Partner Spotlight: An Interview with Greg Russell- The Strategic Technologist
As technology trends accelerate and are positioned to make a notable business impact, technology leadership is more crucial than ever. At Fortium Partners, we pride ourselves on providing top-tier technology leaders to help organizations navigate complex challenges and achieve their strategic goals. Today, we're excited to introduce one of our newest partners, Greg Russell, a highly accomplished technology executive with a proven track record of driving innovation and delivering results across multiple industries.
Burke Autrey: Greg, welcome to Fortium Partners. We are excited to have you as a Partner. Your career is impressive, spanning roles from CIO at Amazon to CIO at Visa to CTO (and CPTO) at Grubhub. Can you share what drew you to Fortium and this model of providing Technology Leadership-as-a-Service®?
Greg Russell: Thanks, Burke. I've always been passionate about using technology to solve real business problems. What excites me about Fortium is the opportunity to bring my experience to a variety of organizations, helping them to achieve growth and operational excellence through strategic technology initiatives. I've seen firsthand the impact that strong technology leadership can have, and I'm eager to work with companies that are looking to make a significant impact. I'm also drawn to the flexibility and variety that the fractional model offers.
Burke Autrey: Your background is incredibly diverse, including executive roles at large corporations like Amazon, Visa, and Sears, as well as software-focused companies such as Grubhub and Cisco. How has this broad experience shaped your approach to technology leadership?
Greg Russell: My experience across these diverse industries has given me a unique perspective on technology's role in driving business value.
I’ve also learned that a ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach doesn't work. Each company has its own unique challenges and goals. My approach is to listen carefully, understand the specific needs of an organization, and then develop and implement tailored strategies that align with their business objectives. I'm also a firm believer in data-driven decision-making, and use metrics to measure the success of our technology initiatives and to iterate and improve.
Burke Autrey: You've successfully led large teams, with over 1200 people at Sears and 800 at Amazon. How do you approach building and managing high-performing technology teams?
Greg Russell: I believe that the key to building high-performing teams is to focus on talent development, create a culture of innovation, align on a set of common sense mechanisms, and empower team members to take ownership of their work. I strive to be an energetic, approachable, and pragmatic mentor. I'm committed to raising the talent bar and creating a collaborative environment where team members are encouraged to grow and develop their skills. It's also crucial to have clear communication and expectations, along with a defined purpose, so that everyone is aligned on the same goals.
Talent Development: Focus on continuous learning and growth opportunities.
Innovation: Foster a culture where new ideas are welcomed and explored.
Mechanisms: consistency creates a common operating framework that increases predictability in results and removes waste/defects.
Empowerment: Enable team members to take ownership and drive results.
Clear Communication: Ensure transparency and alignment on goals.
Burke Autrey: What are some of the critical technology areas that you believe CEOs should be focusing on in today's environment?
Greg Russell: I think CEOs should be focused on several key areas including:
Engineering & Operational Excellence: Ensuring technology infrastructure is reliable, secure, and efficient. This includes focusing on high availability, total cost of ownership (TCO), and robust security measures. For example, at Grubhub, I implemented operational excellence (EOE) mechanisms focused on resiliency, security, and efficiency. I look at Engineering Excellence as how you build stuff (e.g., engineering principles such as “security first” or "test it as someone else wrote it." I view Operational Excellence as how you operate it (the items you build or buy). They are two very distinct things, and you need to work on both.
Strategic Alignment: Technology must be aligned with business needs (e.g., ensure that any product or service approach enhances customer experience). It’s critical to develop a technology agenda that supports the overall business strategy, enabling growth and efficiency.
Emerging Technologies: Leveraging technologies such as AI, Machine Learning, and Cloud Computing. These can unlock significant opportunities for businesses that embrace them.
Data Analytics: Utilizing data to unlock insights and make informed business decisions.
Cybersecurity: With the increasing cyber threats, CEOs must prioritize cybersecurity and ensure the organization has a strong security posture.
Burke Autrey: Many CEOs may be hesitant about bringing in an interim or fractional technology leader. What would you say to those who are unsure if this model is right for them?
Greg Russell: I understand that it’s a different approach from the traditional full-time hire. However, the interim or fractional model offers several compelling advantages. It provides immediate access to top-tier talent without the lengthy search process or full-time commitment. It allows companies to benefit from the experience and expertise of a seasoned executive to quickly address key challenges and execute strategic initiatives. Furthermore, a fractional leader offers flexibility and can scale up or down as needed, providing cost-effective support and guidance.
Burke Autrey: Greg, this has been incredibly insightful. What are you most excited about as you begin your journey with Fortium Partners?
Greg Russell: I'm excited to be part of a team that is committed to providing bold leadership and making a real difference for our clients. I'm eager to leverage my experience and skills to help organizations navigate their technology challenges and achieve their business goals. I look forward to working with the talented professionals at Fortium and bringing strategic value to the businesses we serve.
Greg Russell's extensive experience and strategic mindset make him a valuable asset to Fortium Partners and the organizations we serve. His ability to drive transformative change, build high-performing teams, and align technology with business objectives makes him an ideal technology leader for any company looking to achieve sustainable growth and success. If you are a CEO looking for experienced technology leadership, consider how Greg Russell can help drive your organization forward.
Read Greg's full BIO here.