Longtime HR director to retire

It takes big shoes to lead UNMC Human Resources.

But, for years, John Russell has – with wit, fairness and a push to “do the right thing” — made it appear effortless.

Now, as he announces plans to retire, it’s clear that filling his size 13s is no easy task.

“Someone will have to grow into them,” said Don Leuenberger, UNMC vice chancellor for business and finance.

Charting John Russell’s impact at UNMC: See sidebar at right

The time is right, however, Russell said, to step down as assistant vice chancellor and executive director of human resources at UNMC, where he has served the past 14 years and oversees employee benefits, the Center for Healthy Living, the Child Development Center, employee relations/organizational development, the faculty/employee assistance program and staffing/compensation/records and HR information technology. His last day will be Dec. 31.

Russell joined UNMC in April 1999 after spending 18 years directing human resources for the University of Nebraska Central Administration.

“I knew this was going to be a rocket ride with Hal (Maurer) as chancellor and thought, ‘I can’t pass that up.’ ”

“John has set a high standard in human resources,” said UNMC Chancellor Harold M. Maurer, M.D. “His wealth of knowledge – from both a campus and university perspective – has helped shape strong policies and benefit plans for our employees and our campus. We’re a better institution for his leadership and commitment to helping employees succeed in the workplace. His leadership in strategic planning for HR is unmatched.”

The move also was an opportunity to rejoin Leuenberger, whom he’d worked with both at the State of Nebraska and at Varner Hall when Leuenberger was director of computing services.

“John has great judgment and is looked at with universal respect from deans to departments to individuals,” Leuenberger said.

“I’m proud of the things HR has been able to do for UNMC employees and I’m thankful for the strong support Hal and Don provided and our great HR staff that allowed us to succeed,” Russell said.

He’s also proud of his work at Central Administration, which, in the 1980s, helped the university become one of the first to offer a flexible spending account and reimbursement plan.

The Hebron, Neb., native plans to travel with his wife, Sue. An avid hunter, Russell also plans to land more ducks, geese and upland game in the coming years, while reflecting fondly on his time at UNMC.

“It really was a rocket ride,” he said.