Betty Poore

Betty and Russell & Mackenna go way back - way, way back you might say. Betty is a Crackerjack Realtor who sold Larry his place on Isle of Palms, SC when Lauren was still in grade school. (That’s about 25 years ago, but who’s counting?) Fast-forward to the present, and Larry and Betty are still good friends. Everyone at Russell & Mackenna wholeheartedly supports Betty's mantra "If you can't enjoy life and what you do for a living, then what good is it?"
 
Betty’s love for the Charleston Coast and her extensive experience in resort real estate make her the go-to girl for up-sizing, downsizing or relocating to the area. A large portion of her client base is repeat customers, and she has been busy lately with helping a second generation of families she has worked with over the years – proof positive that her sunny disposition and ever-present smile are a great selling point! Check out her web site!
 
Betty always says, "When you live in a place like this, it's hard not to be inspired to make the most of every day." Kinda makes you want to move to Isle of Palms, now doesn’t it? If you do, we know a really great Realtor!

Dick Franyo

Dick is one of those people who can do a thousand things at once and make it look easy! He is the Proprietor of one of our favorite haunts - the Boatyard Bar & Grill in Eastport - named one of the "World's Top Five Sailing Watering Holes" by Coastal Living, Yachting and Sail magazines. We couldn't agree more...

And if that's not enough, Dick is a Trustee of the Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF) and runs their largest fundraiser - Bands in the Sand - each June on CBF's beautiful beach in Annapolis. CBF is also the major beneficiary of the Boatyard's Opening Day Spring Fishing Tournament.

But wait, there's more - in his "spare" time, Dick is the President of the Board of Directors of the National Sailing Hall of Fame project to be constructed at the City Dock in Annapolis. And as evidenced by the photo above, you can add "pretty darn good fisherman" to his list of talents.

Lindsey Worster

As the Director of Brand Communications for Vineyard Vines, Lindsey is not only a savvy professional, but a really groovy gal... Mention her name around the Russell & Mackenna offices, and you're sure to see smiles all around. Why, you ask?  Well, first of all, she's a lover of the beach, just like us :)  Her favorite place on earth is Nantucket (also a Russell & Mackenna top pick), but most of all, she's just plain nice.

Interests: Lindsey is a huge advocate of the farm-to-table movement supporting organic, local farmers and the restaurants who serve their products.  You can count on Lindsey to be taking some kind of instructional class at any given moment - sailing, French, even calligraphy! (clearly she doesn't need fishing lessons). And good luck keeping up with this PR pro - she also loves to travel to exotic locations (lucky for her, Vineyard Vines catalogs are shot in some pretty fab places).

Favorite T.V. Show: Mad Men  - go figure :)

Sarah Hodges

As Russell & Mackenna's Flagship Store Manager and ASID Interior Designer, Sarah's got a lot on her plate! But once you get to know Sarah, you'll see that she wouldn't have it any other way. A type-A personality, she's always juggling room designs for a bazillion clients, and completes each one to fresh perfection! A veritable guru of color and design in all it's forms, Sarah's sense of style and space planning talents make her a genius in our book :) 

As a Southern Belle, Sarah loves her home state of North Carolina - High Point Furniture Market (of course), Wilmington Beaches, Cheerwine soda, and she'll recall her younger years in NC with the most adorable southern drawl... 

Interesting Fact: Sarah LOVES monograms - every day she arrives for work with her monogrammed laptop bag, monogrammed necklace, monogrammed ring and on most days, a monogrammed sweater!

Amy Lawrence

As our Public Relations Director, Amy is yet another example of a customer turned employee....it was love at first sight with a Deep Sea Wave Hall Table, and the rest is history. The only problem with hiring a Russell & Mackenna-obsessed PR Director? We have to hide any new furniture pieces painted in shades of blue (Amy's favorite color), for fear that it will end up at her place....joking aside, Amy says her love for all things Russell & Mackenna makes her job a breeze!

Charitable Cause: As a co-chair of the Chesapeake Bay Foundation's  "Bands in the Sand" event, Amy has managed to combine her love of socializing with her passion for bringing our beloved Chesapeake Bay back to good health!

Favorite Dream: We think Amy would secretly love to appear on the pages of a magazine - perhaps vacationing with her family at her favorite relaxation destination -  Sea Island Resort in coastal Georgia - while discussing the design features of the Russell & Mackenna Crib and Nursery Line....

Mattie Greenwell

As Director of Customer Service at Russell & Mackenna, Mattie is our Ambassador of Friendliness!  Always bounding with energy, we think Mattie is one of the happiest people on Earth - her positive energy is contagious!

