Résumé
Rafael A. Ayuso
(512) 838-1456
Qualifications
35+ years of experience as a freelance translator/editor. English<>Spanish. Areas of specialization include:
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government documents and electoral ballot information
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financial services and insurance
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employee manuals and websites
Native Spanish speaker
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Born in Cuba, lived 17 years in Puerto Rico. Texas resident for nearly 40 years. Now living in North Carolina.
Experience
Current: Self-employed English <> Spanish translator, interpreter, writer and editor.
2006 – 2021: Manager of Communications, AARP-Texas. Responsible for directing external and internal communications for AARP’s 2.3 million members in Texas. Also translated various documents as part of my work and served as spokesperson for Spanish-language news media and host of Spanish-language podcast, ¿Sabes Qué?
1994 – 2006: Media Director & Web Editor, Consumers Union Southwest Regional Office (publisher of Consumer Reports. In addition to regular communications duties – conceptualized and developed an advocacy Spanish-language Web site – Poder del Consumidor.org. Edited work of contract translators and wrote original copy.
2000-2005: Feelancer for Univision Online, wrote articles in Spanish for the Miami-based Spanish TV network’s web pages during its early days (Miami, FL).
Examples of Projects and Clients
2018 – Current: University of Texas at Austin; translated “State of the University” speeches for the president of UT in 2020, 2021 and 2023; updated part of the university's website for this occasion, also translated documents for the Office of the Vice President, University Compliance Services and the university’s LBJ Wildflower Center.
2006 – 2024: AARP Texas; translated news releases, op eds, video scripts and fliers. Translated five guides called “Managing Someone Else’s Money in Texas” for Texas Appleseed and AARP. Also translated 2010 Texas Gubernatorial Guide (AARP).
2004 – Current: Freelance translator for City of San Marcos, City of Marble Falls, City of Lampasas, City of Lockhart and City of Pflugerville; work with these five cities regularly as translator of election ordinances and other city public information.
2000-2005: Feelancer for Univision Online, wrote articles in Spanish for the Miami-based Spanish TV network’s web page during its early days (Miami, FL).
2003 – 2006: Consumer Reports, Yonkers, NY, edited 150 Spanish files on auto and electronics evaluations for posting in Yahoo en español Web site. Also translated 9,000-word booklet on manufactured housing and several Consumer Reports news releases.
Education
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M.A. in mass communications, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK, 1983
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B.A. in journalism, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, 1979
Certificates and Continuing Education in Translation
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Certificate in Translation (English to Spanish), Graham School of General Studies, University of Chicago, 2014
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Certificate in Translation (English to Spanish), New York University, 2010
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Online course in recent updates to Spanish grammar by Real Academia Española, University of California at San Diego, 2021
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HUB (Historically Underutilized Business) Certification by State of Texas
Memberships
Member, Austin Area Translators and Interpreters Association
Member, American Translators Association
Software
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Wordfast Anywhere TM
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Microsoft Word, Excel
References
Available upon request. See this site for testimonials.