Russ has a master's degree in journalism and public policy from the American University's School of Communication. While at American, Russ was awarded the 2008-2009 BNA Fellowship, allowing him to work as a staff writer for BNA's Daily Report for Executives where he wrote about infrastructure investment and health care.

Prior to graduate school, Russ worked as a daily newspaper reporter in New Hampshire, covering courts and New Hampshire's first-in-the-nation primary.