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Scott Westerman began his 40-year career in telecommunications as a Michigan radio station engineer, account executive, and on-air talent. He has gained comprehensive experience in areas of new media and marketing, particularly in revenue generation. More recently, Scott Westerman founded and curated the website Keener13.com, a tribute to radio station WKNR in Detroit, Michigan, and worked as a lecturer and motivational speaker on topics such as social media for brand development and effective strategies for operational transformation. He has balanced his professional activities with several industry group positions, such as his time as the director of the Illinois Cable Television Association. A telecommunications graduate, Mr. Westerman completed CTAM University coursework at Harvard Business School in 2006. He is a published author of both fiction and nonfiction, with 10 titles in print, several under the pen name Terry Shepherd. His business interests include RockAndRollRevisited.com, a website he founded, and leadership positions with Mediacom Communications Corporation and the Ramirez and Clark publishing company. He has also served in a founding director role with DownSyndromeNation.com since 2018.

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Amateur Radio Use in Emergency Situations

A seasoned writer and telecommunications leader from Michigan, Scott Westerman is the founder and CEO of the Florida publishing company Ramirez and Clark. In addition, Scott Westerman has extensive experience working in commercial radio and hosting podcasts. One of his hobbies is amateur radio, typically called “ham” radio. Ham radio operators are licensed to use assigned portions of the radio frequency spectrum to make contact with fellow hobbyists in their own communities and around the world. Aside from individual contacts, ham operators also participate in on-air group called “nets,” short for networks. The nets often provide practice in communication procedures that may be required during disasters such as hurricanes, floods, earthquakes, or fires - where normal power, phone, and Internet service may be unavailable. One example of ham radio usage during a disaster happened in 2018 when Hurricane Michael struck the Florida panhandle with winds that knocked out communications for days. Ham radio operators worked intensively for two weeks to provide communication between local shelters and the Florida Emergency Operations Center.

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Dreams Come True - Kids Helping Kids Program

The founder and CEO of the publishing house Ramirez & Clark, Scott Westerman has decades of experience across the media industry, having managed one of the first cable advertising launches in Lansing, Michigan. With interest in giving back to the community, Scott Westerman, formerly of Michigan, served as president of Dreams Come True of Jacksonville. Established over 30 years ago, Dreams Come True is dedicated to making dreams come true for children across North Florida and South Georgia. There are several programs that donors and volunteers can support at Dreams Come True. For instance, the Dreams Come True Kids Helping Kids program pairs young people and students from schools, clubs, organizations, and youth groups with dream recipients called Dreamers. Through this program, kids can help kids battle a life-threatening illness by raising money to sponsor their dream. Some fundraising projects that the Kids Helping Kids program participants can create include bake sales, car washes, dances, coin drives, and talent shows. Additionally, participants can host a Dream Party, which serves as an opportunity to meet their sponsored Dreamer and spend time with them.

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Requirements for Obtaining a Black Belt

A distinguished professional with diverse experience in telecommunications, technology, and pop culture writing, Scott Westerman is a former regional VP at Comcast and received the Michigan Association of Broadcasters Award for Mobile Application Development in 2012. He has published multiple books and is the producer and host of the daily blog and podcast Rock and Roll Revisited. In addition to his professional accomplishments, former Michigan resident Scott Westerman holds a black belt in martial arts. The black belt is the highest honor attainable for martial artists and requires completing hundreds of hours of instructional classes within a particular time frame. Some schools allow students to apply for black belt testing in as little as 2 years, while others require more extensive training. Prospective black belts must first earn prerequisite belt colors such as gold, orange, blue, purple, green, and brown (3rd, 2nd, and 1st). Black belt candidates must also be at least 9 years old and aware of all three student creeds.

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Transistor - Portable Music Decades Before Walkman

Now based in Florida, former Michigan resident Scott Westerman is a publishing executive who has past experience as a radio engineer and personality, as well as a telecom sales manager. Scott Westerman authored a book on WKNR, an influential Detroit, Michigan, AM station of the 1960s. In a piece on his site keener13.com, Scott Westerman explores the transistor radio, which was an everyday part of life during this era. Similar to how the Walkman and iPod revolutionized how audio content was stored for subsequent generations, the transistor radio was revolutionary in the 1960s. It replaced large wooden consoles in homes and tube-driven models for vehicles with a convenient portable device. With the transistor, as long as there was a radio signal, music could be taken virtually anywhere. From listening to late night ballgames under the covers to taking in the current hits at the park, radio content become an omnipresent facet of people’s lives. With the advent headphones, this auditory experience became more discrete and personal, as each person could now tune into their own soundtrack. This effectively set the stage for the Walkman cassette player of the 1980s. On the other end of the spectrum, the transistor eventually morphed into the boom box, which broadcast one’s musical taste across a wide area.

