Rotary International District 5170

Russ is a second generation Californian, and has been a member of the Sunnyvale Rotary Club since 1983. At the club level he has served on the board five times, and was the club president 1993-1994. For the last several years, he has chaired the Rotary Foundation Committee, and has been honored twice as the Rotarian of the Year.

At the District level Russ has served as Assistant Governor, and most recently (1999-2004) has been the chair of the Scholarship Committee. Russ, and Mary Ann and son Kevin are Paul Harris Fellows.

Russ graduated from Cabrillo College with an AA degree and California State University at Chico with a Bachelor’s degree in Marketing in 1966. Russ enlisted into the United States Army and graduated from Officer Candidate School where he was commissioned a Second Lieutenant. His first duty assignment was in Seoul Korea, and he and Mary Ann (whom he met at Chico) were married there. He later was stationed at the Presidio of San Francisco and from there transitioned into civilian life in 1969 when he joined Allstate Insurance Company.

Russ owns his own Insurance Agency and has won many awards over the years, but this year was honored as Allstate Insurance Company’s “Volunteer of the Year” for his work in Rotary. When not involved with Rotary or his Insurance Agency, Russ and Mary Ann are either serving at their church, or camping in their motor home. Russ plays the drums during the contemporary service at West Valley Presbyterian Church and serves as Chairman of the Worship Music and Drama Department. They have been camping with the same group for over twenty years, and also belong to the Rotary RV Fellowship.