User:Herohcreatives/sandboxJD
James Russell | |
|---|---|
| Born | Tucson, Arizona, U.S. |
| Education | Leonardtown High School University of Maryland, College Park (B.S., Legal Studies) Harvard Business School (executive programs) |
| Alma mater | Harvard Business School (executive programs) |
| Occupation | Entrepreneur |
| Known for |
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| Website | www |
James Russell is an American entrepreneur, spaceflight participant, and former law enforcement officer. He is known for his work in the community association management industry[1] and his participation in the Blue Origin New Shepard NS-28 suborbital flight.[2]
Early life and education
[edit]Russell was born at Davis–Monthan Air Force Base in Tucson, Arizona, and raised in St. Mary's County, Maryland. He graduated from Leonardtown High School and later earned a Bachelor of Science in Legal Studies from the University of Maryland, College Park in 2009. He also completed executive education programs at Harvard Business School, including Private Equity and Venture Capital and Mergers and Acquisitions: Strategy, Execution, and Post-Merger Management.[1][2][3]
Law enforcement career
[edit]While attending college, Russell served as a police officer in Salisbury, Maryland. He graduated from the Eastern Shore Criminal Justice Academy with an Academic Achievement Award.[1][2] At age 22, he was promoted to detective and worked in specialized units, including the Crimes Against Children Unit. Later, he served as a federal law enforcement officer and game warden at Aberdeen Proving Ground and the Susquehanna Wildlife Refuge before retiring in 2015.[1]
Business career
[edit]In 2015, Russell founded HPS Management, a community association management company, and later established InfoHOA as a parent company for his portfolio of brands, including GO Management and HOAupstate.[1] His firms expanded through structured acquisitions and technology-driven efficiencies.[4]
Spaceflight
[edit]In November 2024, Russell flew aboard Blue Origin’s New Shepard rocket on its NS-28 mission, becoming the 670th person to cross the Kármán line[5][6]. The flight received coverage in Newsweek and SpaceNews, describing Russell as a technology entrepreneur joining a six-person crew that included science communicator Emily Calandrelli and fellow passenger Austin Litteral.[7][8] FLYING Magazine also highlighted his presence on the mission roster.[9] NBC DFW and the FAA recognized his participation, noting his background as a former law enforcement officer and entrepreneur.[10][6]
Philanthropy
[edit]Russell established the Victoria Russell Foundation in memory of his late daughter, focusing on children's literacy and supporting families of first responders. The foundation partners with Dolly Parton's Imagination Library to distribute free books to children and provides assistance programs for families through community outreach and educational support.[1][2]
Awards and honors
[edit]Russell earned the Billy Mitchell Award during his involvement with the Civil Air Patrol. The award is presented to cadets who have demonstrated proficiency in leadership, aerospace education, and physical fitness. It is named after Brigadier General William Billy Mitchell, an early advocate of air power in the United States. Receiving the award represents a milestone achievement in the Civil Air Patrol cadet program.[2][3]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d e f "J.D. Russell Bio". InfoHOA. Retrieved June 17, 2025.
- ^ a b c d e "Blue Origin Completes 28th Mission to Space". Blue Origin. Retrieved June 24, 2025.
- ^ a b "J.D. Russell". Supercluster. Retrieved June 24, 2025.
- ^ "Embracing Change: New Reserve Fund Law and Its Impact on HOAs". InfoHOA Blog. Retrieved June 17, 2025.
- ^ "James Russell". Space Launch Now. Retrieved June 17, 2025.
- ^ a b "FAA Commercial Human Space Flight Recognition". Federal Aviation Administration. Retrieved June 17, 2025.
- ^ Howarth, Tom (November 21, 2024). "Blue Origin space tourism launch: Meet the people paying to go to space". Newsweek. Retrieved June 24, 2025.
- ^ Foust, Jeff (November 22, 2024). "Blue Origin launches ninth crewed New Shepard suborbital mission". SpaceNews. Retrieved June 17, 2025.
- ^ Daleo, Jack (November 19, 2024). "Blue Origin Targets Friday for Next Space Tourism Mission". FLYING Magazine. Retrieved June 17, 2025.
- ^ "Blue Origin launched more tourists into space Friday over Texas". NBC DFW. November 19, 2024. Retrieved June 17, 2025.
External links
[edit]- Profile on Supercluster
- James Russell at Space Launch Now
- Overview of the Blue Origin NS-28 mission on Wikipedia
Category:Living people Category:American company founders Category:American astronauts Category:People from Tucson, Arizona Category:People from St. Mary's County, Maryland Category:University of Maryland, College Park alumni Category:Harvard Business School people