ÁùÉ«Íø

 Russell was born and raised in Philadelphia and relocated with his family to California when he was ten years old. Russ grew up in the restaurant industry and worked at a young age learning the entry level positions in a restaurant. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree from The Collins College at Cal Poly Pomona with an emphasis on Restaurant and Business Management. During that time, Russ worked with Bloomin Brands Restaurant Group for 15 years, six years with Outback Steakhouse and nine years with Fleming's Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar.

He was promoted to partner of the flagship Newport Beach location at the age of 25, the youngest in company history. During his time as a partner with Fleming's, he was proud to accomplish his Court of Master Sommeliers Certification, was included in OC Metro's 40 Under 40 Annual Issue in 2012, and ended his tenure with Fleming's as a Partner of the Year in 2010, 2011, and 2012. Russ decided to leave his role to peruse his own venture in February of 2013.

Russ acquired Vine Restaurant in San Clemente and has brought new life to a local’s favorite, while doubling annual sales at Vine and capturing a handful of awards like OC Registers Top 10 Restaurants in Orange County. In 2016, Russ opened his second restaurant named Ironwood in Laguna Hills, designing the concept from scratch. Shortly after opening, Ironwood was named the Best New Restaurant in Orange County by the Golden Foodies in 2016. Russ and his partners opened a third concept called Olea in Newport Beach in late 2017, another wine country inspired restaurant with a new look and design. In 2018, all three restaurants made it onto Brad Johnsons Top 75 places to eat. Russ was named Restauranteur of the Year by the Orange County Business Journal in 2018 and awarded Restauranteur of the Year in 2019 by the Golden Foodie Awards.

In 2020, his company acquired Sapphire and The Pantry located in Laguna Beach and sparked new life into the property that was originally opened in 2004. About two years later Russ and his team created a concept called Bloom and opened it in next to the historic Mission in San Juan Capistrano, a growing small town in Orange County. The newest concept named Parlor was then developed in 2024 and opened across the street from Russ’ first restaurant, Vine in San Clemente.

Russ enjoys spending time with his with his wife Sarah, two daughters Brooklynn Ryan and Jolee Ann and his son Russell Michael. Russ is a board member and past President for the hospitality industry’s California Restaurant Association Orange County Chapter. He enjoys donating his time to help support the growth of the industry and future generations to come.