PP Russ M. Miller, LLIF
Russ was first introduced to Rotary in Hastings, NE in 1979. He was transferred by his company prior to the completion of his official induction into the Rotary Club of Hastings. His induction had to wait another 2 years until 1981 when Russ was inducted into the Minnehaha Rotary Club in Sioux Falls, SD. In 1986, Russ was transferred to Grand Rapids, MI where he became a member of the Rotary Club of Grand Rapids East. He later served as the Club’s vice president and member of the board of directors.
Russ started his journey as a global Rotarian in 1993 when he became a charter member, vice president, and board member of the Rotary Club of Kuningan, Jakarta, Indonesia. In 1995 Russ joined the Rotary Club of Menteng, Jakarta, Indonesia where he also served as vice president and member of the board of directors. In 1998, Russ joined the Rotary Club of Hong Kong, China, serving as a vice president and member of the board of directors. In 1999, Russ joined the Provisional Rotary Club of Beijing, China, while maintaining his membership in the Rotary Club of Hong Kong. Russ became a charter member of the Rotary Club of Beijing, serving as vice president and a member of the board of directors. Due to the resignation of the Club’s president during the Rotary Year 1998 – 1999, Russ stepped in as the Club’s president from January 1 through June 30, 1999, then fulfilled his year as the Club’s president for the Rotary Year 1999 – 2000. From 2006 – 2009, Russ served on the Rotary International China Advisory Team and as Assistant Special Representative for China, charged with overseeing club affairs for the newly formed Rotary District 0052. Russ became a member of the Rotary Club of Holland, MI in 2011 where he served on the Club’s board of directors and as Foundation Chair. Russ served as president of the Holland Rotary Club during the Rotary Year 2017 – 2018 and as board chair during the Rotary Year 2018 – 2019. In 2013, Russ was appointed chairman of the membership committee for District 6290. Russ currently serves as an Assistant District Governor – Macatawa Region District 6290. Russ is a member of the Paul Harris Society and a Major Donor to the Rotary Foundation. He is active with the Rotarian Action Group for Peace and the Rotarian Action Group for Military Veterans, having served in the U.S. Army Security Service from 1968 – 71.
Russ attended Central Nebraska Community College, Hastings, NE. He obtained his CLU from American College, Bryn Mawr, PA, and is a Fellow of the Leadership Institute, Babson College, Wellesley, MA. He serves as an ambassador for the West Coast Chamber of Commerce, a member of the Holland Salvation Army board of advisors, and as a commissioner on the City of Holland International Relations Commission. Russ and his wife Chanda have been married for 52 years. They have one son, Shawn, and two Granddaughters, Chanda and Cassie.
With 50+ years of business, leadership, and management development experience, including 20 years living and working in Asia as a senior executive for a US multinational company, and as an advisor-mentor to senior management and boards of directors of companies and organizations operating in Africa, Asia, Europe, and North America, Russ has a solid understanding of what it takes to operate successfully in the global world of today.