Russ has been a member of the Nanaimo Airport Commission Board of Directors since 2005 and he currently holds the position of the Board Vice Chair. He was nominated to the Board by the Nanaimo Chamber of Commerce. Russ is a Vice President and Manager of the Nanaimo branch of the Canadian Western Bank. He is a Past President of the Greater Nanaimo Chamber of Commerce and an Honorary Lieutenant Colonel of the 748 (Nanaimo) Communications Squadron. He brings to the NAC business knowledge and financial acumen.