Lemke Ledger

David Russell

For David Russell, it’s rewarding to know that he’s making a positive difference in so many people’s lives. It’s an important responsibility, and one he doesn’t take lightly, he said.

Russell is a former editor of the Arkansas Traveler who graduated in 1974 with a degree in journalism. He is now the vice president of external affairs at Verizon Wireless.

After graduating Russell didn’t look for work in the corporate sector, he began working in the print business, with a little help from a UA faculty member.

“Professor Ernie Deane helped me get my first jobs in the newspaper business,” Russell said.

In October of 1981, with his wife pregnant with their first child, Russell lost his job as an editor with the Jacksonville Daily News.

“I was devastated. My wife Debbie was pregnant and we were broke. I felt like I had let my family down,” Russell said.

Russell credits his work in journalism as a “protracted internship for my corporate career.” He became vice president of external affairs in 2000.

As vice president, Russell is responsible for external communications, community involvement and charitable contributions by Verizon in the central United States.

With help from Russell, the journalism department received three generous grants from Verizon to assist with improving technology in the department.

Russell said he loves his job and is grateful that every year he gets to give away thousands of dollars to improve people’s lives.

One of his favorite memories from the university is graduation, Russell said.

“It represented the potential for a better life for my family’s descendants- it’s something I’ll always remember.” Russell said.

Russell began his journalism career on a typewriter, and although technology has changed dramatically he said the need for journalists remains unchanged.

“The need for the ability to study reams of data to extract the salient facts and then communicate them in a sufficient and easy-to-understand manner hasn’t changed. And that ability is desperately needed in the corporate sector, legal sector and in a lot of sectors, not just journalism or public relations,” Russell said.

Russell loves Razorback Football, something that hasn’t changed over the years. Russell and his wife  will celebrate their 34th anniversary later this year. They have two sons, ages 28 and 24, who are both married.

Story Credit: Caroline Reddman, Broadcast ’11

Photo Credit: Courtesy Photo