John Russell (GS-70, Choral Music) is a native of Asheville.  He is in his 19th year as Executive Director of The Montford Park Players, North Carolina's longest running Shakespeare Festival, where he has increased attendance by 900% and revenue by 911% in that time.

John holds the Certificate in Nonprofit Management from Duke University.  He serves and has served on various committees for the Asheville Convention and Visitors Bureau, the Institute of Outdoor Theatre, and the Southeastern Theatre Conference, and has lectured on Strategic Planning at several international conferences.  He is a Charter Member, Past President and currently serves as Secretary of the Rotary Club of Asheville-Metro, and is a Major Donor of The Rotary Foundation.  In 2017 Governor Roy Cooper appointed John to the Board of Directors of the North Carolina Arts Council. In 2018 John was named the recipient of the Mark R. Summer Award by SETC for outstanding contributions to outdoor theatre.

John encourages every alumnus, parent, and friend to contribute to the North Carolina Governor's School Foundation to ensure that the life-changing experience of GS is possible for every accepted student.