Adjunct Professor
Greene Building

518-276-4066

Master of Architecture, Rennselaer Polytechnic Institute; Bachelor of Arts, Union College

With 38 years of experience planning educational, commercial, religious, and multi-unit residential facilities, Russ has extensive knowledge of New York State and the region, educational planning requirements and trends, campus planning, and effectively building consensus to gain public approval for funding projects. Russ joined KG+D’s predecessor firm in 1986 as an Associate and served as a firm Principal for 6 years before becoming President in 2000. Russ retired from active practice in 2024. Russ continues to support the KG+D team and clients as a consultant.

Russ plays an active role in furthering the profession of architecture and the value of public architecture. Russ has held leadership positions with the American Institute of Architects since 1999 culminating in his role as National President of the AIA in 2016. Russ was elected to this position by the 90,000 members of the AIA served as its 92nd president and was the first National President from Westchester County.

As an AIA leader, he has advocated for policy reform on issues that are important to our clients including funding for social infrastructure projects specifically, schools and libraries. As president, Russ traveled internationally and nationally and spoke about the public impact of design. In the fall of 2016 Russ convened the “Build America Summit” at the New York Times Center in New York City. This two-day event focused on the critical need for our country to invest in the public buildings that define our communities.