Recognition by Others

Leadership Birmingham
A year-long program designed to introduce, support, and inspire leadership across multiple societal topics; participants are selected by nomination vetted through rigorous selection criteria. Russell was selected in for the 2001 class. 

 
The Secret Epidemic – The Story of AIDS and Black America – by Jacob Levenson
“His top two priorities were to eliminate the (AIDS Drug Assistance Program) waiting list and to get the state to start paying for the federal match (of the Ryan White program). His political game plan was simple: press hard for the $6 million, and tell legislators and the governor that the state stood to lose its Ryan White Title II funding if it didn’t make the minimum match.”  Published in 2004, this award-winning book identifies the complexities involved with race and the HIV epidemic including the importance of state-level advocacy. The quote above references Randall Russell’s work with the state legislature and Governor of Alabama in 2001 to ultimately obtain $2 million; the largest set-aside in state funds yet, $2 million for Fiscal Year 2002. The state of Alabama provided $5.6 million for a variety of prevention, care, and treatment services in Fiscal Year 2009. 

The criteria for this distinction seeks mature leadership, accomplishment, and peer recognition, Russell received the honor in January, 2008 as Senior Manager, National Accounts – Government Accounts.