G. Richard Russell and Carol Madson Russell

G. Richard Russell and Carol Madson Russell have demonstrated a longstanding commitment to business leadership, volunteerism, and community involvement in Omaha.

Rick Russell was born in Yankton, South Dakota, and moved with his parents, George F. and Marjorie H. Russell, to Millard, Nebraska, where George founded Millard Lumber and Grain. After graduating from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln in 1969, Rick attended Northwestern University, graduating in 1971 with an MBA in finance. After two years as a mortgage banker, he joined Millard Lumber in 1973, working in general administration, credit, and accounting. As the company grew and expanded, Rick became President and then Chief Executive Officer at age 43, following the sudden death of his father.

Throughout his career, Rick remained active in civic and nonprofit organizations in Omaha and Nebraska, including Children’s Hospital & Medical Center, the Peter Kiewit Foundation, the Omaha branch of the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City, the Omaha Children’s Museum, and the Nebraska State Chamber.

Carol Russell earned a master’s degree in pathology while working as a medical technologist in the University of Nebraska Medical Center laboratory of Rashid Al-Rashid, M.D., Nebraska’s first pediatric hematologist/oncologist.

She later became widely recognized for her extensive volunteer involvement and nonprofit leadership throughout Omaha and Nebraska, receiving the Association of Fundraising Professionals International Volunteer Fundraiser of the Year Award in 2005. Her volunteer leadership has supported a wide range of organizations focused on education, children and families, aging, health care, community development, and human services throughout Nebraska.

Together, Rick and Carol Russell created a family culture grounded in service, generosity, and civic engagement. Their children credit their parents’ example with shaping their own lifelong commitments to volunteerism, nonprofit leadership, and community service. Family members described volunteerism in the Russell household as a core value and an expected part of life. They are the parents of three children and grandparents to seven grandchildren.

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