RUSSELL G. FONG
Sacramento,CA
Summary
Executive Leadership: 33 successful years providing executive leadership in some of the world’s largest and complex organizations. Appointed by Governor Brown and Governor Newsom as an Agency Undersecretary, Chief Deputy Director, Chief Financial Officer, and Risk Officer. Extensive experience and leadership in the areas of operations and administration as Chief of Staff (COS), Chief Administrative Officer (CAO), Chief Operating Officer (COO), Chief Financial Officer (CFO), Deputy Executive Officer (DEO), Assistant Executive Officer (AEO), Deputy Director, Division Chief, Vice President, Assistant Vice President, Banking Officer, and Financial Consultant. Decades of successful testimonies and presentations on complex issues to various boards, committees, the legislature, stakeholder engagements, and media relations. Executive overseeing the following areas: Budgets, Accounting, Finance, Forecasting, Contracts & Procurement, Business Services, Human Resources, Facilities, Rates & Cost Recovery, Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Outreach, Collections, Operations, Project Management, Investments, Pensions, Health Care, Risk Management, Compliance, Information Technology, Information Security, Commercial Funding, Commercial Procurement Strategies, Commercial Framework, Project Controls, Sustainability, Payroll, Disbursements, Training Operations, Physical/Capital Planning, Space Management, Legislative Affairs, Communications and External Affairs, and Legal.
Overview
37
37
years of professional experience
Work History
Undersecretary/Chief Deputy Director
Governor’s Office of Planning & Research (OPR)
07.2023 - Current
- Oversees the entire organization including operational and administrative functions and multiple statewide programs
- Implements the Governor’s and Legislature’s top initiatives and acts as the Think Tank for the State of CA
- Responsible for 323 exempt employees and $1.2 billion budget.
Chief Administrative Officer, Chief Operating Officer, and Chief of Staff
State Controller’s Office (SCO)
06.2020 - 07.2023
- Setting Policy, Strategic Direction, Planning, and Development for SCO
- 652 billion and 63 million in annual payments
- 2.2 billion and over 300,000 monthly payroll payments for State Service, CSU, & Legislature
- Financial, Operational, and Administrative Functions
- Risk and Compliance
- Implemented electronic payments as a new payment option for state agencies
- Budgets, Accounting, Human Resources, Information Technology, Information Security, Business Services, Facilities, EEO, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, Strategic Planning, Disbursements, State Employees, CSU Employees & Legislature Payroll and Reporting, Financial Reporting, California State Payroll System (CSPS) Statewide IT Project
- Primary Contact for Legislature, Department of Finance, Department of General Services, CalHR, State Controller, State Treasurer, Governor’s Office, and numerous agencies and stakeholders
- Responsible for 1,800 staff and $370 million administrative budget.
Deputy Director of Administration & Management
CA Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD)
06.2019 - 06.2020
- Setting Policy, Strategic Direction, Planning, and Development for CA HCD
- Financial, Operational, and Administrative Functions
- Budgets, Accounting, Human Resources, Information Technology, Information Security, Business Services, Facilities, Financial Reporting, Accounting, Risk and Compliance, EEO, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
- Primary Contact for Legislature, Department of Finance, Department of General Services, CalHR, State Controller, State Treasurer, Agency, Governor’s Office, and numerous stakeholders
- Developed performance measurements and monthly financial reports
- Improved internal business processes to issue grants timely, efficiently, and effectively
- Responsible for 500 staff, 40 funds, and $11 billion administrative budget.
Chief Financial Officer and Risk Officer
CA High-Speed Rail Authority (CA HSR)
03.2013 - 06.2019
- Setting Policy, Strategic Direction, Planning, and Development for CA HSR
- 113 billion Infrastructure Project – world’s largest Infrastructure Project and California’s largest ever Infrastructure Project
- Budgets, Accounting, Financial Reporting, Commercial Strategy, Contracts & Procurements, Risk and Compliance, Sustainability
- Executive Sponsor for Finance & Audit Committee
- Developed the Financial, Procurement, and Commercial Strategy
- Established the operations and administrative divisions within HSR
- Responsible for 800 staff and $30 billion admin
- And capital outlay budget.
