COLUMBUS, OH – The Pizzuti Companies has promoted James S. Russell, CEcD, to President of its Pizzuti Solutions division.

In his newly appointed position, Russell will provide direct oversight of all activities related to Pizzuti Solutions, the firm’s public/private development and consulting arm. The Pizzuti Solutions team targets five core market sectors: strategic/master planning; public facilities; sports and recreation; cultural and entertainment; and education.

Russell joined Pizzuti in 1997 with nearly a decade of experience working in the public sector. He was instrumental in the 2005 establishment of Pizzuti Solutions, which is currently completing large-scale projects such as the new Franklin County Courthouse in Columbus; a feasibility study and development plan for cultural arts district in Collier County, Florida; and the Exploration Park high-tech research park on the grounds of NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

“Jim is a valued member of the Pizzuti management team,” said Joel S. Pizzuti, company president and COO. “Jim’s creativity and expertise have been key to our many successes as Pizzuti Solutions has quickly established itself as a leader in the public/private arena.”

Russell is a certified economic development professional and a former city manager. A nationally recognized economic development expert, Russell is called upon frequently to serve as a guest lecturer and instructor for organizations throughout the United States, including the International Economic Development Council (IEDC) and The Ohio State University’s City and Regional Planning program.

He is scheduled to be the keynote speaker at the Mid-America Economic Development Council (MAEDC) Best Practices Conference in Milwaukee on May 6, focusing on redevelopment in the Midwest and how the real estate collapse has affected the private development community.

Russell is a graduate of The Ohio State University, and is a member of the American Planning Association (APA), International Economic Development Council and the Ohio Economic Development Association. He is a member of the Florida Redevelopment Association, the Mid-Ohio Development Exchange (MODE), National Association of Industrial & Office Properties, and serves on the board of Heritage Ohio, a non-profit organization that promotes historic preservation and economic development activities throughout the state.