Chief Operating Officer

Russ is the consulting practice group leader at Burr, Pilger, Mayer. He has a history of demonstrated success advising public and private companies in transitional circumstances, including M&A, restructuring, forensic investigation, and business closure.

His financial advisory and turnaround practice emphasizes technology, manufacturing, agriculture and services.

Recent Engagements

Restructuring advisor to a $100 million dairy cooperative and creamery in a Chapter 11 reorganization following fraudulent representations to the company’s lenders. Forensic investigator for a municipality involving disputed utility user tax payments that resulted in a $28 million favorable cash settlement. Due diligence advisor to the buyer of a Top 50 ranked golf resort and corporate retreat. Restructuring advisor to a billion-dollar agriculture products trading company in a successful replacement of $90 million of senior debt. Restructuring advisor to $50 million manufactured products company to replace expensive “loan to own” debt with conventional bank financing. Financial and operational advisor to a privately-held confections company that was sold to a Fortune 100 consumer products company after repositioning its demographic focus. Creditor-appointed liquidating trustee of a telecommunications testing and services company under a confirmed Chapter 11 plan. Chief restructuring officer of a privately-held agriculture trading company in an out-of-court settlement with its secured lender. Interim CEO of a nationally-profiled biosciences company in a restructuring that preserved substantial equity value in the face of bankruptcy and liquidation. Restructuring advisor to a semiconductor and aerospace photocell manufacturer in a prearranged Chapter 11.

Achievements

Russ was honored with the “Turnaround of the Year” award from the Turnaround Management Association (TMA) for the work he did at a Texas-based biotechnology company, which was also featured in a Journal of Private Equity article titled ‘The Classic Five-Step Turnaround Process: Case Study of ProdiGene, Inc.” Earlier in his career, Russ successfully turned around three unrelated capital equipment companies and one oil services business after repositioning each in their respective markets. Before that, he led the growth of an alternate energy company to an enterprise value of $1 billion that was realized in a hostile takeover.

Professional Affiliations

Turnaround Management Association, Northern California Chapter - Past President
Turnaround Management Association, Certification Oversight Committee - Member
Olympic Club - Member

Education

University of California, Berkeley, B.S. - Chemical Engineering
Stanford University, M.B.A., Arjay Miller Scholar

Interesting Tidbit

Ran the Olympic torch through Menlo Park on its way to Los Angeles.