Dana Russell currently serves as executive vice president of finance for the Georgia Student Finance Commission. During his 22 year career in Georgia state government, Mr. Russell has held numerous positions leading and managing financial and administrative services organizations and has served three Governors as head of two state agencies.

He led the Georgia Department of Administrative Services as its Commissioner for seven years in providing purchasing, risk management, fleet management, and other business support services to state agencies. He served as Commissioner and in other senior management positions for six years at the Georgia Merit System of Personnel Administration where he provided leadership for the state’s human resources, employee benefits, and deferred compensation programs.

Dana also held several positions in the Governor’s Office of Planning and Budget where he conducted policy and budgetary analysis in support of development and management of the state’s annual operating budget. His involvement in Georgia’s landmark 1996 civil service reform initiative led him to be invited as guest speaker and presenter to a number of organizations including the National Conference of State Legislatures, the National Association of State Directors of Administration and General Services, and the Florida Council of 100.

In addition, Dana has been a member of and has served in leadership capacities for numerous national associations such as: the National Association of State Deferred Compensation Administrators, the National Association of State Personnel Executives, the State and Local Government Benefits Association, and the Government Finance Officers Association. He also served as president of the National Association of Chief Administrators, and currently serves on the Master of Public Administration Advisory Board for the Andrew Young School of Policy Studies at Georgia State University. He holds a Master of Public Administration degree from Georgia State University and a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from Presbyterian College.

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