Mppa Russ Garner

Russ Garner, MPPA, PCED, currently serves as Area Director for Field Operations in Community Sustainability at Communities Unlimited since January 2023, also taking on the role of Community Facilitator. Previously, Garner worked as an Extension/Research Associate II at the Southern Rural Development Center from May 2018 to January 2023, where a significant network was developed across various institutions and organizations to address rural development issues in the Southeast. Garner's earlier experience includes roles such as Data Management Specialist at Mississippi State University, Director of Operations at Probuilt, LLC, and various positions at Holcim and Geocycle US, focusing on operational management and compliance within industrial settings. Academically, Garner holds a Master's degree in Public Policy and Administration and a Bachelor's degree in History from Mississippi State University, alongside additional qualifications in leadership and fire safety.