She also holds an interior design degree and is an all-around smart cookie. So go ahead, give Mattie a call - ask her to weigh in on your most challenging design dilemma, or just check in to say "hi". We know she'd love to hear from you!

Fun Facts: Mattie LOVES everything Country Western - CMT, the music, the boots, and definitely the hats :) She is also a very "efficient" driver - having beaten the rest of the Russell & Mackenna slowpokes home from road trips by (not minutes) but hours!

Jill Soja

Although we weren’t looking for a Sales Associate in our flagship store, Jill’s persistence convinced us otherwise. Actually, she sent Lauren Russell several e-mails. After days with no response (Lauren is a BUSY lady), Jill picked up the phone, got Lauren on the line and promised that she’d go away if there really was no interest. Well, Lauren decided to invite her in for an interview. Jill’s infectious smile  and genuine interest in our company sealed the deal! Jill was hired. Proof that persistence pays!
 
Favorite Band: "I’ll always be a Grateful Dead fan at heart."

Stevie McConkey

Lisa’s youngest daughter will steal your heart in a New York minute. And while her contemporaries are playing “dress up”, this cutie is hosting her own Project Runway. She is widely known among the playground posse for her aggressive style attitude.

Typical Attire: Striped tights, polka dot sweater, a madras jacket accessorized with oversized sunglasses and a cowboy hat. Betsey Johnson, step aside. In this photo, Stevie is subdued and sporting a lime colored corduroy jumper from Vineyard Vines®.

Lauren Russell

As a co-founder of Russell & Mackenna, Lauren is the creative force behind the entire operation. In addition to her wonderful sense of humor and her ability to not take herself too seriously, her spirit and positive attitude foster great loyalty among her staff. Lauren told us she led a fairly boring life, but we suspected she was trying to avoid having us write a bio on her and our journalistic instincts told us to do some digging. Turns out Lauren is an MTV addict who can’t get enough of their reality shows — The Hills, Run’s House and MADE (aren’t they teen shows?) But wait, there’s more: she failed calculus in college; she’s tone deaf; she had a short-lived teenage rebellion that lasted all of one weekend and included a road trip to Nashville, a tattoo and a celebrity guitar player (who probably should remain nameless for legal purposes); and in her college facebook at Vanderbilt, Lauren listed sensationalizing as her favorite past time. So there you have it, she is boring!

Favorite Toy: "My New Apple MacBook Pro. Have you
seen the iChat video conference and the iPhoto slide shows? It’s so cool!"

Libby Russell

Lauren and Kevin’s youngest daughter is making her modeling debut in this catalog. Don’t let her cherubic looks fool you; she can be quite a hot head when she doesn’t get her way. That’s when Lauren and Kevin hit the deck, as Libby has the ability to throw toys equally far with either hand. She has also mastered the art of non-verbal communication with a method we call “point and click”; she points at the object she wants and makes a clicking noise. It’s like she has an invisible remote. While this typically doesn’t work for most people, it does for Libby — especially with the men in her life. If she’s got this down at such a young age, we wish Lauren and Kevin the best of luck when she reaches 16.

Favorite Game: "Tag, I’m it — I love being chased around the house by my big sisters and squealing as loud as possible!"

Anne & John Danneberger

The Dannebergers are neighbors of Kevin and Lauren and have watched the company shift from “the garage days” to the plant in Jessup, Maryland. They have 3 daughters and enjoy a very active lifestyle that includes tennis and boating. John, a urologist, is one of the few folks we know who does not eat crabs because he thinks they’re unhealthy. (Blasphemy!) On the upside, when he attends our crab feast, it just means there are more for the rest of us!

Anne's Favorite Drink: Bloody Mary, really spicy.

John's Favorite Drink: Guinness Beer - for the calories and protein before running in races.

Darby Lassiter

Darby (here with her daughter, Miranda) and Lauren Russell are not only cousins, but have been best friends for life. Besides growing up and going to college together, they worked in the same advertising agency after they graduated. Even their Labrador retrievers, Maggie and Hannah, are sisters from the same litter. A little inside info on Darby: she’s as Irish as Irish can be, right down to the shamrock tattooed on her bum. The jury is out on how her great uncle, the late Cardinal Shehan, would feel about this; he was Archbishop of Baltimore from 1961 until he retired in 1974. One final note:  This year, our catalog was a tremendous accomplishment which we could not have completed without her graphic design support.  Thanks, Darbs!

