Growing Up

Ronny was born in 1964 to Roy & Ruth Russell. He grew up in this house on Iris Street SW and attended Woodmeade Elementary and Brookhaven Middle schools then graduated from Austin High School in 1983. He returned to Decatur after graduating from Auburn University and he and his family now live in his childhood home on Iris Street (above).

Education

BEE (Bachelor of Electrical Engineering), 1990
Auburn University

MBA (Master of Business Administration), 1994
University of Alabama at Birmingham

Employment
Madison Mobile Storage, Inc., 2002-present
Accounts Manager

Thermal Insulation, Inc., 2001-2002
Estimation Engineer

Rankin Insurance, Inc., 2000-2001
Insurance Agent

D&S Consulting Engineers, Inc., 1992-2000
Electrical / Controls Engineer

PUBLIC SERVICE

Ronny first became interested in Public Office at a young age. His grandfather, James W. Russell, was Campaign Manager for Bill Dukes during his first two successful elections as Mayor of Decatur. During Dukes' first run, Ronny started a "Bill Dukes for Mayor" Satellite Headquarters at his summer day care center. He made campaign signs and buttons and persuaded all but one of his classmates to vote for Mr. Dukes. The election win was sealed when Ronny convinced his grandfather to have Mr. Dukes drop by his "satellite headquarters" and make a campaign speech. The rest, as they say, is history.

PASSION FOR DECATUR

" I WANT DECATUR TO BE THE BEST THAT IT CAN POSSIBLY BE. "

Until recently, Decatur has experienced a prosperous past few years. Many needed projects were completed and much needed outdated city equipment was replaced. This year, as gas prices skyrocket and economies slow, our City must continue to function and provide services to its citizens. The question now is how best to move forward and continue to improve Decatur for all.

We must still make Decatur a city in which people choose to live – no one must live here, they must want to live here. The choices we make to address these factors must be forward-thinking - we must study, anticipate, plan, have vision, and ask "What If?" and "Why Not?".

Having the mindset and attitude to continually seek the best - to be PROACTIVE - to think

"Outside the Box" - to have a strategy ready when the problem arises - these are the

beginnings of the answers. As an engineer, I sought the most efficient and effective way to solve problems and plan for the future - as YOUR COUNCILMAN for four more years, I will continue
to act in the same manner.

SCHOOL INVOLVEMENT

www.dcs.edu

The Decatur Public School System is very important to Ronny. He has had the honor and pleasure of serving the system in many different capacities since 1996.

WOODMEADE PTA

While serving as PTA President for 2 years, he was instrumental in a Grounds Improvement Project at Woodmeade. This encompassed several areas of the school grounds. The interior Courtyard was revamped into an Outdoor Learning Area. A small amphitheater was built consisting of a stage and benches - providing an outdoor classroom for special lessons that was safe and appropriate. Further improvements to the Courtyard added tables for outdoor lunch times and an alphabet/number line painted on the sidewalk.

In addition, the front areas of the school were

landscaped and window blinds were purchased for the cafeteria and auditorium.

Woodmeade Elementary School

AUSTINVILLE PTA
Ronny has worked as volunteer at Austinville Elementary School through the Austinville PTA completing Beautification projects in the front and back areas of the school and also as a Rotarian Reader, reading 30 minutes weekly with a fifth grade student.

BROOKHAVEN PTA
Ronny served two years as 2nd Vice President (2000, 2001) and completed a major beautification/safety project outside the school gymnasium.
He and Tonya also served as Chorus Volunteer Parents.

AUSTIN HIGH PTSA
Ronny has served two years as PTSA Beautification Chair,
completing projects at the marquee sign and tennis court corner.

DECATUR CITY PTA COUNCIL
Ronny served two years (1999, 2000) as City PTA Council President. As a result, Ronny has been afforded the opportunity to work with PTAs from every school in the Decatur System. This exposed him to a unique perspective and understanding of the strengths we have as school system and also the challenges that we face. During his tenure, the Annual PTA Service Scholarships were established. Each year a $500 Scholarship will be awarded to one Austin High and one Decatur High senior based on his or her service contributions to our community

COMMUNITY COMMITMENT

Ronny has demonstrated through his Community Involvement that he is committed
not only to District 4, but to Decatur as a whole.

ROTARY CLUB OF DECATUR
Ronny has served as Secretary and Bulletin Editor of the noon Rotary Club for two years. Rotary’s commitment to Decatur includes support of the Red Cross, Decatur Schools Violin Program, Junior Achievement, Boy Scouts, Top Local High School Students, Nationally Certified Teachers, Salvation Army, Princess Theatre, Rebuilding America, Rotary Readers, and many other local and international projects. Rotary International’s primary support goes to the
worldwide eradication of polio.

Rotary International Rotary Club of Decatur, AL

FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH
Ronny grew up in Ninth Street Methodist Church. Since 1991, he has been a member of First Baptist Church, serving as a Sunday School Teacher, Sunday School Director, Deacon, Usher, Nursery Worker, and Beautification Committee Member.

First Baptist Church

ANIMAL SHELTER
Ronny has served as liaison to the Animal Shelter Board due to a personal interest in making the humane treatment of animals a continually improving process. Through efforts of the Shelter Board and Animal Shelter Friends, a local support organization, a spay/neuter ordinance was passed, a comprehensive review of the Shelter by the Humane Society of the US was completed, employee training programs were implemented, a joint adoption program with Pet Depot was initiated, a relationship with Meow Mix was established, and plans for capital campaign to build a new shelter are beginning to develop.

Decatur Animal Services Animal Friends Human Society

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