Bio
Benjamin Mellon has been the embedded information technology support technician for the US ITER Project Office at Oak Ridge National Laboratory since 2018. In this role, he manages IT software and hardware across the US ITER Project. This includes desktop support for staff, IT solutions for engineering computer-aided design, audio-visual needs for communicating with the international ITER organization in France, and testing and analysis of upgrades and operational capabilities in collaboration with his counterparts in France.
Ben started his career at ORNL as an intern working in the creative media department providing photography support to the laboratory after completing his associates degree from Pellissippi State Community College. At the end of his internship, Ben was hired as an IT technologist with ORNL's Solution Center and spent four years providing support to ORNL staff across the lab in troubleshooting, diagnosing, and resolving IT issues. The special assignments that he fulfilled in this position included IT support for the ORNL's Laboratory Director's Office.
Ben also serves in the Tennessee Air National Guard as a Cyber Defense Operations Craftsman (IT specialist), a role he has fulfilled since 2007. His duties include supporting information technology systems both at the base and in the field during deployments. The IT-related systems he sustains include software, network systems, infrastructure, electrical circuits, and audio-visual equipment.
Earlier in his career, Ben served as a public affairs photojournalist specializing in many different forms of mass communication Including photography, videography, journalism, local media collaboration, and social media. During this time he also served as computer systems administrator focusing on maintaining the systems and data generated for media support for the Tennessee Air National Guard.
Ben earned a B.S. degree in information technology from Western Governors University. He also holds associate of applied science degrees in electronics systems technology from the Community College of the US Air Force and in media technology from Pellissippi State Community College.
Education
B.S. Information Technology, Western Governors University
A.A.S Media Technology, Pellissippi State Community College
A.A.S Electronics Systems Technology, Community College of the Air Force
Certifications:
Comptia - A+, Network+, Security+, Project+, CSIS, CIOS
Axelos - ITIL V4
LPI - Linux Essentials
AWS - Certified Cloud Practitioner