Deacon Russ grew up in Cincinnati, graduated from the US Naval Academy and received a Marine Corps commission. After leaving the Marines, he joined his brothers to run Feldkamp Marketing, and retired in 2021 to spend more time in ministry and with family. He is the co-founder and director of Encounter Ministries of Southwest Ohio and leads conferences for Encounter Ministries across the country to share the power and love of Jesus. He enjoys brewing beer, camping, fishing, hunting, and almost anything else outdoors. He has been married to Missy for 33 years, has two daughters and two grandchildren due in 2022.