Russ Smyth

As Chairman and General Partner, Russ is involved in key strategy, investment and talent decisions, as well as key customer relationships. He joined HAVI as Chief Executive Officer in 2010, then in 2014, he and five members of senior management purchased the business from founder Theodore F. Perlman and the Perlman family. After serving as CEO for nine years, he decided to step back from the day-to-day management of the business, effective January 1, 2020.

Prior to joining HAVI, Russ was President and CEO of H&R Block, one of the world’s largest tax services provider. In this role, he was responsible for H&R Block’s tax preparation business, as well as the H&R Block Bank and RSM McGladrey, a leading professional services firm providing tax and consulting services.

Prior to this, Russ spent more than 20 years at McDonalds Corporation, gaining extensive worldwide management experience in Latin America, Asia, the US and Europe. He last served as President of McDonald’s Europe, McDonald’s Corporation’s second largest area of the world. In this role, he was responsible for 6,200 restaurants in 51 countries, representing $6.7B in total revenues.

Russ earned a Bachelor's degree in Accounting and a Master's degree in Business Administration from Northern Illinois University. He is currently a member of the Board of Trustees for Lewis University in Romeoville, IL and Rush University Medical Center in Chicago, IL.