Russ StephensonRuss Stephenson has served the citizens of Raleigh as Councilor At-Large since 2005. From the beginning, his approach to the job has been both simple and challenging: to make daily decisions that will keep Raleigh on course for success.

A History of Service

Russ is the son of Col. F. G. Stephenson, US Army (retired) and Phyllis Stephenson, mother of four and award winning teacher of handicapped children in public schools. He holds two degrees from NC State, where he studied architecture and urban design and pursued a strong interest in improving people’s lives through design. He has always been active in the community, including two and a half years of service on the Raleigh Planning Commission .

In local schools he has served as a Board member and volunteer at Raleigh Preschool, a PTA Board member and volunteer at Hunter Elementary School, and a guest lecturer at NC State University and McKimmon Center.

In the community he has served as a precinct official for the Wake County Board of Elections, a member of the Pullen Park Master Plan Steering Committee, a design team member for the Hillsborough Street Vision Process, and a Board member of the University Park Homeowners Association.

As a Raleigh architect, he has donated time in schools for career days and assistant teaching. He has led walking tours of historic Downtown and Oakwood, managed the Raleigh Arts Commission project to produce the Guide Map to Modern Architecture in Raleigh, and led the effort to create the West Raleigh National Register Historic District.

Business Experience

Russ graduated in Architecture at NC State University and began working on projects for the State of North Carolina and for Triangle county governments and universities. Major projects include the $8+ million Cleveland Elementary School in Johnston County and Sea Island, GA resort projects valued at over $42 million.

Russ’s practice now focuses on historic preservation and urban design. He has currently completed several preservation projects, including the National Register designation and rehabilitation design for a 1925 African-American school in Nash County.

In urban design, he facilitated and authored the Stanhope Small Area Plan, part of Raleigh’s Comprehensive Plan. His planning consultant team was been selected over international competition to provide master planning services to the Village of Pinehurst, NC.  Russ has been an urban design consultant on planning projects from Virginia to Florida, including two North Carolina projects that earned statewide planning awards.

Campaign website:  http://www.russforraleigh.com/