The firm’s founder, Ron Russell, now serves as counsel to our team following his retirement in March of 2023. Ron is known for sharing the wisdom (both professional and personal) he has accrued over his career with his Russell Total Wealth and Wellness family.

Ron started his career as an accountant in 1964 and eventually became a Certified Public Accountant in Ohio. Ron also served as a Certified Fraud Examiner, Certified Financial Specialist, forensic examiner, and business evaluation and litigation expert.

While a CPA, Ron sent his clients to various Wall Street brokers to handle their investments. After two to three years of never hearing from the brokers, he would ask his clients to bring in their investment statements. He was shocked to find that the brokers simply sold products to his clients without considering the tax or estate-planning implications.

Ron thought there had to be a better way. In 1998, he rolled the CPA firm into a publicly traded company to serve as a holistic financial coach for his clients. He retired from that public company in 2004 to split off and revitalize the financial planning division as a separate entity, which now is Russell Total Wealth and Wellness, with his son Rob.

Ron is passionate about helping people win in life. He loves visiting with people, getting to hear their stories, what their goals are, and learning about their families. He also loves mentoring younger generations to increase their value to the firm’s client family.

Ron and his late wife, the Honorable Judge Cathy Barber, were married for over 35 years. They have four children, 10 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Fun fact – Russell Total Wealth and Wellness’ own Curv Miller IV is Cathy’s nephew.

Ron loves to travel and has been to about 85 countries. He also loves college basketball, particularly the Wright State Raiders, and enjoys watching the games right from his courtside seats.

Ron’s other hobbies include golf, fishing with his daughter and grandkids, and reading.

Ron actively supports Caring Partners International, the USO, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Air Force Museum Foundation, Gary Sinise Foundation, Families of Addicts and many more. He’s also a longtime member of the Masonic Lodge, Scottish Rites and Antioch Shrine, as well as past president of the Fairborn Chamber of Commerce and Fairborn Rotary Club and is a Hall of Honor inductee for Fairborn High School.