Professional Experience
I have 25+ years of experience leading digital marketing programs and managing websites for companies of all sizes, ranging from Fortune 50 consumer brands and healthcare organizations to government agencies and small/medium businesses. I have experience working from the corporate side, agency side, and as an independent consultant.
Since 2012, I have focused exclusively on healthcare, with leadership roles at three health systems, Humana, and two healthcare-focused digital agencies. I’ve been responsible for large-scale website development and management, performance marketing, social media, online reputation, and paid digital campaigns.
Before healthcare, I spent 9+ years at advertising agencies working on large digital projects for clients such as GE Appliances, Lennox International, GE Aviation, Commonwealth of Kentucky, regional/local companies, and non-profits.
You can see a full rundown of my career on LinkedIn.
How I Got Started
I graduated from Western Kentucky University in May 1999 with an Advertising degree and planned to work in a traditional advertising agency. I joined a small three-person marketing shop that was starting to build websites as the Internet was becoming mainstream.
I quickly became interested in building websites and taught myself web development. That led to my second job, where I was hired as a full-time web developer for a software development company. I eventually realized that I wasn’t cut out to be a developer, and in 2004, I transitioned into the digital strategy, project management, and leadership side of things.
Throughout my career, I have managed dozens of my own websites and blogs as a “copy-and-paste coder.” This experience, along with my early experience as a full-time developer, has been invaluable for me because it’s helped me better understand the website development process, and I can guide others through it.
Teaching & Training
I have a curious mind and enjoy learning new things and sharing what I’ve learned with others. I have taught 100+ digital marketing-related classes at local universities and online. These classes/seminars were geared toward executives, small business owners, and professionals. I have also done quite a bit of individual training and coaching.
Woodworking
I’ve loved creating and figuring out how to do things for as long as I can remember. My favorite pastime is woodworking. I got started in 2005 when I wanted to build my own poker table. I found plans online, borrowed my uncle’s tools/garage, and created my first poker table. Since then, I have completed dozens of projects, including poker tables, bookshelves, tables, and more.
In 2018, I was introduced to scroll saw art, and I started a side business, Made By Jay Lane, where I make custom 3D wood art, Bourbon barrel heads, signs, and more in my spare time.
Other Fun
In addition to my woodworking projects, I’ve found other fun things to work on, including a book I wrote for new dads, my Video Gaming Dad blog, and several video gaming-related ventures.