Russ is a native Tulsan who arrived in Stillwater in 1974 to attend Oklahoma State University. Finding it hard to decide whether to major in engineering, architecture or computer science, his father urged him to major in business and explore his other interests throughout life. Russ started his first software company in the early 80’s while working as an employee of OSU. During the ensuing 40 years, Russ became a serial entrepreneur and software product inventor. In the software industry, his forte is the development of solutions that integrate existing and emerging large-scale information technology. Even though his customers have always been outside Oklahoma, his family chose to stay in Stillwater and become part of the community. Russ’ love of Stillwater, and fascination with solving complex integration problems, underlies his 30 year commitment to restore historical buildings in downtown Stillwater. The challenge of infusing century-old buildings with art, architecture and design elements from around the world became his hobby – as well as a concrete example of what he enjoys in the software world. Russ co-founded HostBridge Technology in 2000 and served as CEO until August 2022 when the company was acquired by Broadcom. Russ currently serves as a Distinguished Engineer in Broadcom’s Mainframe Software Division. He also serves as a Director of Simmons First National Corporation, and the OSU Research Foundation.