Russ has a vast background in business, leadership and management in both the government and private sectors. He is a three-time combat veteran, which includes two Bronze Star medals and the Defense Superior Service medal, among other awards. He is a retired US Army officer whose military career culminated at the White House as the Military Aide to the President of the United States where one of his roles was to maintain control and accountability for the Presidential Emergency Satchel, (known as the “football” carrying the US nuclear codes). Upon his retirement from military service, he was appointed to the Senior Executive Service as the Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary, US & Foreign Commercial Service, US Commerce Department.

Following his time with the US Government, Russ entered the private sector and worked a combined 21 years for a Fortune 10 and Fortune 125 Company. He managed a $3 billion real estate and general services portfolio followed by executive responsibility for the firm’s Enterprise Security, Business Resiliency, Cyber Security, Health, Safety, Environmental Affairs and Corporate Social Responsibility programs. He retired as a Senior Vice President, and he was an SEC level corporate officer and a member of the Senior Executive and Strategic Planning Committees.