The City of Mustang provides an " Spotlight Employee" each month so that citizens can learn more about the public servants that contribute to our City running smoothly. The Spotlight Employee will feature answers to a series of questions about the selected employee, the department and position they serve in, and unique likes and interests of the employee.
The December Employee Spotlight is Project and Stormwater Manager David Russell
How long have you worked for the City of Mustang? I’ve worked for the City of Mustang for about 1 and a half years.
Where were you born? (Hospital is not a permitted answer) Oklahoma City, OK.
How long have you lived in Mustang? I’ve been a resident of Mustang for 18 years.
Are you married? If so, for how long? Children? I have spent the last 17 years of my life married to my wonderful wife Marie. We have two children, Makenna and Caden.
What do you enjoy the most about working for the City of Mustang? Definitely the work environment and the people I work with. However, my commute to work is a close runner-up.
What project have you been a part of while employed by the City of Mustang that you enjoyed the most? The reconstruction project of SW 89th Street and State Highway 4 was my first project to manage from start to finish for the City of Mustang. This intersection has long been a high-risk area, with frequent collisions that put our citizens at risk and places unnecessary demands on Mustang's emergency services. With the line of sight improvements west of the intersection and the new signalization, safety at this location will be significantly enhanced for many years to come.
Favorite Food? The toughest question on the list! I'd have to go with perfectly cooked steak, reverse seared to a beautiful medium -rare, and basted with thyme and truffle butter in the final moments..
Favorite Recording Artist? Imagine Dragons.
Do you have a secret skill or talent? A secret talent I have that most people are not aware of is creating sidewalk art with chalk.
You came to the City of Mustang after a very successful career in the private sector. What are the differences between the two and what has surprised you the most since you began your career with the City of Mustang? The public and private sectors in engineering operate with distinct priorities and dynamics. In the private sector, the primary focus is almost always on profitability; projects need to be financially successful in order for the company to thrive. This often means carefully managing resources and time to ensure that every hour invested contributes to the bottom line. In contrast, the public sector allows for a greater focus on the project's benefits to the community. It provides the flexibility to go the extra mile to enhance a project's quality without the same level of pressure to justify every hour against profitability.
Pictured is the Russell Family - from left to right - Marie, Caden, David, and Makenna.