Market Square Ventures

Committed to fostering the growth of early-stage startups, particularly in the Southeast and Appalachian regions. Our focus is on tech and tech-enabled companies that show high potential for innovation and market disruption.

Key Startups Funded:

▸ 𝐀𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐬.𝐚𝐢 - This deep-tech software company provides groundbreaking AI governance solutions that enable AI/ML operators to measure the impact of training content, correct past errors, and ensure trust in AI operations. Their platform is designed to enhance the reliability and efficiency of neural networks by offering real-time insights into content impact and model performance.

▸ 𝐕𝐞𝐭𝐕𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐟𝐢 - Based in Nashville, VetVerifi is revolutionizing the veterinary industry with its innovative software that streamlines practice management. Their platform integrates advanced technology to improve operational efficiency, enhance patient care, and support veterinary professionals in delivering top-notch services.

▸ 𝐃𝐚𝐢𝐥𝐲 𝐂𝐫𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐡 - Known for its patented sprouting process, Daily Crunch is a Nashville-based snack company that focuses on creating nutrient-dense, mental health-boosting snacks. Their products are designed to support cognitive function and overall well-being, making healthy snacking both delicious and beneficial.

Investor / Limited Partner

Oak Ridge National Laboratory

I head the Web Services Group, made up of five specialized teams of web developers, UX practitioners, and web services professionals. Together, we are responsible for enhancing ORNL's digital footprint through the development and maintenance of secure, scalable web applications that support the laboratory's pivotal research efforts.

ORNL is renowned for its groundbreaking work in supercomputing, advanced manufacturing, materials science, neutron science, clean energy, and national security. Our digital initiatives are integral to showcasing and supporting ORNL's contributions to these critical areas.

Key Responsibilities:

▸ Lead a multidisciplinary team of developers, UX practitioners, and web services professionals.

▸ Oversee the creation and maintenance of robust, secure web applications that enhance ORNL’s digital infrastructure.

▸ Support ORNL’s high-impact research in areas such as nuclear energy and cancer research through advanced digital solutions.

▸ Collaborate with various departments to address the evolving digital needs of the laboratory.

Group Leader - Web Services

Lunchpool

Bootstrapped and managed all aspects of the award-winning startup, with a mission to bridge the gap between digital technology and social interaction. Led a remote team of 12 FT employees and 6 contractors to provide the planning, support, and technology for companies and people to create online experiences that are engaging, communicative, purposeful, and connective.
 
▸ Won numerous awards – from 1st place at 2018 Startup Weekend Tampa Bay to a 2021 Synapse Innovation Award – for innovative use of virtual online meeting spaces and leveraging technology to tackle the growing problem of social isolation in the modern world.

▸ Leveraged expertise in digital marketing analytics and testing / optimization to grow the company to service 200+ clients and earn $2.4M in revenues without taking on outside investment.

▸ Created, analyzed, and optimized Lunchpool’s website and drove traffic with a combination of SEM, social media marketing, and earned media, including numerous media write-ups and interviews.

▸ Implemented a sophisticated lead tracking and customer engagement system that enabled progressive profiling of site visitors, automated CRM population and follow-up sequence, and rapid human outreach.

▸ Developed a model for building a fully engaged, empowered, and respected virtual team, including consistent team meetings, feedback sessions, and development-focused one-to-ones.

▸ Secured and managed projects with some of the world’s most respected organizations, including Alexion Pharmaceuticals / AstraZeneca, Boy Scouts of America, American Psychological Association, California State University, Harvard University, City of Knoxville, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Sodexo, Wedbush Securities, Yelp, and Spotify.

Founder, CEO & Lunch Break Enforcer

Ashley Furniture Industries

Performed advanced data analysis to deliver insights that enabled the organization to retain its position as the #1 home furnishings market leader. Transformed sales and marketing data into actionable insights to support performance improvement in customer acquisition, conversion, sales, and retention. Created unique data models for company use cases.
 
▸ Created an interactive dashboard that compared digital and brick and mortar sales, providing insights that enhanced marketing / merchandising strategy and, in one case, increased key category sales 50% in 2 months.

▸ Guided an initiative to in-house the marketing analytics function, including implementing Google Analytics 360, a future-proof enterprise solution for measuring and tracking website data that saved hundreds of thousands of dollars while introducing powerful new ways to gather marketing insights from the customer journey.

▸ Built out dashboards for eCommerce and merchandising teams in Power BI using SQL, Azure, and DAX, integrating manufacturing data stored in legacy Oracle system with web data in a modern CMS to quickly identify anomalies, compare sales between categories and designs, and track web merchandising performance.

• Travelled to corporate HQ to consult with the supply chain team and fix a costly problem with excess inventory. Improved demand forecasting and saved the company $20M by partnering in investigating, quantifying, and solving the problem.

Sr. Business Intelligence (BI) Analyst

Bisk

Recruited to establish and manage a marketing optimization function for the online learning services provider. Developed test plans and optimized digital marketing assets for academic institutions. Conducted A/B split tests to measure outcomes of online experiments in market and maximize enrollments from online advertising spend.
 
