Susan O'Brien is a LofaBed customer and a professional journalist. About a year ago she started writing a monthly column on condo living, and had it published in her local newspaper in New Hampshire. Then she told me about it...and I had an epiphany: Why not attach her columns to my website for the whole world to see?!?

First of all, the LofaBed is perfect for small space condo living. It knocks down for easy carrying...it has storage in the base to hold what small closets can't handle...it serves as both sofa AND bed for when space is at a premium...and most of all, it offers a truly comfortable sitting and sleeping experience. In other words, CONDOS and LOFABEDS were made for each other!

This, then, is Susan O'Brien's page. Her biography, below, serves to establish her background as a journalist, and the accompanying blog, The Condo Column, is well worth reading for anyone interested in learning the secrets of making the most out of living in and owning a condominium apartment.

Mitch Wapen

Go to the Condo Column

Susan O'Brien has owned condominiums in Boston's Back Bay (Massachusetts) and North Conway, New Hampshire, USA. As a family venture to support an elderly relative, she co-owned a condominium in Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA. Today she owns two condominiums in the oldest section of Quebec City, QC, Canada.

Currently she is the developer of THE CONDO COLUMN, a monthly feature in the real estate section of the SUN newspapers of New Hampshire and Maine. In 2009, she created and initiated this column for condominium owners facing a dearth of consumer information. For three years she contributed regular columns to the EMPLOYMENT TIMES of New England, focusing on business trends and careers. Prior to that she was a featured columnist for the award-winning JOB FIND of the Boston HERALD daily newspaper.

She started a journalism career in Duluth, Minnesota, winning the Associated Press Spot News Coverage award during her first year as a general assignment reporter. She became associate editor of a food industry trade magazine before joining the Minnesota House of Representatives, Office of Legislative Research. During her year there she was honored as contributing the most outstanding session report to the Legislature, selected from all Representatives and their Staffs. In Boston she was an assistant to the Commissioner of the Department of Health and Hospitals, out of the Office of the Mayor. During this time she contributed articles on health issues to the Department's Newsletter. She then joined the University of New Hampshire as State Coordinator of a program to enroll AFDC (welfare) mothers in degree-granting programs; she proved a one-year savings to the taxpayers of the state of over $1 million.

She has served in a variety of capacities at the John F. Kennedy Library, Boston. With her husband, broadcaster Ted O'Brien, she wrote and co-produced the documentary "Dave Powers an JFK." She also served as the Education Department's Coordinator of the Distinguished American Program, bringing major principals of the Kennedy White House to the Library for educational and honorary events. During this time, she regularly contributed articles to the JFK Library Newsletter.

She is also the co-producer and writer of the exhibition film, "Natural Harmonies," which traveled to New York, Dallas, Atlanta, and Manchester (New Hampshire,) to accompany the Barbizon paintings and Exhibit.

In the 1990's, as a consultant to the Women's Educational and Industrial Union of Boston, O'Brien introduced advanced career development classes. She started the successful Career Management Systems for professionals, serving clients in the United States and internationally. During this time she was chosen as the chief career on-air advisor to the innovative local Boston program, "The Job Show." She appeared regularly in the media as a business and careers expert, including an appearance on MSNBC national television. She created and presented private career development seminars at the Harvard Club of Boston, and was the only career management professional selected by BankBoston to provide seminars for departing employees at the time of the major bank merger with Fleet.

Currently she is a featured presenter for HealthCare Review of New England.

In July 2010, O'Brien will be a presenter at the Sinclair Lewis Literary Society Conference in Minnesota.

She holds a master's degree in non-profit administration from Antioch University, and is a member of the Harvard Club of Boston.