GENE RUSSELL – PRESIDENT AND CEO
Overview/Background
Gene Russell is President and CEO of Manex. Mr. Russell has held three successful CEO positions over a 20-year period for businesses that included early-stage, private equity and non-profit. He has served as senior leadership for global Fortune 100 and iconic consumer branded companies. Prior to Manex, Mr. Russell led a turnaround at a California midsized manufacturer. His experience in global sourcing and manufacturing over several decades led him to Manex where he brings real-world experiences, and as a result, a personal passion to restore and invigorate domestic USA-based manufacturing.
A Successful Track Record
As a manufacturing consulting and coaching expert, he has over 25 years of senior executive strategic planning, operational management, and advising experience with manufacturers in all northern California and in the technology sector. With his extensive knowledge of manufacturing operations, he has developed and implemented key strategic initiatives for companies, allowing them to improve performance and achieve profitable growth. He also has a strong background in sales and business development, and a keen understanding of manufacturing strategies in the global environment. As a manufacturer advisor he brings to your company and team extraordinary experience in solving all the challenges you may face, dramatically improving existing systems, and helping you achieve more robust profits. His personal executive coaching is well known in the manufacturing sector across the San Francisco Bay Area, Sacramento, and all northern CA locales.
Leadership During Times of Change, in Multiple Industries
Prior to joining Manex, Mr. Russell led companies within several rapidly changing industries including telecommunications, wireless mobile, consumer electronics, major appliances and most recently the fireplace and home décor segments. Prior to joining Manex, he spent six years with Pilgrim Home and Hearth, a small California-based manufacturer with production facilities in Benicia, California; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and Taicang, China. This localized California experience has been invaluable in working with Manex clients and understanding the complexity of global supply chains and mixed location production.
Mr. Russell’s previous experience consists of key leadership roles with a variety of manufacturing and technology firms, including Oregon Scientific, Haier America, SOS Wireless Communications, SDI Technologies and AT&T. In these executive positions, he was instrumental in developing new business plans, core operational improvements and diversified product plans, as well as launching significant business development and sales initiatives. In start-up firms, he led new ventures with conceptual ideas, and developed them into successful operating entities with industry leadership positions. He has also served as a board advisor and distribution consultant.
Mr. Russell holds a B.A. in Economics from the University of California, Los Angeles. He also completed MBA Essentials through the London School of Economics and Political Science Executive Education Program in August 2019 and Mastering Design Thinking through the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Sloan School of Management Executive Education Program in November 2019.
Gene Russell’s Areas of Expertise
- Corporate Strategy
- Business Development
- Sales & Marketing
- Business Transformation & Globalization
- Early Stage Management
- Distribution Management
- Product Line Development
- Operations Management
- Process Improvement