News: Staff Spotlight - RUSS

It is no secret that Sports and Recreation has undergone a positive and impactful transformation since Russ took the helm in 2023. His approach to serving the community is rooted in direct action. While it is easy to get bogged down in the details in his position, Russ knows exactly how to keep the ball moving forward. His unofficial motto is "let's make a decision while we are together." This belief that we are the master of the details, rather than allowing ourselves to be limited by the details, is what makes Russ and his team so successful.

A true connoisseur of any and all sports, Russ started this position in a time when community and recreation was limited due to the pandemic. With unyielding effort, he has tripled the size of our staff through his leadership. By growing the team, Russ has expanded Sports and Recreation's capacity to serve the community and it truly shows: Now, Seward glows even during the dark winter months. Russ has worked to foster an employee culture that is fun, loving and caring. He carries the wisdom that the atmosphere enjoyed by his staff will be carried to the community that they serve.

In his free time, Russ has an adventurous spirit and a craving for connection. His other unofficial motto is, "you have to take risks!" His risk-taking heart has paddled him from Homer to Seward, hiked across the alpine of Patagonia and pack-rafted down many of our fine water systems here on the Kenai Peninsula. Russ is proud dog father to a beautiful Golden Retriever we know as Marty. We think he calls him Marty, too. Russ has a fondness for baseball and statistics, and knows the rules to any game you can name.

If you see Russ today, or any day for that matter, be sure to thank him for all the effort our town is lucky enough to experience!