About Dr. Gary F. Russell
For almost four decades, Dr. Gary F. Russell has tirelessly worked and researched to achieve his lifelong goal of "Lifting people beyond their vision of capability." Whether with children or adults, small companies or major corporations, Dr. Russell has proven himself the premier expert in the development of people. He has achieved this by focusing on individuals’ strengths and talents to maximize their own performance and productivity as well as those with whom they interact.
Dr. Russell received a B.A. in Sociology from Kutztown State College in PA, his Masters in Counseling from Duquesne University and a Doctorate in Education from California Coast University, specializing in cognitive psychology.
As CEO of a number of thriving enterprises, he has effectively applied his working knowledge of people to achieve his own personal and professional successes and has shared what he has learned with others. Over the years, he has personally created numerous influential corporations within U.S and worked with many abroad.
L - R: Chris, Nanci, Gary, Brett, and Rebecca
Dr. Russell’s recognizable influence throughout his professional development is second to none. And yet, with all the accolades and awards he’s received over the years, he still counts his role as husband, father and grandfather, and the legacy he will leave his family, as the number one achievement of his lifetime. His wife, Nanci, and four children—Carrie, Brett, Chris and Rebecca—have always been, and will continue to be, the inspiration for his life’s vocation.
The following is just a thumbprint of the organization's he's successfully transformed over the years as part of his illustrious career:
Gary Russell Soccer Camps
A teacher by training, Dr. Gary F. Russell became an entrepreneur almost by accident when a tiny soccer camp he started during his summer vacation in Pittsburgh, back in 1969... click to read more [+]
North American Soccer Camps
North American Soccer Camps was a company quite unlike most youth sport oriented organizations. CEO/Owner, Dr. Gary F. Russell specifically focused on his strong belief that each individual child is important... click to read more [+]
The Center for Professional Advancement
Dr. Gary F. Russell, founder of the Center for Professional Advancement (CPA), had his beginnings as a classroom teacher, coach, and head of a school. These experiences, added to his doctoral research... click to read more [+]
North American Sports Camps
North American Sports Camps and its founder, Dr. Gary F. Russell, put themselves on the map in the mid 1990’s for their cutting edge approach to youth sports education. The organization had formerly been called... click to read more [+]
The Focus Group Limited
The Focus Group, based in Mystic, CT, and its aligning and activating behavioral model is the creation of Dr. Gary F. Russell. Since 1969, he had a vision that people and organizations could perform and operate differently and better...click to read more [+]
NFL Youth Training Camps
In spring 1995, Dr. Gary F. Russell, CEO/President of North American Sports Camp, and his staff met with NFL Properties to discuss the potential of a partnership. It was NASC's mission to assist in the development of youth football... click to read more [+]
Golden Bear Golf Camps
Spurned on by the exciting results of working with the NFL offering football camps, North American Sports Camps’ (NASC) next step was to tap into another one of America’s favorite pastimes—golf... click to read more [+]
Major League Soccer Camps
Major League Soccer, America’s Division I professional soccer league, met with Dr. Gary F. Russell to tap into his expertise in youth soccer education to form MLS Camps in 1996. click to read more [+]
Major League Soccer
MLS is America’s Division I professional soccer league founded in 1996. It has built an unprecedented momentum and a solid foundation for soccer, continuing to forge ahead towards its mission of becoming the world's best soccer league...click to read more [+]
Sporting Essentials
Sporting Essentials was founded in 1994 by Dr. Gary F. Russell. It is an online sports retailer specializing equipment and apparel. Sporting Essentials is committed to making the shopping experience simple, convenient and affordable…all complete with Russell’s trademark client service that is surpassed by no other retailer...click to read more [+]
Strengths-Based Coaching
Strengths-Based Coaching is a collaborative effort between Dr. Gary F. Russell and the Gallup Organization to identify and maximize a coach’s natural talents for the betterment of both coach and player...click to read more [+]
The Business of Winning
In 2006, Dr. Gary F. Russell began working with Sir Clive Woodward—a winner who revolutionized English rugby by adopting a business-like approach to the concept of WINNING. “The Business of Winning” takes Sir Clive’s vision and his unique WINNING formula to create high levels of performance in the sporting and business arenas...click to read more [+]
Winning Profile
The Winning Profile is an objective measuring process created by Dr. Gary F. Russell and a team of experts that defines an individual’s unique set of talents. This information helps both individuals and organizations find the best “fit” for that set of talents and ultimately raise levels of effectiveness and productivity in the workplace...click to read more [+]
Winning Workshops
Through interpretation of Sir Clive Woodward’s book Winning! and following up on his successful speaking seminars, Dr. Gary F. Russell and the Focus Group have developed Winning workshops and lessons that parallel Clive’s success in aligning and engaging employees... click to read more [+]