Since the start of his financial career in 1982, Russ has specialized in helping individuals accumulate and preserve wealth for retirement and beyond.  

Russ is a Financial Advisor/Branch Manager for Raymond James Financial Services and has the distinct opportunity to serve clients who are well established as well as those who are just beginning to plan for their future.

Russ began his financial advisory career in 2000 and in 2003, he and his wife, Amy, decided it was time to move back to Ada to be closer to family. Both being Ada High and East Central University graduates, it was wonderful to be back home for their boys to continue their legacy. At this time, Russ began employment with The First National Bank (now Vision Bank) as Financial Advisor for their investment division, which later affiliated with Raymond James in 2004. In 2021, Russ’ career took another change as business owner. On June 25, 2021, he purchased the investment division from Vision Bank and formed 836 Investments, LLC. Russ continues to offer investment services through Raymond James Financial Services Independent Contractors Division. This has been a long-term dream for Russ and is very exciting for him.

Russ manages investment assets for retail and commercial clients in Oklahoma, Texas, Kansas, Missouri, Idaho, Florida, Arkansas, Arizona and California, holding various investment certifications including Series 7, 63, 65, 9 & 10.  He also holds an Oklahoma insurance license and is a member of the Financial Services Institute (FSI), an advocacy and membership organization for independent broker/dealers and independent financial advisors. In 2019, Russ obtained his AIF (Accredited Investment Fiduciary) certification.

A native Oklahoman, Russ was born in Oklahoma City and moved to Ada in 1972 with his family when his father became the pastor of a local Southern Baptist church.  After one year at the University of Oklahoma, where he was a member of the 1978 Co-Big 8 and 1979 Orange Bowl championship football team, he returned to Ada and graduated from East Central University in May 1982 with a Bachelor of Science in Accounting.  Upon graduation, he began his career as a staff auditor for KPMG Peat Marwick in Oklahoma City.

In 1984, Russ returned to Ada as Internal Auditor for The First National Bank & Trust Company of Ada (now Vision Bank).  He was promoted to Vice President and Controller where he had responsibilities for all financial operations of the $150 million national bank, with additional responsibilities of accounting, cash management, investments, insurance, risk management and Asset/Liability management.

Russ later served as Administrator for the Division of Fiscal Management and Resources for the Ponca City Public Schools where he had oversight for all financial, payroll, child nutrition, maintenance, and transportation for the 8,000+ pupil public school district. He subsequently accepted the Chief Financial Officer position of Staff One, Inc. a professional employer organization, in Durant, Oklahoma before beginning his financial advisory career in 2000.

Russ previously served as a trustee for the East Central University Foundation and has been on the Chamber of Commerce board of directors in Ada, Durant and Ponca City. 

Russ and his wife, Amy, a retired teacher for the Ada City Schools, are members of the Ada First Baptist Church where he serves, is actively involved in the youth activities, and is an ordained deacon.  They have two sons, Jesse and Joel. Jesse is an attorney who serves as the Secretary of the Interior for the Muscogee (Creek) Nation in Okmulgee, and wife, Kayla, is a Nurse Practitioner. Joel has completed his Masters of Divinity from Truett Seminary on the Baylor University campus and is married to Cara, who recently completed her doctoral work in higher education administration at Baylor.