Russ is a 1985 graduate of Georgia Southern University. He joined the firm as a certified public accountant in 1988 and became a partner in 1990. Specializing in income taxation and in entity selection and classification, Russ has served many clients in the areas of individual, business and fiduciary income taxation, as well as in business consulting and financial statement preparation. His professional associations include the Georgia State Board of Accountancy, the Georgia Society of CPAs and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. He has served on the board of directors and as treasurer of numerous nonprofit organizations, including the Statesboro Rotary Club, the Statesboro Mid Day Optimist Club, United Way of Southeast Georgia, the Statesboro-Bulloch County Chamber of Commerce, Forest Heights Country Club, and the Statesboro Arts Council. He has also served as the Finance Chair of the Statesboro First United Methodist Church, and as President of the Statesboro Mid Day Optimist Club and of the Statesboro Sigma Chi Alumni Association. Russ is married to Joy Graham Lanier of Springfield, Georgia. Russ and Joy have one daughter, Ashlyn.