Russell Spears
Atlanta
Summary
Experienced with delivering in-depth financial education and conducting significant research. Utilizes blend of theoretical knowledge and practical examples to enhance student comprehension. Track record of fostering collaborative learning environments and mentoring future finance professionals.
Overview
17
17
years of professional experience
Work History
Visiting Assistant Professor
Charleston Southern University
08.2020 - Current
- Teaching Load: 4 sections
- Courses Taught: Microeconomics, Macroeconomics, Statistics, MBA Economics and Statistics
Limited Term Professor of Finance and Economics
Kennesaw State University
01.2022 - Current
- Teaching Load: 1 Course
- Courses previously taught :Survey of Economics, Financial Statement Analysis, International Finance, Corporate Finance, Financial Management of Financial Institutions ,Principles of Finance
- Professional Coach for Hughes Leadership and Career Program.
Part-Time Lecturer
College of Charleston
01.2020 - Current
- Teaching Load: 1 course
- Courses Previously Taught: Managerial Economics Microeconomics Macroeconomics Economic Theory and Policy Analysis.
Part-Time Business Consultant
City of Atlanta
01.2018 - 12.2024
- Analyze debt structures, market conditions, and fiscal trends to inform issuance and investment decisions.
- Collaborate with stakeholders to ensure compliance, optimize bond ratings, and reduce financial exposure.
Lecturer, Course Developer
Auburn University
01.2018 - 01.2021
- Teaching Load: 3 sections per semester
- Courses Taught and Developed: Money and Banking Microeconomics Macroeconomics.
Department Chair/Assistant Professor
Georgia Military College
01.2016 - 01.2024
- Oversee and supervise 40+ faculty in the School of Business
- Develop and implement a strategic vision
- Maintain 4-course teaching load each semester
- Assign courses to faculty
- Hire qualified employees for demanded positions
- Evaluate all faculty yearly, new faculty every midterm for 1 year
- Oversee programs and faculty representing related but diverse sets of disciplines
- Promote the vision and mission of Georgia Military College
- Work with, manage and lead interdisciplinary centers; lead outreach, fundraising, or other external activities, engaging businesses with the programs supported by the Department
- Manage, develop and promote faculty scholarship
- Promote teaching and service activities
- Drive student success and graduation rates while developing timely curriculum
- Advocate for the needs and interests of the Department’s programs, students and faculty
- Grow undergraduate and graduate programs
- Commit to a diverse work environment, including successfully working with and promoting diverse populations, scholarship and teaching activities
- Support a transparent shared governance environment
- Budget and successfully meet budgetary goals.
Business Economist/Lecturer
Columbus State University
05.2013 - 08.2017
- Load: 3 sections per semester
- Courses: Management Information Systems, Microeconomics, Macroeconomics
- Co-Director for Butler Center of Economic Development.
Loan Officer/Financial Advisor
RBC Bank
01.2011 - 01.2013
- Acquired branch customer base through proactive sales and service activities
- Collaborated with ecosystem partners to promote products for new revenue
- Assisted clients in selecting appropriate loan products for their needs, resulting in higher customer satisfaction.
- Maintained strict confidentiality of bank records and client information.
- Submitted loan applications to underwriter for verification and recommendations.
- Educated potential clients on various loan options, guiding them towards informed decisions that fit their financial goals.
Commercial Banker
Wells Fargo & Company
01.2009 - 01.2011
- Performed daily needs assessments for leads and current customers
- Acquire services that include Certificate of Deposits, Savings Accounts, Loans, and other Retail Banking products
- Managed tellers.
- Developed strong relationships with clients by maintaining consistent communication and providing personalized service.
- Optimized loan pricing and structuring, ensuring profitability while maintaining a competitive edge in the market.
- Enhanced cross-selling efforts by collaborating closely with other departments including retail banking, investment services, and wealth management divisions.
Branch Manager
LDI
01.2009 - 01.2009
- Managed employees by scheduling work hours, supervising daily activities, and evaluating employee performance
- Maintained all accounting for the firm
- Used forecasting models for optimal production and specialization
- Applied business management specialization forecasting using IMPLAN.
- Continuously monitored branch performance against key performance indicators, taking corrective actions as needed to ensure objectives were met or exceeded.
- Maintained friendly and professional customer interactions.