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What Is Clear and Concise Writing?

Motivational speaker, blogger, author, and podcaster Scott Westerman is a former resident of Michigan who now splits his time between running both Keener13.com and RockAndRollRevisted.com and leading Ramirez and Clark as CEO. Scott Westerman of Michigan launched Ramirez and Clark alongside his wife and manages the publication of his many books through the business. Many people focus on writing with good punctuation, grammar, and syntax. While these factors are important, clear and concise writing is also essential. This refers to writing that uses words precisely chosen by the author. Concise sentences properly use grammar and are void of unnecessary words and phrases. They use clear language consisting of shorter words that are more understandable for readers, and eliminate extra nouns. On top of that, clear and concise writing uses technical terms only on rare occasion so that general audiences can understand the content. In essence, writing clearly and concisely conveys the author’s message in a direct way. Using a mixture of denotative and connotative words, authors share the meaning and emotions of a sentence with the audience. Connotative words have a strong emotional impact, while denotative words provide definition.

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An accomplished author and the CEO of publishing company Ramirez and Clark, Scott Westerman grew up in Michigan. In honor of the old Detroit, Michigan, radio station WKNR, he founded Keener13.com. He also curates RockAndRollRevisited.com. Through these websites, Michigan native Scott Westerman shares music history and memories. He recently wrote an article about “Here Comes the Sun” from George Harrison for Rock and Roll Revisited.

Here are several lesser-known facts about the “Quiet Beatle.”

He invented the megastar rock benefit concert. In 1971, Harrison organized the Concert for Bangladesh. This event featured numerous stars, from Bob Dylan and Eric Clapton to Leon Russell. It involved two shows played at Madison Square Garden and raised over $12 million for the George Harrison Fund at UNICEF. Prior to this, performances for charity existed, but never to such an extent.

He was extremely talkative. Despite having the nickname of the Quiet Beatle, George Harrison was reportedly quite talkative. According to Tom Petty, a friend and fellow Traveling Wilbury, Harrison was rarely quiet, a trait that made hanging around him enjoyable.

He and Bob Dylan had a special connection. Bob Dylan was friends with all of the Beatles, but he and Harrison had a particularly strong bond. The wrote a song together, Harrison spent weeks at Dylan’s home in New York, and they eventually played in the Traveling Wilburys together.

He was the first Beatle that visited and played in the United States. When The Beatles visited the United States in 1964, George Harrison had already been to the country. In 1963, he played as lead guitarist for the Four Vests at the VFW Hall. He also spent some time in Benton, Illinois, when visiting his sister, Louise.

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A native of Michigan, Scott Westerman leads Ramirez and Clark, a Florida-based publishing company, as CEO. He also leads RockAndRollRevisited.com and Keener13.com, the latter of which celebrates WKNR, a local rock and roll radio station in Detroit, Michigan. Scott Westerman maintains a firm interest in radio and is passionate about amateur (or ham) radio. Here are several basic amateur radio terms:

Alternating Current (AC) This term refers to the electrical current flowing in one direction within a wire, then in the other. The rate at which the direction of the electrical current changes depends on the AC frequency.

Beat-Frequency Oscillator (BFO) Capable of producing an audio frequency (AF) tone for continuous wave (CW) reception, BFOs mix an oscillator with an incoming signal.

Beacon Station Amateur station capable of transmitting communications for experimental activities or observation purposes.

Half Wave Dipole Consisting of wire fed at the center of an antenna, half wave dipoles are half the wavelength of the desired operating frequency. Radio amateurs use these types of antennas.

Packet A reliable form of communication, a packet is a digital teletype. Reading it requires the use of a radio transceiver, computer, and interface box.

Rubber Duck Flexible rubber antennas. Handheld transceivers often come with rubber ducks.

