Russ Vernon
team leader, Business Advisory services

Russ Vernon brings more than thirty years of experience to his work helping companies grow and adjust to changing conditions. He was formerly the founder and General Partner of BVM Capital and President of Commerce Capital Markets, Inc. Prior assignments include serving as Chief Operating Officer at Barrett Associates, Inc., a Legg Mason wholly-owned New York-based money management firm, the Director of Investment Operations at Warburg Pincus Asset Management and Chancellor Capital Management.

In these roles he was directly responsible for building a state-of-the-art infrastructure to support all client, business, product development and growth needs. He also served on numerous management and operating committees.  Additionally, Russ served as a Senior Manager at Deloitte & Touche where his consulting practice focused on management, M&A, financial service and due diligence engagements and issues. Early on in his career, he was a Vice President of Citibank, NA.

In the public sector, Russ served as a full Colonel in the New York Army National Guard until 2004. He has served in numerous positions including Company Commander, Battalion Operations Officer, Commander of the 1st Battalion 69th Infantry, “The Fighting 69th”, the Inspector General of the 42nd Infantry Division, Military Liaison to the New York State Department of Governmental Affairs and Commander of the New York State ARFOR Command.  He has also been elected as a Trustee and served as Deputy Mayor and Police Commissioner of Tuxedo Park, New York.

Russ holds a Bachelor of Science from the United States Military Academy at West Point, a Master of Business Administration from Columbia University and a Master of Strategic Studies from the United States Army War College.  He is a also a graduate of the United States Army Infantry Officer Basic and Advanced Courses, Command and General Staff College and the Infantry Brigade and Battalion Command Course. He is a notary public and holds the NASD Series 7, 24, 63 and 65 licenses.

Among his numerous military decorations are the Army Achievement Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, Army Commendation Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters and the Meritorious Service Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster. His badges include the Expert Infantryman Badge, Air Assault and Airborne Wings and the coveted Ranger Tab.

He serves on non-profit boards of the National Purple Heart Hall of Honor, Newburgh Armory Unity Center and the Hebrew Technical Institute.  He previously served on the Boards of the Newburgh Boys and Girls Club, Orange County IDA and Orange Regional Medical Center and as Chairman of Arcmail Technology and Jenrin Discovery, Inc.

Russ Resides in Newburgh, New York with his wife Joanne.