Darby's Favorite Magazine: "Every Day with Rachel Ray - when I can spare 30 minutes!"

Miranda's Favorite TV Show: iCarly

Sawyer Russell

Lauren & Kevin Russell’s oldest daughter not only looks like a miniature version of Lauren, she is already showing signs of incredible artistic talent. Her collage “Chinese Dragon” was recently selected for display at the local library. Aside from her love for arts and crafts, she is an animal fanatic. In fact, the Russell family has played host family to a turtle named Fred, an injured bunny named Holly and a baby snake that slithered away too soon to be named!

Favorite Toy: "All of my Webkinz® animals!"

Favorite TV Show: iCarly

Larry Strassner

Shortly after settling into the art of retirement (relaxing, golfing and spending time with his grandchildren), Larry’s daughter, Lauren Russell, asked for his help in launching her new business. And, just like that, Larry came out of retirement and became the President of Russell & Mackenna. We can sum “Fa-fa”, as his grandchildren lovingly refer to him, up like this: he’s a tractor-ridin’, cigar lovin’, John Denver fan who’s proving that he can grow a start-up into a multi-million dollar company with his hands tied behind his back.

Favorite TV Show: "It’s a toss up, Hardball with Chris Matthews or Countdown with Keith Olbermann – both on MSNBC."

Favorite Newsletter: "Richard Russell’s Dow Theory Letter for a common sense overview about the financial impact of world events."

Kevin Russell

As the only founder of Russell & Mackenna who can actually build furniture, woodworking hobbyists reading this may be encouraged to know that Kevin wasn’t born with this natural gift. In fact, we have the first piece of furniture Kevin ever built on display at our corporate office. It bares a slight resemblance to our Lydia bookshelf. Aside from the occasional laughs it gets, we keep it here to serve as a reminder of how far Kevin has come as a builder, how far Russell & Mackenna has come as a company and how far anyone can go with anything if they set their mind to it.

Favorite TV Show: "Toss up between M*A*S*H and This Old House."

Gretchen Russell

“Little Miss Sunshine” is the extrovert of the Russell family. Having dinner at the Russell household? You can expect to watch Gretchen’s interpretive dance routine, after which, pom-poms in hand, she will lead the group in a rousing cheer, finally closing the pre-dinner show with her rendition of “You Had a Bad Day.” Bottom line, Gretchen is worth the price of admission. Like her sisters, Gretchen is also a daddy’s girl – never very far from Kevin’s side. 

Favorite TV Show: Sponge Bob Square Pants

Favorite Color: Purple

Mary & Hal Quayle

Mary, with a truly instinctual eye for both color and design, is our go to stylist for photo shoots. Hal is the owner of Quayle & Company, an award-winning design/build company located in the building adjacent to our Severna Park store. Needless to say, this pair of artistic love birds get to eat lunch together just about every day. Isn’t that sweet? Aside from two grown sons, they also have an English Pointer, Wedge. Sadly, however, we have had to ban Wedge from all company functions — the last time she attended, she drank too much and then ate all the hors d’oeuvres!

Mary's Favorite Drink: Fordham Tavern Ale

Hal's Favorite Drink: Sierra Nevada Pale Ale

Peter and Cathie Trogden

Although newcomers to Russell & Mackenna, Cathie and Peter are no strangers to coastal influences. Their company, Weems & Plath, is well-known and respected in boating circles as the go-to company for nautical accessories. Peter proved his prowess as ship’s captain aboard Bee Weems* at our 5 a.m. photo shoot as he directed the 3 boat floatilla in Asquith Creek off the Severn River. As much as we appreciate all of his suggestions and support, we will also be forever grateful to Cathie for finding the 15 typos in our party invite. Thanks, Cathie!

Peter's Favorite Dessert: Strawberry Shortcake

Cathie's Favorite Drink: Iced or hot tea — English Breakfast with milk to be exact — depending on the season.

Emma Hall

Emma, who was our marketing assistant intern, is pictured here having fun on the beach in the Domincan Republic with her two older sisters (Emma is in front, followed by Lindsay and Katie); all are top-notch students. Emma will be off to American University in the Fall, Lindsay is a student at Virginia Tech, and Katie will be transferring to University of Maryland this Fall. You better believe mom and dad are so very proud. 

Favorite Drink: Orangina 

(We are aware that this link takes you to a French website. If you can find an English website for Orangina, please write and send us the link! We spent far too long looking ourselves!)

