Russell Consulting is a full-service Public Safety Management consulting company specializing in supporting remote and rural agencies. This responsive and reliable consulting service has successfully handled even the most extreme challenges found throughout rural Alaska.
Greg began his law enforcement career in 1981, working as an undercover drug enforcement officer for the Alaska State Troopers. Receiving a Special Commission from AST, he worked with the South-central Alaska Narcotics (SCAN) Team, making controlled purchases of illegal drugs on the Kenai Peninsula. In August 1982, he went to work for the Soldotna Police Department as a Patrol Officer and attended the 23rd session of the Municipal Police Academy in Sitka, graduating as that class’s salutatorian.
Greg was promoted to Sergeant in 1985 and supervised the Patrol Division. During his nearly 18 years at SPD, Greg supervised Patrol, Investigations, Property and Evidence, Training, Administration, and was the department’s Computer Systems Administrator. He was a certified Police Instructor and held an Advanced Certificate with the Alaska Police Standards Council.
In the Spring of 1995 Greg attended the 180th Session of the FBI National Academy in Quantico, VA, taking command level courses in: Contemporary Issues for Law Enforcement; Management Planning and Budget; Forensic & Technical Services for Managers; Legal Issues for the Police Administrator; and Physical Fitness Advisors Association. He received his bachelor’s degree in 1977. He is a life member of APOA (Alaska Peace Officers Association), a life member of the FBI National Academy Associates, a life member and board member of the Alaska Chiefs of Police Association, and a member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police.
In March 2000 Greg and his family moved to Kotzebue, where he became the Chief of Police. His duties at the Kotzebue Police Department included managing its Regional Jail Facility, a 12-bed contract jail that was one of the most active contract jails in the state. KPD’s Municipal Corrections Officers also served as dispatchers inside the department’s integrated dispatch center; answering routine calls for service and 911 emergency calls; dispatching for police, fire, EMS, search and rescue, and public works; and transporting prisoners. During his tenure at KPD, the department updated its Records Management System; gained access to the Alaska Public Safety Information Network (APSIN) and NCIC; modernized its Jail Accounting System; improved its overall efficiency at delivery of services; and dramatically improved its professional reputation throughout the community.
Life north of the Arctic Circle took a little getting used to, but it was a rewarding experience. He interacted well with the community and worked hard to promote the trusting relationship between the department and the public. Greg adopted a more “regional” approach to his job, understanding the unique interaction between the surrounding villages and this hub community of Kotzebue. In addition to other responsibilities, the Kotzebue City Council appointed him to serve as the community’s representative to the Northwest Arctic Borough’s Regional Public Safety Committee. Greg also served on the Youth Court Advisory Committee and was an active participant in the Community Circle Gatherings.
In October 2002 Greg retired from law enforcement and moved back to Soldotna with his family but soon found himself called back into service assisting a rural police agency rebuild itself. In February 2003 Russell Consulting was established. He served as the police practices consultant for the Alaska Municipal League Joint Insurance Association (2003-2025) and now serves in that same capacity for the newly formed Alaska Public Risk Alliance (2025 – ).
In 2018 Greg returned briefly to Kotzebue Police Department as its Acting Chief. That same year he accepted the position as the Interim Chief of Police and Director of Public Safety in Whittier, Alaska, helping rebuild and modernize that agency which continues to serve the residents and visitors of Whittier as well as provide contract police services to the neighboring community of Girdwood.
Greg was a Traveling Trainer for the Alaska Police Standards Council, an Instructor Trainer for Skid Car System, a Past President and Board Member of the Peninsula Crime Stopper Program, served on the Kenai Peninsula Local Emergency Planning Committee, and continues to be an active volunteer in his community. He is a frequent speaker at conferences and special events.
Suspecting he may have a green thumb, he took up gardening as a hobby in 2020. Each harvest time confirms or refutes this suspicion.
Jennie moved to Soldotna from San Diego in 1986. She is Greg’s wife and Director of Operations for Russell Consulting. She worked for the Soldotna Police Department (volunteer clerk completing an academic practicum requirement) , the Alaska State Troopers in Kotzebue (Administrative Clerk), the Alaska Court system (Clerk of the Court) in Kotzebue, and the Alaska Adult Probation Office (Criminal Justice Tech) in Kotzebue.
Jennie earned an Associate Degree and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Human Services from Kenai Peninsula College. Possessing a strong sense of community and volunteerism, she was a Chemical Dependency Counselor at Serenity House (a residential treatment program for adults, offering a wide range of services aimed at helping people recover from alcoholism and drug dependency), served as a Serenity House Advisory Board Member for the Central Peninsula Hospital, and was the Resident Manager of Laurawood Arms Apartments, a 22-unit senior or disabled resident housing apartment complex in Soldotna.
Jennie does have a green thumb and patiently encourages her husband as he pursues his newly discovered enthusiasm for gardening!