Upper Sideband (USB) Sidebands consist of frequencies higher than the carrier frequency. Transceivers are tuned to carrier frequencies.

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Why Empathy Matters for Leaders

A former resident of Michigan, Scott Westerman leads Ramirez and Clark, a publishing company in Florida, as CEO. He also founded RockAndRollRevisited.com and Keener13.com. Scott Westerman is a motivational speaker who shares inspirational messages relating to such things as leadership. On his blog, the former Michigan resident discusses leadership tips from Ted Lasso, one of which highlighted the importance of empathy. Empathy refers to understanding the needs of others. People who are empathetic are aware of other people’s feelings and recognize how they impact their perception and performance. This doesn’t mean they agree with how someone else sees things, but rather that they appreciate what another person is going through. While this may seem unnecessary to many leaders, empathetic leaders provide support to their employees that ultimately boosts their performance and collaboration since they feel more valued by their company. Leaders become more empathetic by getting in touch with their own emotions. Recognizing their personal reactions helps leaders better understand the fears and concerns of their employees. Furthermore, being accessible and responding honestly to employee concerns boosts empathy. This doesn’t mean letting employees wallow in negative emotions. Rather, it involves carefully choosing words that encourage open communication from employees and gently directs them in a positive direction.

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The Three Main Types of Down Syndrome

A native of Michigan, Scott Westerman divides his time between working as a motivational speaker, serving as CEO of Ramirez and Clark, and overseeing both Keener13.com and RockAndRollRevisited.com. In addition, former Michigan resident Scott Westerman is founding director of Down Syndrome Nation and supports Down syndrome awareness efforts. This includes understanding the different types of Down syndrome. Roughly 95 percent of all Down syndrome cases result from trisomy 21. This type of Down syndrome results from abnormal cell division in the egg or sperm, either before or after conception. Instead of having 46 chromosomes in each DNA sequence, one sequence has 47 chromosomes. The extra chromosome is subsequently copied in every cell of the body as the embryo develops. Approximately 4 percent of people with Down syndrome have translocation types. With this type of Down syndrome, the number of chromosomes in a cell’s DNA sequence is correct. However, part of the 21st chromosome breaks off, attaching to a different chromosome in the process, usually chromosome 14. This causes features and signs of Down syndrome. The rarest type of Down syndrome is mosaicism. Accounting for three out of 100 cases of Down syndrome, this type results from abnormal cell division after fertilization. Only some of the cells divide abnormally, while the other cells divide normally. Those that abnormally split produce 47 chromosomes, similar to trisomy 21. These abnormally divided cells replicate alongside normally divided cells as the fetus develops.

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An experienced executive and general manager from Michigan, Scott Westerman leads publishing company Ramirez & Clark as CEO. He also curates several websites and blogs about music history and inspiration. A motivational speaker, Scott Westerman of Michigan supports self-improvement and self-help, as evidenced by his book Pass It On: Lessons and Inspiration for College, and Beyond.

Inspiration plays a key role when it comes to being motivated to achieve different goals. However, it comes and goes for many people. Here are several things that can foster inspiration:

Let the mind refocus. Giving the mind a break and accepting a lack of inspiration helps the brain refocus. It gives people insights into their mental processes and provides them with unexpected sources of inspiration.

Change perspectives. Many people think that inspiration is essential for living fulfilling lives. Instead of acting, they wait until this inspiration strikes. However, action triggers inspiration, so starting with a simple step can inspire the completion of additional steps.

Listen to motivational and inspirational content. Podcasts and TED Talks that are inspirational and motivational are great ways of finding inspiration. This content lets people encounter stories and advice from people who are successful entrepreneurs even though they took varying paths and had different starting points.

Make a list of reasons. For large goals that require a lot of effort, people can lose sight of why they are working toward the goal in the first place. Writing down a list of reasons for pursuing a goal keeps people inspired and motivated as they put in the necessary hard work.

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Accomplished podcaster, author, blogger, and lecturer Scott Westerman, formerly of Michigan, splits his time between several professional endeavors. He founded and curates Keener13.com and RockAndRollRevisited.com, two music-focused websites. On top of this, the former Michigan resident serves as the CEO of Ramirez and Clark and is a published author who has written several books under both his own name of Scott Westerman and his pen name of Terry Shepherd.

