Cordell currently serves as Technical Director for 3M Commercial Solutions Division (CSD), a group responsible for products enhancing some of the world's leading brands. Examples include graphic and architectural films for advertising and decoration, as well as cleaning and surface finish solutions for floors, glass, and food service. Cordell has responsibility for leading a large organization of researchers in the USA, Japan, Germany, Brazil, Singapore, and numerous other countries to offer compelling brand, sustainability and productivity solutions to commercial markets. Owing to the diversity of products offered by CSD, This involves an appropriate technical grasp of adhesives, films, optics, imaging, abrasives, surface chemistry, and advanced polymer processing.
Cordell earned B.S. from Florida A&M University in 1998, and a Ph.D. from the University of Minnesota in 2003, each in Chemical Engineering. After joining 3M, he worked in the Consumer Business Group, first as a product developer for consumer adhesives and tapes, then in various management roles within Stationery Products and Home Care laboratories. He then joined the Safety & Graphics Business Group in 2012, taking on a number of managerial assignments in research and development prior to his current role.