Stories
• National Institute for Computer-Assisted Reporting Conference (2012)
o Federal Data for Local Stories
• National Institute for Computer-Assisted Reporting Conference (2010)
o CAR stories for Every Newsroom
MEMBERSHIPS
• Investigative Reporters & Editors
PROFESSIONAL INTERESTS
• Teaching
• Data journalism
• Investigative reporting
• Storytelling
• Public records laws
