In this position, he is responsible for writing about the scientific and technological developments at ORNL for publication in newspapers and trade journals. Before joining ORNL, Walli worked as a technical writer for Analysas Corporation.
He received a bachelor's degree in journalism with a minor in economics from East Tennessee State University in 1981 and worked as copy editor and reporter for several East Tennessee newspapers. In 1981, he received the ETSU Economics Department Award and was two-time recipient of the Chanticleer Award for excellence in editorial writing from ETSU Communications Department. He received the Tri-City Metro Advertising Federation Ad Award for photography in 1984.
He and his wife, Kelley, live in Knoxville with their son, Kendall.
ORNL, one of DOE's multiprogram national research and development facilities, is managed by Martin Marietta Energy Systems, a Lockheed Martin company, which also manages the Oak Ridge K-25 Site and the Oak Ridge Y-12 Plant.