Writers of all types experience writer’s block at some point in their careers. Fortunately, there are many methods for overcoming the issues. Here are a few examples:

Go for a walk. Hiking or walking gets writers away from their desks for a bit, while also loosening up and clearing the brain. This physical activity keeps the blood moving and makes writing approachable again. It’s also simple enough that writers may begin writing scenes in their heads as they walk.

Freewrite. When writers freewrite, they write about anything that comes to mind, regardless of spelling, grammar, or topic. This helps them write without second-guessing themselves and frees the mind of doubt and self-consciousness, two aspects of writer’s block. Freewriting typically occurs during a set amount of time in a relaxing setting.

Balance the inner critic. Every writer, regardless of fame or years of experience, has an inner critic. This criticism fuels self-doubt and writer’s block. Successful writers do not cower before their inner critic. Rather, they hear it, acknowledge its points, and move forward. This balanced relationship with inner critics lets writers address any necessary issues while moving past insecurities.

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A published author from Michigan, Scott Westerman is also a corporate executive and entrepreneur with experience in the telecommunications, technology, popular culture, and music sectors. The CEO of Ramirez & Clark, he founded RockAndRollRevisited.com. Through this website, Scott Westerman of Michigan explores a quarter century of music history largely relating to rock and roll.

A popular style of music, rock and roll (also written as rock ‘n roll) is a unique style of music that can be accessed and enjoyed by anyone. Typically consisting of three or four instruments, it often repeats the same chords throughout the song and feels uninhibited and spontaneous. While added backup singers, horns, and other sounds can increase the complexity of the song, this feeling is what sets rock and roll apart from many other genres.

The music originated in the 1950s and developed as a blend between country and rhythm and blues (R&B) music. R&B evolved from the blues, a musical genre harkening back to the work songs that African Americans sang in the South. Many of these individuals came to the United States as slaves and labored in difficult situations. The songs they sang fooled many plantation owners into thinking the music was happy.

While the seeds of rock and roll had existed for decades before its official creation, a mix of white spending power and African American culture fueled the genre’s growth in the 1950s. African American vocal groups like the Dominoes began combining gospel-style harmonies, aggressive R&B rhythms, and call-and-response singing. Disc jockeys further supported the spread of the genre by featuring it prominently on radio stations. Elvis Presley then became the face of rock and roll in 1954.

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Michigan native Scott Westerman now lives in Florida, where he leads Ramirez and Clark as CEO. Through this publishing firm, he and his colleagues predominantly represent independent authors. Former Michigan resident Scott Westerman handles all operating practices at the firm and has had a couple of bestselling books published with the company.

While some writers come up with topic ideas quickly, the process can be a challenge for others. If you find yourself struggling with a book topic, start the process by thinking of a general concept. Consider what your main point of interest is. This is generally something you feel passionate about, which makes the writing process more enjoyable. You don’t need a plot or premise at this point; just start small.

At the same time, stick to the constraints set by your target audience. If you are writing a book targeting garden enthusiasts, for example, don’t pick a concept that is totally unrelated to gardening and provides the audience with nothing of value.

Once you have a concept figured out, make sure you find a unique angle for the information. Draw inspiration from other authors, but also make your book your own by including special knowledge you have, linking it to a past experience, or otherwise approaching the subject in a new way. You want a book that engages readers because they can relate, but you also want your book to stand out from the competition.

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Originally from Michigan, skilled podcaster, blogger, author, and lecturer Scott Westerman maintains two websites: Keener13.com and RockAndRollRevisited.com. He also leads Ramirez and Clark in Florida. In addition, Michigan native Scott Westerman is a motivational speaker who discusses a range of topics, such as personal branding.

Having a personal brand is hugely beneficial. Not only does it make you more visible on social media, it also opens doors to valuable partnerships, better quality clients, and increased revenue. To reap all these benefits, make sure your personal brand sets you apart from the competition. It should clearly state who you are and the values you embrace, similar to a corporate brand. Personal brands also help you demonstrate how you express these values.

The process of creating a personal brand begins with figuring out who you are. Consider your motivations and the characteristics that you’ve been complimented on. Additionally, think of projects that don’t drain your energy and areas of work that you excel at. This requires a great deal of introspection and honesty about your personal strengths and weaknesses.

