Get to Know Core10: Russell Short

"‘Is Russell on every project at Core10?’ was the recent running joke at Core10. This lighthearted remark, though slightly exaggerated, holds a great deal of truth. Russell Short, a Data Consultant for our Accrue product team, is a force to be reckoned with on any project he touches. His unwavering commitment to excellence ensures that both the project and the client are set up for success.

Don't just take our word for it; hear it straight from Jessica Ayerst, our Data Integrations Lead, who has witnessed Russell's exceptional contributions firsthand:

“Russell has been an absolute gem of a teammate and I couldn't be happier with the work he's performed for Accrue. Russell embodies the Core10 values of "Relentless Customer Focus" and "Clarity Over Certainty". He is able to take very complex data and quickly turn it into deliverables that our other teammates and most importantly, our clients, can understand and put to use. Russell always makes sure that we are surpassing our clients' expectations by meeting project timelines, collaborating with teammates to come up with solutions, and researching, then following best practices.”

Russell is not just an exceptional data consultant but is also a kind, funny, and generous team member. We’re proud to call him a member of our team. Take a moment to discover more about Russell, his expertise, and his life in Huntington, WV. 

What is your role at Core10? 

I’m a Data Consultant for the Accrue team. I help in integrating banking cores and other vendors to Accrue for our banking clients.

How long have you been with Core10? 

Almost 5 years! I started in August of 2018. 

How did you hear about Core10? 

Through the Impact Fellowship of Generation West Virginia

Why did you choose to work at Core10?  

As a native West Virginian, I wanted to be a part of technology development in the state, and Core10 aligned with that!

What did you do before joining the team?  

 I was an Operations Manager for Staples while in college.

Where did you go to school? 

West Virginia University!

What did you study? 

Computer Science

What got you interested in a career in data consulting?

Modding computer games! I started learning how to customize a game to how I liked to play, and it led to me learning new programming languages and working on a remote team.

What is your favorite project you have worked on at Core10? 

I’d have to say my current project, overseeing batch updates from banking cores to our client’s Salesforce orgs. It doesn’t sound pretty, but it’s nice to see something that lives with the customer’s experience and updates daily.

Tell us about your life outside of Core10… Family life? Pets? Hobbies? 

My wife Sarah and I got married the week after I started here at Core10, so we’re also approaching our 5-year anniversary! We have a little shih-tzu named Buttons who likes to make the occasional round on our “petsofcore10” slack channel. We enjoy gaming of all types, for video games I’m usually playing Sea of Thieves or Minecraft, and we host a Dungeons and Dragons night every Wednesday!

How do you give back to the community?

If I’m not playing any of the games I mentioned above, you could probably find me volunteering with the local United Way. There’s always something going on in Huntington that needs volunteers and I’m happy to help. Even this weekend I’m helping run the United Way 2023 River Cities Cornhole Classic fundraiser, where 64 teams will be competing for a trophy and bragging rights for next year! If you’re reading this and you’re interested in volunteering, go to unitedwevolunteer.org!

What is something other people find most surprising to learn about you? 

I was thinking about responding to this with my expansive Guitar Hero controller collection, but my wife said, “No that’s not surprising”. So, I asked Anthony Alexander about what is most surprising to learn about me. He said, “I don’t know, you’re pretty predictable.” I guess I’m predictable.

Where do you live and what is your favorite part(s) about the place you call home?

I live in Huntington, West Virginia, and I love it here. We moved here from Beckley, WV, for Core10 and haven’t regretted it since. There’s such a unique small-town vibe here that is like the West Virginia towns that I’ve grown up with but with the art and personality of a much bigger city. My favorite part of Huntington I would have to say is the food. Most of the nice restaurants around here are owned by a handful of people, but their lack of competition doesn’t stop them from making stellar food. If you’re in town, you need to stop by The Peddler, Bahnhof, or Backyard Pizza.

Why did you choose to stay there?  

We’re choosing to stay here because Huntington checks all our boxes. We have a close-knit community, resources to a major university in Marshall, and still live in West Virginia.

Anything else you’d like to share???

Giving back to your community is an excellent way to stay involved with the community. We’ve made tons of friends, had countless experiences, and have helped many people in need. If you live in the Huntington area, please go to unitedwevolunteer.org and sign up! There’s plenty of small events happening this summer, and larger ones happening in the fall.