Richard M. Russell

Richard M. Russell is the Senior Director for Technology and Telecommunications for the National Economic Council. In this post, he is President Bush's telecommunications advisor.

"Russell has largely avoided details in debates over DTV and broadband deployment, such as when exactly TV stations must go all-digital and how much local regulation phone companies should face as they roll out video. Instead, his priority is making sure fights over those details don't bog down the White House's main priority: spreading the new technologies as quickly as possible." 

Russell concurrently holds the position of Associate Director with the Office of Science and Technology Policy. He "was confirmed by the U.S. Senate in August 2002. As Associate Director he serves as OSTP Director Dr. John H. Marburger, III's deputy for technology. Prior to being chosen by the President for his current position, Russell served as OSTP's Chief of Staff. Russell also worked on the Presidential Transition Teams for the Department of Commerce, National Science Foundation and OSTP.

"From 1995-2001, Russell worked for the House of Representatives Committee on Science and has a background in technology and environmental policy. The Committee has oversight responsibilities for all Federal civilian research and development and authorizing responsibilities for most civilian science programs.

"During his time on the Committee, Russell helped draft a wide variety of legislation, including efforts to expand and improve coordination of federal information technology research, improve computer security, and authorize agencies such as the National Institute of Standards and Technology. He also was charged with overseeing the committee's technology policy, coordinating its oversight agenda, and helping manage the committee's majority staff.

"Russell began his tenure on the Committee as a professional staff member for the Subcommittee on Energy and Environment. He was promoted to staff director for the Subcommittee on Technology and finally to deputy chief of staff for the full Science Committee.

"Prior to joining the Science Committee, Russell was a professional staff member of the Merchant Marine and Fisheries Subcommittee on Oceanography. The Oceanography Subcommittee had jurisdiction over ocean and environmental research and management.

"He also directed the Washington office of the Association of California Water Agencies (ACWA). ACWA is a non-profit association representing 400 public water agencies responsible for delivering 90 percent of California's domestic and agricultural water.

"Russell began his career in Washington, D.C. as a research fellow for the Conservation Foundation. He also worked for Congressman Curt Weldon (R-Penn.) and Senator John Seymour (R-Calif.). In 1988 he earned a bachelor's degree in biology from Yale University."

Source: OSTP Biography.