After you figure out what you are skilled at, think about what you want to be known for. Assess how your skills relate to your current career or the career you want. Then, think about where you’ll be in 5 or 10 years and how you want people to think of you. Set out the steps you need to follow to get there and incorporate your passion into your personal brand.

Throughout this process, remember that being genuine is key. Don’t try to make yourself fit into a brand you like. Instead, stay true to yourself and make an honest brand based on your actual qualities.

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A former resident of Michigan, Scott Westerman splits his time between blogging, lecturing, writing, and publishing. The CEO of Ramirez and Clark, he is also a regular motivational speaker and maintains both the Keener13.com and RockAndRollRevisited.com websites. In addition, Scott Westerman, formerly of Michigan, heads Down Syndrome Nation, where he promotes Down syndrome awareness and care across the country.

In the United States, roughly 6,000 births a year are Down syndrome births. As with any child, raising a kid with Down syndrome presents many challenges.

Kids with Down syndrome do best with routine, so establishing a daily routine for them makes a big difference. This should include basic activities, like brushing teeth. Since many children with Down syndrome struggle with remembering long lists of chores, give them small tasks. “Brushing teeth” is a better to-do than “brushing teeth, changing into pajamas, and getting in bed.” Break the list up.

Having a picture of this daily schedule also helps children with Down syndrome, since they can see what is expected of them. If they mess up, parents and guardians should avoid punishing them or scorning them. Kids with Down syndrome do not handle negative reinforcement well. Instead, saying things like “try again” garners a much more positive response from kids.

Finally, give the child the opportunity to make decisions as often as possible. This helps them feel empowered while still encouraging them to stick to activities that you approve of. For example, let them choose between apples and oranges for a snack. Both are healthy, but they still appreciate the opportunity to make the decision for themselves.

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Former Michigan resident Scott Westerman is the CEO and founder of Ramirez & Clark in Florida. Possessing upwards of four decades of telecommunications experience, the Michigan native has published several books on behalf of the business and is a published author himself. Scott Westerman has written both fiction and nonfiction books in varying genres as an author.

Part of the writing process involves figuring out when a manuscript is ready for submission or publication. Here are a few things to check before sharing your manuscript with the world:

1. Chronological inconsistencies

Mixing up dates is easy and happens to many writers as they flip between flashbacks or work on a memoir. Before sending your manuscript off, check for these inconsistencies by plotting your events on a timeline. Match up these dates with the dates you have written to see how your book progresses clearly.

2. Standard formatting

As you write, you may not adhere to standard manuscript formatting rules. According to these rules, your manuscripts must be in 12-point font and have a one-inch margin on the sides. Double-space the entire document and use either Arial, Courier, or Times New Roman font styles. This formatting keeps manuscripts looking professional and organized, so the focus is placed more on your content.

3. Characters’ Personalities

When a character, regardless of whether they are a bad or good character, cares about something, your readers also care about that thing. However, you want these characteristics to be a key part of your character. If you have a bad character who is loyal, for instance, make loyalty part of their personality instead of bringing it up as a way of driving the plot forward.

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MTV - Influencing Popular Culture for Over 40 Years

A blogger, lecturer, and podcaster hailing from Michigan, Scott Westerman founded both RockAndRollRevisited.com and Keener13.com. A former Michigan resident, Scott Westerman is passionate about popular culture and music from his childhood. One of the most influential channels in the popular culture and music world is MTV. Launched in 1981 with the song “Video Killed the Radio Star” from The Buggles, the television channel’s beginning went largely unnoticed. Initial broadcasts for the channel were to the New Jersey area since Warner Amex, the parent company to MTV, was skeptical of its success. This skepticism largely came from the fact that what MTV was doing was so new at the time. However, the channel quickly developed a pull in the music industry. It kick-started Cyndi Lauper’s career and helped Michael Jackson and Madonna drive their careers up into the mega-successes they are now. Prince also found a way of reaching mainstream white audiences via MTV’s significant platform. However, the channel was accused of a color barrier similar to the same accusations that plagued radio in the 1950s and 1960s. Despite these early challenges, MTV continued growing and having an impact. It adopted new genres of music, though it did focus more heavily on rock and roll when it first began and spawned several international channels as part of its globalization world. New concert series, music awards, and television shows also found a place at MTV as the channel expanded its reach into popular society.