Phil Russell

Contact Information

phil@philrussell.us  ▪   (214) 520-1319  ▪   linkedin.com/in/philip-russell-software-engineer  ▪   findingorder.github.io

Professional Summary

Dynamic leader and innovator blending expertise in quantitative finance, data analytics, software engineering, and product management to deliver transformative solutions. With over 30 years of experience, I’ve mastered advanced technologies while maintaining a customer-centric approach to solving complex problems. Known for synthesizing cross-disciplinary expertise to deliver innovative, impactful solutions that resonate with stakeholders. Passionate about blending creativity with analytics to drive value and success.

Core Competencies

• Exceptional expertise across quantitative finance, data analytics, and advanced software engineering.
• Proven ability to bridge technical depth and business strategy, developing cutting-edge solutions.
• Deep understanding of modern financial modeling, Big Data, and Artificial Intelligence technologies.
• Strong advocate for product management principles, including semantic alignment and customer-centric development.
• Visionary problem-solver with a focus on delivering innovative, scalable, and impactful results.

Professional Experience

Principal Software Engineer  ▪  AT&T Chief Data Office

2013 – Present

• Designed data analytics solutions and applications, including advanced tools to visualize and interpret complex network performance data.
• Developed conversational AI systems, utilizing LLMs and multi-state frameworks for enhanced user interaction.
• Built automation tools for IAM systems, streamlining permissioning processes while adhering to stringent security principles.
• Spearheaded fraud detection initiatives, designing algorithms to analyze patterns and intercept fraudulent activity.
• Engineered scalable pipelines for processing high-velocity data streams, ensuring robust analytics for enterprise systems.
• Created geolocation tools that analyzed customer movement patterns, enabling actionable insights within AT&T’s data ecosystem.
• Demonstrated strong leadership as lead engineer, mentoring team members, and instituting best practices for consistent, high-quality project delivery.

Founder and Portfolio Manager  ▪  North Rim Capital Management LLC

2007 – 2013

• Founded and managed a boutique hedge fund leveraging quantitative derivatives strategies to deliver exceptional early performance.
• Developed proprietary models rooted in options pricing theory to optimize investment decisions.
• Oversaw comprehensive fund operations, including portfolio strategy, risk analysis, and client relations, ensuring compliance with financial regulations.
• Transitioned to focus on technology-driven innovation, integrating financial acumen into software engineering expertise.

Co-Founder and Chief Technology Officer  ▪  Corprasoft Inc.

1991 – 2007

• Co-founded and grew an ERP software company serving global corporate law departments, addressing legal spend and matter management challenges.
• Personally developed initial product generations, combining advanced technology with intuitive design.
• Led the creation of enterprise-level web applications, adopted by clients such as Microsoft, Exxon-Mobil, and Goldman Sachs.
• Introduced industry-leading innovations in legal billing systems, leveraging hierarchical tagging and advanced analytics for decision-making.
• Successfully exited via acquisition, delivering significant financial returns and market recognition.

Financial Analyst & Consultant  ▪  Various Roles

1980s – 1991

• Impulse Telecommunications: Designed financial models for telecommunications enterprises, providing strategic insights into network operations.
• Sterling Software Inc.: Consolidated multi-division financial forecasting, aligning strategies across a diverse portfolio of software companies.
• Jacques-Miller Inc.: Led capital structuring initiatives for a real estate syndicator, optimizing investment strategies for complex projects.

Technical Expertise

• Artificial Intelligence: Expertise in LLMs, conversational AI, and machine learning frameworks including TensorFlow and PyTorch.
• Data Engineering: Skilled in Databricks, Apache Spark, Hadoop, and building scalable data pipelines for Big Data environments.
• Web Development: Advanced proficiency in React.js, TypeScript, Tailwind CSS, and modern front-end frameworks.
• Legacy Technologies: Deep experience with .NET, C#, SQL Server, Oracle, and other foundational enterprise technologies.

Education

Master of Business Administration
Vanderbilt University - Owen Graduate School of Management

• Concentration in Finance

Bachelor of Engineering
Vanderbilt University - School of Engineering

• Double major in Computer Science and Electrical Engineering

Certifications and Training

• Microsoft Certified: Azure AI Engineer, Azure Fundamentals
• Pragmatic Marketing: Practical Product Management
• Leading SAFe (Scaled Agile Framework)
• Designing and Implementing Microsoft Azure AI/Data Solutions

Publications

• Introduction to Bayesian Networks: Theory and Algorithms: Authored an in-depth article on Bayesian Networks, reflecting expertise in probabilistic reasoning and advanced data modeling.
• Why You Need to Be a Product Manager: Advocated for customer-focused product management principles, emphasizing semantic alignment and creative problem-solving.