George F. Russell, Jr.

George F. Russell, Jr. has served on NBR's Board of Directors since 1993. George is the visionary behind Frank Russell Company, one of the world's leading investment management and advisory firms. Now Chairman Emeritus, he served as chairman of Russell since 1958, when he took over his grandfather's small brokerage and mutual fund company in Tacoma, Washington, USA.

Today Frank Russell Company guides the investment strategies of approximately 1,300 clients in 35 countries and has retainer relationships with clients representing more than $1 trillion globally.

In 1980 George expanded Russell's business into the field of investment management, and currently Russell manages $65 billion in retirement plans for institutions and individuals. Under George's leadership, the company has grown at 24 percent, compounded annually, since 1974.

In 1990 George founded Russell 20-20, a non-profit group of 20 pension plan sponsors and 20 money managers, which today represents $8 trillion in investment capital. The group’s early exploration of emerging financial markets such as Eastern Europe, the former Soviet Union, China, and India has significantly enhanced knowledge and investment strategies for its members. In 1999 its focus was broadened to include all developing countries. At the same time, the Russell EMPulse series of interview reports on emerging markets was introduced, to encourage meaningful dialogue between Russell 20-20 members and senior government and private sector leaders in developing countries.

Currently, George is Chairman of the Board of Directors of The National Bureau of Asian Research, a nonprofit, nonpartisan institution that conducts advanced research on policy-relevant issues in Asia and the former Soviet Union. He is co-chairman of the Board of the EastWest Institute, along with Martti Ahtisaari, former President of Finland. EWI is an independent European-American non-profit organization that was founded in 1981 to help bring about an end to the Cold War. George is a Trustee of the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution.

George is the Chairman of The Russell Family Foundation, whose mission is to enhance family and improve community by focusing on education and sustainable environment. He also is Chairman of the Museum of Glass, an International Center for Contemporary Art, which opened in July 2002.

A native of Tacoma, George earned his B.A. degree from Stanford University (1954) and an M.B.A. from Harvard Business School (1958). In 1998, George and his wife Jane were bestowed honorary Doctorates of Humane Letters from Pacific Lutheran University, Tacoma, Washington. George, who pioneered the business of pension fund consulting in the late 1960s, is internationally recognized as an advocate of diversified global investing. Along with Warren Buffet, he was named in 1993 as one of the four most influential people in the world of institutional investing. George received the Lillywhite Award from the Employee Benefits Research Council for outstanding lifetime contributions to enhancing Americans' economic security, the American Academy of Achievement award, and in 2000 was named one of the 49 "Leaders of the 20th Century in the Pacific Northwest."

Under George's leadership and his wife Jane's full-time role in the "people" related activities of the firm, Frank Russell Company was named National Family Business of the year (large business) in 1998 from among the 12 million family businesses in the United States for innovative business practices and community contribution. Continually recognized for innovative employee programs and corporate culture, Fortune magazine ranked Russell No. 15 in its 100 Best Companies to Work for in America list in 1999, No. 13 in 2000 and 2001, and No. 11 in 2002. In addition, Russell has been named an unprecedented three times as Washington CEO magazine's "Best Large Company to Work For" in Washington State, and received the magazine's Hall of Fame Award in 1999 and 2000. In 2000, Russell was presented the City of Tacoma Destiny Award, as well as the Pacific Northwest Philanthropy Award in the Outstanding Philanthropic Corporation category.

George and Jane (until her passing from a 13 month battle with cancer in May, 2002) led a growing economic development effort in Tacoma, their hometown, and were active supporters of education and the arts. Their efforts were recognized in FORBES magazine/Business Committee for the Arts National Commitment Award for ongoing support of the arts (1997). Also in 1997, George and Jane jointly received the prestigious E. Donnell Thomas "Medal of Achievement" from the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, recognizing their inspirational leadership and world vision. In 2000, the Municipal League of Tacoma-Pierce County recognized George’s outstanding dedication with their Distinguished Citizen Award. Following that, George was inducted as one of four laureates into the 2000 Junior Achievement Puget Sound Business Hall of Fame for his lasting impact on this region’s business and community. Also in 2000, he was presented the EastWest Institute's Director of the Year Award for his outstanding contribution to the mission of that organization. In 2002, George was the recipient of the first Lifetime Achievement Award for 2001 presented by the University of Washington Tacoma and the Business Examiner.

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