#                                                     Alex O  Abell                                            

###                         Group Leader for Web Services, Application Development Division, IT Services Directorate                     

## Contact

abellao@ornl.gov

## Bio

#### Leading Digital Innovation at ORNL

As the **Group Leader for Web Services at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL)**, Alex Abell brings a forward-thinking approach to digital strategy. He's dedicated to enhancing ORNL's digital presence, focusing on showcasing groundbreaking research through advanced web infrastructure.

#### Pioneering Virtual Connections

At Lunchpool, Alex spearheaded initiatives to transform virtual online spaces, combating social isolation. His leadership in digital marketing and customer engagement strategies led to collaborations with high-profile clients, from non-profits large and small, like Muse Knoxville and The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to large enterprises like Spotify, American Business Journals, and Alexion.

#### Career Highlights and Key Contributions

                    - Web Testing/Optimization:   Worked with clients like Verizon, Expedia, Bose, and Bank of America to develop innovative web solutions to improve customer interaction and online services, fostering better financial management experiences for users.
                    - Strategic Data Visualization : Led initiatives for integrating Ashley Furniture sales data with digital platforms, enhancing the customer journey and boosting sales figures.
                    - University Recruitment Efforts : For prestigious US Universities like Villanova University, University of Notre Dame, and Michigan State University, played a crucial role in optimizing their web properties, leading to improved user engagement and conversion rates.

Alex's journey is marked by leveraging technology to enhance user experiences and foster community engagement, making him an invaluable asset to ORNL.

## Professional Experience

                    - Group Leader - Web Services, Oak Ridge National Laboratory (Nov 2023 - Present)                       - Steering a team of 30 web development professionals in enhancing ORNL's digital footprint.
                      - Focused on showcasing ORNL's groundbreaking research through robust web infrastructure.
                    - Founder, CEO & Lunch Break Enforcer, Lunchpool (Apr 2019 - Nov 2023)                       - Grew a startup focused on virtual online meeting spaces, addressing social isolation.
                      - Led a remote team, securing projects with renowned organizations and achieving significant revenue growth.
                    - Senior Roles in Marketing and Business Intelligence                       - Prior roles at Ashley Furniture Industries and other organizations, emphasizing data-driven marketing, customer engagement, and conversion optimization.

## Awards

                    - 1st Place at 2018 Startup Weekend Tampa Bay.
                    - 2021 Synapse Innovation Award.

## Education

                    - Bachelor of Business Administration, Marketing, Valdosta State University.
                    - Six Sigma Green Belt Certification, Villanova University.
                    - Startup School, Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations, Y Combinator.
                    - Full Stack Web Development Certification, freeCodeCamp.

## Professional Service

                    - Volunteered on the Board of Directors for Ad 2 Tampa Bay, contributing to government relations, membership outreach, and technology implementation.

## Specialized Equipment

                    - Expertise in utilizing advanced digital marketing and web analytics tools.
                    - Proficient in using modern web development technologies and software.

## Other Publications

Why You Should Get to Know Your Colleagues: The Importance of Workplace Relationships*via Alex's Break to Connect Linkedin Newsletter*Made for Knoxville: Lunchpool makes virtual workflow interesting*via NBC News (WBIR 10)*

Knoxville man creates virtual rooms for your next function*via CBS News (WVLT 8)*

Are you plorking hard or hardly plorking?*via Alex's Break to Connect Linkedin Newsletter*

 

## Key Links

View Alex's profile on Linkedin

Read Alex's Break to Connect Blog

## Organizations

Oak Ridge National Laboratory

Information Technology Services Directorate

Application Development

Oak Ridge National Laboratory				1 Bethel Valley Road				Oak Ridge, TN 37830

(+1) 865.576.7658

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