Russell A. Leach
Project Director
Since joining NCDS in 2004, Russ Leach has managed successful campaigns for Chambers and EDC’s in Cedar Rapids, IA, Murfreesboro, TN, and Raleigh, NC. Collectively, these projects secured over $22 million for community and economic development initiatives. His current assignment finds him in a fast-track $3.2 million campaign in Clarksville, TN.
Russ is a seasoned economic developer who is now a seasoned fundraising executive. During his 23-year career managing trade and economic development agencies, and consulting with private companies, he has launched business development, marketing and fundraising programs for: the State of Michigan; Detroit Economic Growth Corporation; Greater Cleveland Growth Association; World Trade Center Cleveland; and the World Trade Centers Association.
Prior to joining NCDS, Russ specialized in economic impact analyses, strategic focus, and business planning for non-profits. His attention to the needs of the client is one of his greatest assets.
As Director of Michigan’s International Trade & Investment Bureau, Russ successfully recruited $190 million of investment creating 1,300 new jobs. He also assisted Michigan companies in generating more than $100 million in export sales. Russ also succeeded in reaching out to the Michigan Business Community and the Michigan Legislature. During his tenure, he secured increased funding that averaged seven percent annually.
While serving as Director of Business Attraction for the Detroit Economic Growth Corporation, Russ worked with a diverse board of chief executives and community leaders to craft a national and international message promoting the positive aspects of a Detroit location. He also worked closely with the Greater Detroit Chamber of Commerce, serving as Chairman of their Business Attraction Council and leading their efforts to draw more business to Southeast Michigan.
As a staff officer of the Greater Cleveland Growth Association, Russ served as the Executive Director of the Greater Cleveland International Trade Alliance and The Cleveland World Trade Center. During that time he worked closely with many of Cleveland’s most prominent corporate leaders. Russ also demonstrated significant skill and diplomacy within the community by brokering a successful consolidation of a competing trade organization. The merger resulted in a 50% increase in revenue and doubled membership. Russ also successfully upgraded the annual Cleveland World Trade Conference from a local event to a regional and national event spotlighting the economic strengths of specific growth industries in the Greater Cleveland area. The conference became an annual fundraiser for the Cleveland World Trade Center, contributing nearly thirty percent toward the annual operating budget.
Russ enjoys the complexity of working with government and the opportunity to work with public/private partnerships. He continues to serve on the Advisory Board for the University of Akron’s Institute for Global Business and is an advisor to the World Trade Centers Association Headquarters in New York City.
Russ has a BS in History and an MA in Foreign Language and International Trade. He and his wife Anna have 2 daughters. He is a veteran of the United States Coast Guard and enjoys skiing, golf, horseback riding, and sailing.