Junior Stock Broker
Morgan Keegan & Company
01.2008 - 01.2009
- Manage Financial Portfolio of Clients
- Research Financial Markets
- Consult Investment Analysts
- Report to Clients
- Monitor Investments.
- Conducted thorough due diligence on potential investments, minimizing risk exposure for clients.
Education
Doctor of Business Administration - Business And Economics
California Southern University
10-2020
Master of Arts - Public Policy And Economics
Columbus State University
Columbus, GA05.2016
Master of Science - Economics
West Texas A&M University
Canyon, TX12-2025
Master of Science - Finance
West Texas A&M University
Canyon, TX12-2025
Master of Science - Economics
Auburn University
Auburn, AL05.2013
Bachelor of Arts - Economics
Auburn University
Auburn, AL05-2008
Skills
- Financial & Economic Analysis: Specialize in municipal bond risk, equity valuation, and public finance strategy
- Higher Education Leadership: Experienced lecturer with excellent student reviews; developed and taught 25 business and economics courses across AACSB institutions
- Business & Policy Consulting: Provide strategic guidance to public and private clients, including the City of Atlanta, in finance, planning, and risk management
- Research & Data Interpretation: Published author with expertise in applied economics, market forecasting, and statistical analysis
- Curriculum Development & Faculty Oversight: Led academic programs, managed faculty teams, and designed impactful course content
Languages
English
Native or Bilingual
Spanish
Limited Working
Publications
Landini, A., & Spears, R. (2024). Banks approved fraudulent loans to capture origination fees: Evidence from the Paycheck Protection Program. Journal of Financial Crime. https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/jfc-07-2024-0201/full/html
Spears, R. (2023). Corporate social responsibility: An analysis of cross-sectional firms in the Southeast United States. International Journal of Business Studies.
Spears, R. (2023). Measuring the impact of COVID-19 pandemic protocols on the development of relationship skills of ninth graders. Southeast Decision Sciences Institute.
Spears, R. (2021). The impact of public opinion on large global companies’ market valuations: A Markov switching model approach. Journal of Finance and Economics.
Spears, R. (2021). Measuring the dispersion of geopolitical risk across supply chain linkages. Atlanta Supply Chain Roundtable. [Conference presentation]
News Interviews
Fox News (2023, March 19). National television interview.
Newsy (2022, November 25). National Live News Syndicate.
Newsy (2022, December 20). National Live News Syndicate.
Fox Alive at 5 (2022, November 19). Atlanta News.
Miami Herald (2023, January 23). Print interview published.
Conference Presentations & Online Articles
Spears, R. (2023, February 19). Measuring the impact of COVID-19 pandemic protocols on the development of business skills in high school students. Southeast Decision Sciences Institute (SEDSI), Wilmington, NC.
Spears, R. (2023). Best installment loans for bad credit. WalletHub.
Spears, R. (2022). Should everyone have at least one credit card? WalletHub.
Spears, R. (2022). The best of car insurance. WalletHub.
Spears, R. (2021). How insurance companies make money. WalletHub.
FinanceBuzz. (2022, December 10). Are you underpaid? Only 37% of workers feel their salary has kept up with inflation.
Spears, R., & Pertl, S. (n.d.). Laptop study: Implementing an opt-in laptop policy to improve students’ academic performance. Working paper
Timeline
Limited Term Professor of Finance and Economics
Kennesaw State University
01.2022 - Current
Visiting Assistant Professor
Charleston Southern University
08.2020 - Current
Part-Time Lecturer
College of Charleston
01.2020 - Current
Part-Time Business Consultant
City of Atlanta
01.2018 - 12.2024
Lecturer, Course Developer
Auburn University
01.2018 - 01.2021
Department Chair/Assistant Professor
Georgia Military College
01.2016 - 01.2024
Business Economist/Lecturer
Columbus State University
05.2013 - 08.2017
Loan Officer/Financial Advisor
RBC Bank
01.2011 - 01.2013
Commercial Banker
Wells Fargo & Company
01.2009 - 01.2011
Branch Manager
LDI
01.2009 - 01.2009
Junior Stock Broker
Morgan Keegan & Company
01.2008 - 01.2009
Doctor of Business Administration - Business And Economics
California Southern University
Master of Arts - Public Policy And Economics
Columbus State University
Master of Science - Economics
West Texas A&M University
Master of Science - Finance
West Texas A&M University
Master of Science - Economics
Auburn University
Bachelor of Arts - Economics
Auburn University
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