The Woodrow Wilson Center for Scholars of the Smithsonian Institution presented George F. Russell, Jr. with its Award for Public Service at a June 3 dinner event in Seattle.
Russell, who led the growth of the Frank Russell Company, now Russell Investments, for more than three decades, is chairman of Threshold Group, a family-owned wealth management office, and chairs the EastWest Institute, One Nation, The Russell Family Foundation and The National Bureau of Asian Research.
Past award recipients include a variety of notables, including Henry Kissinger, Paul Volker, George Shultz, Dolly Parton, Andrew Young and Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz.
“It’s humbling — and a little bit daunting — to be listed anywhere near some of the inspirational people who have received this honor in the past,” Russell said. “In my case, I did not start with a specific plan to help others. I learned about the importance of public service by paying attention to others.”
In accepting the award, Russell outlined a list of 10 business-building principles that he said apply even more importantly to matters of family and public service.
“These are common sense, but they are the basic principles that have helped me to keep things simple and focused when difficulties get in the way of progress,” he said.
Russell built the Frank Russell Company from one part-time secretary in 1958 to become one of the world’s leading investment advisory firms. He served as chairman from 1958 until the firm was sold to Northwestern Mutual Life in 1999. He currently co-chairs the EastWest Institute EWI and the EWI US-Russia Constructive Agenda. He is chairman of One Nation, a project working to change the perceptions of Islam and Muslims in America.
Russell is Chairman of The National Bureau of Asian Research and, under their name, chairs a project entitled Globalization. He also co-chairs the Pacific Health Summit.
He is chairman of Nuclear Fuel Cycle Technologies, Inc., The Russell Family Foundation, Threshold Group, is Honorary Co-Chairman of the Business Humanitarian Forum.
The Threshold Group has offices in Gig Harbor, New York City and Portland, Ore.
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