Russell

Donald B. (Don) Russell is chairman emeritus, Vanir Construction Management, Inc. He holds a bachelor’s degree in systems engineering/industrial psychology from Virginia Tech and a master’s in industrial and systems engineering from Georgia Tech. He is the co-founder of Vanir, which has offices throughout the U.S. and the Middle East. Don has been instrumental in developing the Construction Managers Association of America (CMAA) ANSI-Certified Construction Manager (CCM) program.

He also is one of two commissioners from the CMAA to the Accreditation Board for Engineering Technologies (ABET), the accrediting body for more than 3,400 higher education programs in engineering and other technical disciplines worldwide. In 1983, Don was president of a utilities partnership that became the largest and most profitable private sector owner/operator of high-deliverability, natural gas storage facilities in the U.S. These facilities, developed by Don and his team, play a key role in maintaining the integrity of the nation’s energy supply system. He is a fellow of the CMAA College of Fellows, a Certified Construction Manager, and the recipient of the Aerospace Museum of California Distinguished Service Award.

He and Linda have been married 35 years, have two children, and three college-age grandchildren.