Ted Schnell, Patch Staff

Education: Graduated from St. Mary's College (now a university) in Winona, Minn., with a degree in journalism, minor in art (emphasis in photography).

Career: First news job as a reporter/photographer in Rawlins, Wyo.

Then worked as news editor uin Cheyenne, Wyo., for several years in the early 1990s before returning to Elgin, Ill., in 1994 to work as night editor of The Courier-News.

Advanced in 2007 to Web content editor, a position held until I was laid off in December 2010.

Began writing a blog, Laid off at 51: Seeking joy in change, about being an unemployed journalist and about journalism trends and issues, particularly related to digital media's impact on the newspaper industry.

Worked part-time at an Elgin news website, later added more part-time work as a guest editor for Patch.com.

Began full-time work as local editor for St. Charles, IL Patch in July 2012. In August 2013, my responsibilities were expanded to include Wheaton Patch.

Interests/hobbies: My Christian faith is very important to me, as is my family.

After that, I love fishing, reading, wildlife, photography and writing/blogging.