▸ Built and led a world-class optimization and testing team, which set up A/B tests for marketing websites of major academic institutions, including Villanova, Michigan State University, and Notre Dame.

▸ Analyzed and optimized a marketing site for Villanova University, delivering strategic shifts in the user experience that resulted in a 40% lift in leads generated from the page.

▸ Developed a comprehensive lead generation process for the Corporate Partnerships team, including building and iterating a new landing page that delivered a 3x increase in generated leads with an average return of $30K+ per new account.

Head of Conversion Rate Optimization (CRO)

IQPC

Managed all aspects of the marketing function for a division of the globally positioned event company. Led a marketing team to oversee complete bottom-line responsibility for a portfolio of elite networking events. Managed the marketing campaign lifecycle for up to 10 concurrent events, including P&L management, communications and PR outreach, coordinating website development, and supporting sponsorship sales and attendee recruitment teams.
 
▸ Earned a series of rapid promotions, moving from Senior Marketing Manager to Director of Marketing for a newly developed Cyber Security and IT Events Division.

▸ Developed a marketing campaign that resulted in C-Suite executives from numerous F500 companies attending an Executive Exchange event for “Chief Marketing Technologists,” resulting in $230K in sponsorship revenue.

▸ Developed and executed a portfolio of highly effective, high return marketing strategies by utilizing innovative technologies to optimize and refine online and offline direct marketing tactics.

▸ Recognized for building and inspiring the marketing team to provide top notch cross-functional support to production, operations, sponsorship, talent management, recruiting, and executive onboarding teams.

Director of Marketing, IT Division

MECLABS Institute

Managed optimization efforts for 10 simultaneous projects as part of a $12M research partnership with a major telecommunications client. Supported strategy for a portfolio of globally respected enterprise clients. Assisted research teams with experimental design, long-term optimization strategy, and in-depth analysis of marketing funnels.
 
▸ Analyzed Verizon’s qualitative customer feedback data to determine pain points in the checkout process. Set up A/B funnel experiment to test ‘express checkout,’ which delivered a 34% lift, with a 96% confidence level, and projected $1.2M quarterly revenue increase.

▸ Developed a standardized project methodology to ensure A/B/n and multivariate testing aligned to company objectives and influenced client KPIs, such as improved customer acquisition, strengthened retention, and reduced post-sales support.

▸ Increased a major healthcare client’s annual revenues $5.4M by analyzing funnel metrics to identify and effectively address an opportunity to enhance user experiences.

▸ Created a company-adopted strategy that enhanced the firm’s ability to optimize the websites and digital marketing efforts of Fortune 500 clients, including Google, Capital One, Wells-Fargo, Verizon, American Express, and Expedia.

Optimization Manager

Verizon

Served in both customer facing and sales leadership roles. Trained and coached a team of 5 employees to exceed challenging monthly sales quotas by cultivating a culture of service. Expanded reach and sales through local marketing initiatives, with a focus on securing lucrative B2B sales by building awareness among potential small and medium business customers.
 
▸ Recognized for consistently exceeding monthly sales targets by 15%+, including ranking #28 for of 600+ regional sales associates for delivering 156% to monthly target.

▸ Piloted a B2B outreach program that resulted in a new account with 15 lines of service and a $40K per year account expansion.

Retail Sales Representative

Abell Multimedia

Built the boutique marketing firm from the ground up to provide SMB and non-profit clients with a full spectrum of multimedia solutions, from turnkey websites to corporate branding identity packages. Sourced and led a nationally dispersed team of creative professional in order to meet client demand while maintaining exceptional levels of quality and service excellence.
 
▸ Created comprehensive branding and marketing strategy (logo design, web development, social media marketing, PR) for GA Solar, an initiative that elevated brand perceptions and resulted in the solar leasing company winning a $4.3M deal.

▸ Produced pro-bono designs for local breast cancer awareness non-profit that helped secure 18+ sponsors and $24K in donations.

▸ Developed brand assets (i.e. logo and POP display), eCommerce platform, and social media engagement campaign for a small local retailer, which propelled a dramatic increase in sales and enabled business expansion.

▸ Produced a full suite of branding, marketing, and messaging for a local transportation company, enabling the early-stage start-up to secure a business-critical contract. Subsequently helped the business rapidly grow their Facebook page to 9K+ engaged followers.

Marketing Consultant, Founder

I am passionate about harnessing technology to bring people together and make a positive impact on the world. Through my work at ORNL and my early-stage startup investments, I aim to tackle the world's big problems, from advancing scientific research in areas like nuclear energy and cancer research to driving innovation in the tech startups that will transform the future.

My experience investing in startups and successfully exiting my own company gives me a unique perspective, fueling my dedication to making a meaningful difference. Over my career, I’ve had the opportunity to collaborate with clients like Spotify, Verizon Wireless, Harvard University, and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

Outside of work, I love exploring new technologies and trends, always driven by the belief that technology can create positive change and connect communities.

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