Russ is the CEO of The Sequoyah Fund, Inc., a Native CDFI (Community Development Financial Institution) located in Cherokee, NC. The Sequoyah Fund offers commercial loans, training, consulting, and coaching to small businesses located on the Qualla Boundary and the seven westernmost counties of North Carolina. In addition to lending and training, The Sequoyah Fund provides support services for Cherokee artists, fundraising programs for nonprofits and youth organizations, shared office space to local businesses, a savings program and financial literacy education for local children, and youth entrepreneurship education and summer camp. The Sequoyah Fund also develops, publishes, and certifies facilitators in the REAL Entrepreneurship program. REAL Entrepreneurship is an experiential learning-based curriculum used in 43 states and 9 foreign countries.- - - - - -After years as an entrepreneur, consultant, and professional speaker, I took over a company that had been the victim of fraud and embezzlement by a former executive. At the time I stepped into the role of CEO, the company was near insolvency. During a three year turnaround, we not only reached financial stability, but we started three new ventures and acquired another organization.While guiding The Sequoyah Fund, Inc. back to financial health, I worked closely with a "rescue team" that included our attorneys, accounting firm, and auditors. I was also heavily involved in the criminal investigation and prosecution of my predecessor. This work involved the FBI, US Attorney's Office, and the IRS.I am still an active, professional speaker, but my focus has changed to speaking with companies and associations about how to use entrepreneurial thinking to recover from downturns, catastrophes, and near-death experiences.
Listed skills include Entrepreneurship, Training, Public Speaking, Coaching, and 27 others.