Chief Financial Officer, Deputy Executive Officer of Operations, Assistant Executive Officer of Administrative Services, and Division Chief of Fiscal Services
California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS)
08.2005 - 03.2013
- Setting Policy, Strategic Direction, Planning, and Development for CalPERS
- 440 billion Portfolio, nation’s largest pension fund
- Executive Sponsor for Finance & Administration Committee, Risk & Compliance Committee, and Performance & Compensation Committee
- Budgets, Accounting, Human Resources, Business Services, Facilities, Contracts & Procurements, Financial Reporting, Risk & Compliance, EEO, Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion, and Board Management
- Primary Contact for Legislature, Department of Finance, Department of General Services, CalHR, State Controller, State Treasurer, Agency, Governor’s Office, and numerous agencies and stakeholders
- Successfully reorganized the organization to be more effective, efficient, nimble, and customer focused while establishing a risk intelligent culture
- Responsible for 1,000 staff and $1.7 billion administrative budget.
Chief Financial Officer, Deputy Director of Administrative Services Division, and Chief Consolidation Administrator
California Department of Technology (CDT)
06.2000 - 08.2005
- Setting Policy, Strategic Direction, Planning, and Development for CDT
- Budgets, Accounting, Human Resources, Rates & Cost Recovery, Financial Reporting, Information Technology, Information Security, Business Services, Facilities, Accounting, Risk and Compliance, EEO, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
- Successfully consolidated the Health and Human Services Data Center (HHSDC), Teale Data Center, and DGS Telecom Division into two newly established state departments: CDT and Office of Systems Integration (OSI)
- Primary Contact for Legislature, Department of Finance, Department of General Services, CalHR, State Controller, State Treasurer, Agency, Governor’s Office, and numerous stakeholders
- Responsible for managing a staff of 500.
Vice President
California Bank & Trust
05.1998 - 06.2000
- 6 billion in Assets, Commercial & Retail Loans, Retail & Private Banking
- Managed Sacramento, Stockton, Central Valley, and East Bay Regions.
Assistant Vice President
Wells Fargo Bank
10.1994 - 05.1998
- Retail & Private Banking, Home Mortgage & Personal Loans.
Banking Manager
Great Western Bank
12.1988 - 10.1994
- Retail & Private Banking, Home Mortgage & Personal Loans.
Financial Consultant
First Affiliated Securities
08.1987 - 11.1988
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Economics
University of California At Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA01.1987
Skills
- Strategic Planning
- Change Management
- Program Management
- Program implementation
- Process Improvements
- Program Oversight
- Budget Development
- Organizational Development
- Operations background
- Program coordination
- Stakeholder engagement
- Operations Management
- Staff Development
- Staff Management
- Contract Management
- Risk Analysis
- Business Administration
- Financial Management
- Project Management
- Business Planning
- Workforce Planning
- Budgeting expertise
- Financial Administration
- Business Development
- Human Resources
- Corporate Governance
- Report Generation
- Media Relations
- Consulting
- Leadership and People Development
- Planning and coordination
- Relationship and Team Building
- Approachable leader
- Adaptable and Flexible
- Results Orientation
- Expectation Management
- Policies and Procedures
- Project Oversight
- Stakeholder Management
- Effective Communicator and Public Speaker
- Innovative and Visionary
- Strategic business planning
- Budget Planning
- Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Program Administration
- Departmental Coordination
- Community Outreach
- Client Engagement
- People and Culture
- Transformative leadership
- MIssion and Vision
- Management Team Leadership
- Employee Motivation and Performance
- Annual Planning
- Board Oversight
- Client Relationship Building
- Capital Expenditure Planning
- Quality Control Planning
- Change and Growth Management
Timeline
Undersecretary/Chief Deputy Director
Governor’s Office of Planning & Research (OPR)
07.2023 - Current
Chief Administrative Officer, Chief Operating Officer, and Chief of Staff
State Controller’s Office (SCO)
06.2020 - 07.2023
Deputy Director of Administration & Management
CA Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD)
06.2019 - 06.2020
Chief Financial Officer and Risk Officer
CA High-Speed Rail Authority (CA HSR)
03.2013 - 06.2019
Chief Financial Officer, Deputy Executive Officer of Operations, Assistant Executive Officer of Administrative Services, and Division Chief of Fiscal Services
California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS)
08.2005 - 03.2013
Chief Financial Officer, Deputy Director of Administrative Services Division, and Chief Consolidation Administrator
California Department of Technology (CDT)
06.2000 - 08.2005
Vice President
California Bank & Trust
05.1998 - 06.2000
Assistant Vice President
Wells Fargo Bank
10.1994 - 05.1998
Banking Manager
Great Western Bank
12.1988 - 10.1994
Financial Consultant
First Affiliated Securities
08.1987 - 11.1988
Bachelor of Arts - Economics
University of California At Los Angeles