Our Presenter

Steve Russell Executive Director, Empowering Texas Youth

Summary of Qualifications

• Public speaking excellence in areas of motivation and personal growth
• Creative vision for professional development and education
• Proven leadership and marketing abilities
• Respected writing skills for professional communications and publications
• Excellent relationship-building, listening, and people skills
• Excellent teaching, training, and course writing and development skills

Education

• Hughes Springs High School, Hughes Springs TX, 1972 graduate
• Stephen F. Austin State University, Bachelor of Arts with double majors of history and English, May 1975
• Secondary education Texas teacher certification in English, history, and speech.
• Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, Master of Divinity, December 1980

Career Highlights

• Financial services experience of thirty years encompassing successful insurance and investment sales, insurance company home office marketing, and continuing professional education course development and instruction
• Pastoral and interim pastoral experience for over seven years
• Creative and innovative teaching in Texas high schools and middle schools for more than seven years, specializing in 8th grade US History

Community Involvement, Volunteer Service and Hobbies

• Chairman of the Tyler Together Race Relations Forum
• Vice President of Northeast Texas Disproportionality Board
• Volunteer instructor for Texas Parks & Wildlife Hunter Education Program
• Certified “Huntmaster” for Texas Youth Hunting Program
• Northeast Texas director for Texas Hunter Education Instructors Association
• Graduate of Abilene’s “City University.”
• Former board member of West Texas Area Fellowship of Christian Athletes
• Steering committee member/leader of the Texas Brigades
• Primary candidate for Texas House of Representatives in 2004
• Over twenty-three years of adult service to the Boy Scouts of America
• Over fifteen years as a counselor at American Legion Boys State
• Junior Achievement school presenter
• Over five years experience as a summer youth baseball coach
• Avid racquetball player, bird hunter, clay sports shooter, fisherman, boater, camper, hiker, and snow/water skier