About me
My Goal
Excitement in Journalism
Excitement in Journalism
I am a passionate journalist whose goal is to accurately report the personal stories of people experiencing various issues in society and the world at large.
Excitement in Journalism
Excitement in Journalism
Excitement in Journalism
I have a great deal of enthusiasm for the work associated with journalism. From shooting video, to writing to editing; I take great pride in my role of reporting impactful and current news across all communities.
Why choose me?
Excitement in Journalism
Why choose me?
As a passionate and dedicated journalist, I pride myself for my work with the ethical reporting of journalism.
I value working in a collaborative environment.
No story is too big or small to cover. I want make my way in the world of journalism.
Resume
Renee Marie Ortiz
TWITTER: @By_ReneeOrtiz
LinkedIn profile: linkedin.com/in/renee-ortiz-78a17b183
Educational Background
August 2015-May 2019
- GPA: 3.8 University of Northern Colorado
- Major: Journalism and Media Studies
- Emphasis in News & Multimedia
- Minor: Art and Design
- Graduated with Lower Division Honors & Latin Cum Laude
August 2011- May 2015
- GPA: 3.9 University High School
- Graduated member of NHS
Professional Experience
Government Writer & Investigative Reporter
Index-Journal, Greenwood, SC
August 2024 – Present
- Report on local government, courts, public safety, elections, economic development, utilities, education and community issues across Greenwood, Abbeville, Laurens and McCormick counties for daily print and e-edition publication.
- Produce enterprise and investigative reporting using public records, FOIA requests, court filings, financial documents, audits, meeting packets, transcripts, police reports and state agency records.
- Covered major accountability stories involving municipal finances, public records access, law enforcement conduct, forensic audits, lawsuits, criminal proceedings and local government transparency.
- Conduct in-depth interviews with elected officials, government staff, attorneys, law enforcement leaders, residents, advocates, business owners and community stakeholders.
- Translate complex policy, legal, financial and government issues into clear, accessible stories for local readers under daily and long-term deadlines.
- Cover city councils, county councils, school boards, court hearings, public meetings, press conferences, trials and breaking news events.
- Develop and maintain source relationships across state, county and municipal agencies, community organizations, public safety agencies and resident groups.
- Shoot photos and video for print, web and social media, including portraits, meeting coverage, breaking news scenes, community events and enterprise reporting.
- Help expand the newsroom’s digital storytelling through on-camera interviews, event coverage, social media videos and multimedia packages using cameras, microphones and lighting equipment.
- Contribute feature stories, profiles and human-interest pieces highlighting local residents, nonprofits, veterans, students, artists and community organizations.
- Balance multiple reporting projects at once, including daily assignments, Sunday enterprise stories, FOIA-driven investigations and follow-up coverage.
December 2021- May 2024
Keloland News: Multimedia Reporter, Keloland News, Sioux Falls, SD
- Reporting local, investigative, features, and breaking news
- Researching and conducting interviews
- Developed community partnerships with local and state agencies
- Cultivated close relationships with local indigenous tribal leaders and refugee populations for accurate media portrayal
- Editing video with Adobe Premiere
- Proficiency in operating JVC camera equipment
- Live studio and in-field reporting
- Led special multi segment projects such as Midwest Honor Flight, Remarkable Women, and Hispanic Heritage Month
- Provided onboarding in the field training for interns and newly hired employees
- Produced PKG’s, VO’s, and VOSOT’s for all news reports assigned
- Worked collaboratively with colleagues to generate daily story reports
August 2020- December 2021
Editor, Fox31 KDVR & Channel 2 KWGN
- Editing PM broadcast video
- Trained and proficient with Adobe Premiere Pro & Final Cut Pro 10
- Proficient and trained with Latakoo, Bitcentral, ENPS, Splashtop, FileZilla, TON's
- Produced: Preshows, Packages, VO's, SOTVO's, Teases and Retracks
- Trained to work in house & at home
May 2019- April 2020
Media Content Specialist, Black Knight Inc.
- Website Design
- Professional Photography
- Social Media Manager
- Marketing and Advertisement Coordinator
August 2017-May 2019
Bear News Reporter, Bear News
- News Package Producer
- Script Writer and Video Editor
- Podcast Production Coordinator
- On Set Live News Reporting
- Program and Team Development
- VO’s and VOSOT’s
- Published Broadcast Stories (@bearnews98 and YouTube)
- Website Design
May 2018-Aug 2018
Mildred Hansen Internship, Greeley Tribune
- Story Writing and Production
- Video Production and Editing
- Sound Bite Production
- Social Media Coordinator
- Photographer and Website Design
- Live Coverage of Local Events (e.g., Greeley Stampede)
- Published Stories and Video to Greeley Tribune (in print and online) Wrote stories, produced video, edited stories and video, produced soundbites, posted to Facebook account, took photographs, designed layouts with Adobe InDesign
Skills
- AP Style writing
- Investigative reporting
- Adobe InDesign
- Adobe Premiere Pro
- Adobe Photoshop
- Final Cut Pro
- Video Production
- Social media/content producer
- Communication skills
- Video Editing
- Photography
- Bi-Lingual in Spanish
- Typing (WPM 70)
- Intrinsically Motivated
- Goal Orientated
- Time Management
- Independent and Collaborative Worker
- Critical Thinking
Awards and Honors
- 2025 Recipient for Investigative Reporting South Carolina Press Association News Contest All Daily Divisions; A community silenced: How Calhoun Falls was shut out of it's own government
- 2025 Honorable Mention of the Jay Bender Award for Assertive Journalism All Daily Divisions; FOIA Fights in Ninety Six: Promises, pushback and a $6,000 price tag
- 2025 Runner up for in-depth reporting South Carolina Press Association News Contest B&C Divisions; Local action, state inaction: South Carolina’s hate crime gap
- 2024 Runner up for in-depth reporting South Carolina Press Association News Contest B&C Divisions; Bud Ackerman Murder Trial Coverage
- KELOLAND News 2023 Employee of the Quarter
- KELOLAND News Employee of the Year 2023 nominee
- Courage to Excel Scholarship, March 2019
- 2018 Heartland Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences scholarship winner
- Mortar Board Honor Society Scholarship, April 2018
- Centennial Rotary Scholarship, August 2015
- Mildred Hansen Internship & Scholarship, May 2018
- Pi Sigma Alpha Mortar Board Honor Society Stole, May 2019
- Lower Division Honors Stole, May 2019
- Dean’s Honor Roll Academic Cord, January 2016
- Dean's Honors List, 2015-2019
Presentations
- “The sexualization of women in today’s society” Honors Program, 2015
- “Gender equity in the United States” Honors Program, 2016
- “Social justice & the meaning of equity” Media Ethics, 2017
- “Equity between races in the United States” Honors Program, 2018
Affiliations
- Initiated into Pi Sigma Alpha Mortar Board Honor Society at UNC, April 2018- April 2019
- Historian for Mortar Board Honor Society, May 2018- April 2019