Despite early career aspirations to be an opera singer (age 4) and a deep-sea diver (age 6), Jessica settled on a career as a writer after a brief fantasy of becoming some sort of forestry professional (ages 17-22). For two decades, she worked as a reporter and editor, winning national, regional, and local writing awards. Along the way, she interviewed Yoko Ono, accidentally snubbed a U.S. senator, and hung up on a convicted serial killer.

Education
• University of Maine, Orono: B.A. Journalism; B.S. Forest Management

Affiliations, Associations, Consultation
• Council for the Advancement and Support of Education
• Wyoming Press Association affiliate member
• Former vice president, Society of Professional Journalists, Wyoming state chapter
• Fellow, Institute for Journalism and Natural Resources, 2006
• Fellow, Knight Center for Specialized Journalism, 2003

Awards
• 2007 First Place, National Newspaper Association, In-depth or Investigative Reporting
• 2007 First Place, National Newspaper Association, Business Story
• 2007 First Place, National Newspaper Association, Special News, Sports or Feature Section
• 2007 First Place, Associated Press Public Service Award
• 2007 First Place, Wyoming Press Association, In-depth Reporting
• 2006 First Place, Inland Daily Press Association, Investigative Reporting, 10,000-25,000 circulation
• 2005 First Place, Wyoming Press Association Government Issue Reporting
• 2005 Second Place, Wyoming Press Association In-depth Reporting
• 2005 Honorable Mention, Wyoming Press Association News Story
• 2004 Second Place Wyoming Press Association Government Issue Reporting
• 2003 Honorable Mention, National Newspaper Association Breaking News Story
• 2003 First Place, Wyoming Press Association News Story
• 2001 First Place, National Newspaper Association, Best Business Story
• 2001 First Place, Wyoming Press Association In-depth Reporting
• 2000 Finalist, APME Freedom of Information Award (project coordinator)
• 1998 First Place, Wyoming Press Association Investigative/Interpretative Award
• 1996 First Place, New York Associated Press Deadline Reporting