Sioux Falls Man & Former Aide to Senator John Thune Promoted to ARTBA Vice President, Development & National Field Operations

Contact:
Jeff Solsby 202-289-4434		Print this page

Washington, D.C. [Feb. 20, 2008]—The American Road and Transportation Builders Association (ARTBA) announced the promotion of Larry C. Russell to vice president, development & national field operations. Russell, a resident of Sioux Falls, first joined ARTBA as director of western operations in January 2005.

Russell leads a national team that serves as primary liaisons to ARTBA member firms and agencies, and represents the association at events across the country. The team is responsible for membership services, development, fundraising and grassroots training. These activities are key to ARTBA's efforts to build political and public support for increased federal transportation investments as part of the 2009 highway/transit bill in Congress.

Prior to joining ARTBA, Russell led grassroots and field operations in northern Ohio for the Bush-Cheney 2004 re-election campaign. Russell also served as executive director of South Dakota “Victory 2002 and 2004”—the grassroots arm of the state's Republican Party—at the request of Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.).

After earning a B.S. in social science from Black Hills State University in 1995, he spent five years on the staff of then Rep. Thune. He managed Thune's congressional office and staff in the western part of the state and later was field director and statewide economic development director.

Russell has extensive experience as a grassroots consultant and lobbyist. He has conducted numerous grassroots training seminars for the Republican National Committee and state Republican organizations. He also directed grassroots campaigns for the Anheuser-Busch Companies in seven states.

Previously, Russell was manager of business development for Cedar American Rail Holdings, Inc., in Sioux Falls. He served as the firm's primary liaison with state transportation departments and was responsible for business development, government and public affairs and special projects in eight states. He was involved in the development of North America's largest rail project in a century—a $2.5 billion expansion into Wyoming 's Powder River Basin.

He and his wife, Joey, have two daughters.

###

Established in 1902, ARTBA represents the U.S. transportation design and construction industry before Congress, the Executive Branch, federal agencies, news media and general public.