John Russell

John Russell
Degree: 
Agricultural Business, Finance
Year Graduated: 
1980

An eastern Iowa native, John Russell graduated from Iowa State University in 1980 with a bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Business and Finance. Since graduating, he has garnered 39 years of credit and commercial banking experience.

Russell was employed by U.S. Bank in Ames in 1992. He worked there for 15 years, the last ten as Market President of the central Iowa Region.

In September 2007, he joined Bankers Trust, where, in his current role as Market President, he is responsible for the bank’s expansion into the Ames community. 

In addition to managing a diverse portfolio of commercial loans, Russell has been instrumental in establishing a presence for Bankers Trust in Ames. Over the last 11 years he has grown the bank to total assets that exceed $150 million.

Russell’s passion for community involvement focuses on economic development and non-profit service. He served as the United Way of Story County 2009 Annual Campaign Chair and was the Leadership Campaign Chair in 2008. He has held leadership and board positions in the Ames Economic Development Commission, Ames Chamber of Commerce, Ames Seed Capital Fund, Ames Education Foundation, Center for Creative Justice, Richmond Center (formerly the Central Iowa Mental Health Center), Friendship Ark Homes, Youth and Shelter Services Foundation, Ames Public Library Building Campaign Committee, Ames Convention and Visitors Bureau, Iowa State University Alumni Association, City of Ames Electric Utility Advisory Board, and the Iowa Sports Foundation (Iowa Games). He is an active member of the Ames Noon Rotary Club.

When he’s not working, Russell enjoys spending time with his wife Cindy, and sons Garrett, an engineer in Chicago, and Elliott, a student at the Feinberg School of Medicine at Northwestern University in Chicago. They all enjoy traveling, hiking, boating, snow skiing and following college sports.

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