Covering the state of Arizona's cannabis community, industry, and politics. I interviewed a variety of local officials and industry executives, performed research and fact checking, and wrote articles for the company.

The job required intensive analysis and reporting in a professional journalism environment. Reporting directly to the head News editor.

Write NerdWallet-style financial content covering a wide array of banking services and products.

Research and analyze over 120 top cryptocurrency and blockchain projects. I performed interviews with industry leaders, attended major trade shows, and performed deep dives of highly technical financial products. I invested in dozens of coins (ETH, BTC, DASH, 0X, BTT, etc), performed trades on crypto markets, tested hardware/software wallets, and understand mining, consensus, and other concepts related to blockchain. I'm familiar with all aspects of the most popular crypto and blockchain projects.

I contributed a wide variety of articles related to money, financial services, and more. I utilized my banking industry knowledge to decipher fianncial services for businesses and merchants, like chip cards, EMV standards, ecommerce, mobile payment options, POS platforms, and more.

Contributing a wide variety of commentary and editorials to HuffPost's online newspaper, along with appearing as a frequent guest on HuffPostLive.

Curating content related to drop-in audio apps like Clubhouse, Spotify Greenroom, Twitter Spaces, Stereo, Discord Stages, Fireside, Wisdom, Spoon, and more. 

I teach creators how to navigate the Creator Economy. I also review shows like Creator First, Spotify Greenroom partners, notable Twitter Spaces,  and more. 

I cover all aspects of the community, content, legal, tech, and culture of audio creators. Manage and mod Discord servers, Reddit subreddits, and other online communities.

Built a Substack newsletter to 1000 subscribers from 0 within 90 days by covering social audio as a beat reporter.

Review Android games and tech, edit other writers' work, assist in backend operations. Build a work network through contacting major brands to obtain products for review across multiple channels. Interview developers, stay ahead of breaking news and gaming trends in both Android and the broader gaming community. Attend trade shows and conferences, like E3, PAX West, CES, and SXSW as an analyst.

Covering the emerging cannabis industry. I traveled the west coast to personally experience the medical and recreational marijuana industries as they opened in Colorado, Washington, Oregon, Nevada, California, and Arizona.

As a medical marijuana patient, I became an expert in all cannabinoids, extraction, growing, distribution, testing, cannabis PoS, and more. I attended several Cannabis Cups in each state, along with MJBizDaily's Marijuana Business Conference, Southwest Cannabis Conference, Emerald Cup, and more.

I interviewed and worked with several members of prominent cannabis groups, including the Marijuana Policy Project, NORML, High Times, Freedom Leaf, Cannabis Radio, and more.

Research and write thought leadership articles, blogs, and social media posts for a variety of clients using writing marketplaces and agencies, including Influence & Co, Volume 9, Crowd Content, Content Pros, WritersAccess, and more. I write highly sharable content using basics of digital marketing, including SEO, CPC, Social Media, PPC, content marketing, guest blogging, and more. I can help your business get the information it needs up about cannabis, cryptocurrency, technology, vaping, banking, and more.

Running a full service media agency that provides content marketing and media relations expertise for mid- to large-sized clients with at least $5 million in annual revenue. Provide top tier media coverage in outlets like Forbes, HuffPost, TechCrunch, and the Associated Press. Secure speaking slots at large events like SXSW, GDC, CES, NAB, and E3. Forge relationships with editors, writers, producers, and bookers to secure media wins for clients.

I worked with a variety of regulators and legislators to reform force-placed insurance (also known as lender-placed insurance and collateral protection insurance). This includes the New York Department of Financial Services, Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, and more. I helped educate these parties, along with Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, and the Federal Housing Finance Agency, about the industry and how to properly regulate it.

In short, the loan servicers are wholly capable of charging a nominal service fee for procurement of group insurance from reputable consumer insurers, like State Farm, Allstate, Lloyd's of London, USAA, etc. There's no reason for them to charge inflated 10x fees for proprietary, in-house insurance that is used fraudulently.

Still happy to help with any issues, but it's best for my mental health not to spend too much time at war with a monster of an industry.

I managed various aspects of mortgage and insurance operations, including Exceptions Processing, Data Entry, Mailroom Operations, and more. I coached and supervised a team of 20+ employees locally, along with four additional teams of 150+ in the Philippines, India, Texas, California, and Pennsylvania. 

I'm an expert in force-placed insurance (aka lender placed insurance and collateral protection insurance), loan tracking operations, real estate-owned (REO) insurance, foreclosures, mortages, insurance, escrow, and more. 

I understand B2B marketing, account management, billing, lender services, client services, and more.

My clients during this time included Bank of America, Countrywide Home Loans, Wachovia Loan Services, Wells Fargo, Compass Bank, Downey Savings & Loans, Select Portfolio Services, GMAC, PennyMac, Homecoming Financial, Financial Freedom, Aurora Loan Services (subsidiary of Lehman Bros), IndyMac Federal (now OneWest), and more.

Supervising a high-volume call center dealing with Amex cards and Membership Rewards program.

Managing team (and other supervisors) to ensure call volume is handled. 

Upselling products and services as appropriate to exceed all sales goals.

Monitoring agent calls for quality assurance. Coaching unsatisfactory agents on the process and procedures.

Updating training manuals and job aides as appropriate. Performing in-classroom and on-the-job training for new agents.

I performed 6th bucket collections on consumer credit card accounts issued through Chase Manhattan and Bank One. I did skip tracing, account management, and more in this customer contact role. We were the highest level collections team requiring the best skills.

Delivering daily editions of the Sierra Vista Herald newspaper. I maintained three routes and covered delivery, collections, and soliciting new subscriptions. I grew my routes from 20 to 50 customers and consistently delivered on time.

Brian Penny

Your favorite writer’s favorite ghostwriter…