Russ Givens joined PPI in 2022 to work on developing the Crescent Junction project into a fully operational facility. Russ brings 26 years of experience in building and operating underground salt facilities first with Cargill, Inc and more recently with his own business, Fossio Limited. Russ began work in the mines as a summer intern at the age of 19. Over a 20-year period, He worked his way up through the operations leadership team, eventually leading the operations function for the three mine, 700-employee business. During that period, the business achieved industry leading safety and financial results that rivaled many non-mining businesses. Russ has extensive experience in underground mining, operations, supply chain and logistics involving rail, barges, and lake boats in the US.
Russ has a BS in Mining Engineering from Virginia Tech, is a certified Engineer Intern in the State of Ohio, a licensed Mine Foreman in the State of Ohio, a licensed Blaster and a Responsible Person with the ATF, and a Six Sigma Green Belt. Russ has served on various non-profit and for-profit boards in Ohio and New York. He resides in Cleveland, Ohio with his wife and two children.