Russ Rizzo is a communications strategist and media relations expert with experience on both sides of the news desk. He specializes in stakeholder engagement, crisis communications and media relations.

He works on behalf of private, government and non-profit organizations in a variety of industries including water, transportation, health care and energy to help them more effectively communicate with stakeholders and the public.

Russ brings to GBSM more than a decade of communications experience in public relations and journalism. Before joining GBSM, Russ provided communications counsel to corporate executives while working with a Denver-based public relations agency. Communications initiatives Russ helped create and execute have been recognized by PR Week, Public Relations Society of America and Colorado Healthcare Communicators.

Russ has reported for newspapers in the U.S. and abroad, including The Dallas Morning News, The Indianapolis Star, The Salt Lake Tribune, European Stars & Stripes and News & Record in Greensboro, N.C. He volunteered as a mentor to the newspaper staff of the Ghanian Chronicle in Accra, Ghana.

Russ earned a journalism degree from The George Washington University, where he served as editor and chief of the independent student newspaper, The GW Hatchet. He is a member of the Colorado Mountain Club and USA Triathlon.