Job You Want When You Grow Up: Traveling Journalist

Pat Strassner

Larry’s wife has our vote for for being the world’s perkiest person. A flight attendant for almost 30 years, it’s not surprising when she tries to offer us a pillow, a beverage and a pack of peanuts. Pat’s enviable positive attitude, sense of humor and genuineness, truly make her one of a kind.

Favorite Website: "www.marilu.com for the Total Health Makeover online classes and posting with Marilu Henner!"

Favorite TV Show: What Not to Wear

Lisa McConkey

Lisa McConkey, our former Director of Public Relations, left Russell & Mackenna in order to spend more time with her family and pursue other passions — that’s what she told us anyway. We have a theory that Microsoft secretly sent a head hunter to steal her away from us. Not for her PR prowess like you might think, but rather to assist and educate their Excel software developers. You see, Lisa’s excellence in Excel’s formulas, functions, look ups and linking workbooks goes far beyond what you and I could even fathom are the capabilities of such a powerful program; she uses the software to manage all aspects of her life. Sources will not confirm it, but we have a hunch that Lisa’s holiday shopping and grocery lists are even in spreadsheet format.

Super Hero You Would Most Like To Be: "Elastic Girl from The Incredibles — great mom and kicks ass!"

Don Nippard And Janet Anderson

Super supporters, Don & Janet are there for us all of the time, especially when there's a party to be had. Don, with Dark-n-Stormy in hand, will jump right in — unless it has anything to do with his neglected boat Planet Janet. While his wife, Janet, would like to see the "other woman" in Don's life disappear, the neighborhood squirrels are winning the battle to keep their home, so far.

Don's Favorite Music: "U2, no question! The Boss is a close second, but is there really any music beyond that?"

Book Janet Puts Out to Impress People: "The Russell & Mackenna Catalog."
AWWW – thanks, Janet!

Scott Strassner

Lauren Russell’s older brother is a true renaissance man. Scott is an actor, screenwriter, and a residential developer in Los Angeles, and Lauren confesses that she has always aspired to be like him. And, like most big brothers, Scott is always looking out for Lauren. During her college years, not only did Scott give Lauren a heads up on a much sought-after graphic design summer internship, having the inside scoop on the interview process and questions, he coached her extensively. No surprise, she walked away with the job. Although there was cheating and nepotism involved, it’s still a heart-warming story.

What Car Would You Most Like To Be?: "The DeLorean from Back to the Future, so I could time travel."

Sydney McConkey

Sydney is the oldest of Lisa McConkey’s two daughters. She has bright red hair, an infectous smile and boundless energy. Sydney told us that the celeb she would most like to meet is Miley Cyrus. Well, Santa Claus hooked her up this year when he left tickets to the most sought after tween concert in the land. Unfortunately, this time around, Sydney did not get the VIP backstage access upgrade. Although, knowing her Public Relations Phenom of a mother, we are quite confident that it was not for lack of trying. Maybe next year, Sydney!

Personal Hero: "My younger sister, Stevie, because she is funny and nice."

Susan Schmicker

"Schmickie", as her friends affectionately call her, has a dual role here at Russell & Mackenna: Office Administrator and Financial Analyst. She is pictured above with her husband, Jim, a yacht designer whom she met when she was Office Manager of an America's Cup Design Team in Newport. They have two daughters, Kate and Emily. We’ve noticed that Susan has a tendency to talk to herself while she works, but so far it's been a one-sided conversation. And, if something strikes her as funny, her contagious laugh keeps bubbling up hours after its initial onset.

Favorite Drink: "A see-through – a good gin & tonic – with Schweppes, the ONLY tonic water!"

Tom Lindsay

Tom is a great supporter of the Russell & Mackenna family and business, and a loyal friend. From elevators to flags, Tom has never met a company he didn’t want to own or wasn’t considering for purchase, including ours! His 12 year old daughter introduced him on career day as an "idea guy". In reality, most of his ideas pertain to how to beat the Round Bay Golf Team at the Rideout Cup Golf Tournament. Tom, a hands-on dad, is a favorite among the neighborhood kids and is always ready for a pick-up game of hoops. 

Favorite TV Show: Green Acres

Favorite Music: Clapton

Tom Roe

With his quick wit, smooth painting technique and bellowing Donna Summer arias, Tom Roe, our head painter, keeps us hopping around the offices of Russell & Mackenna — as long as the coffee continues to flow and the production schedule runs smoothly; run out of Maxwell House and things grind to a halt. To burn off the extra java energy in the evening, you may see him and his wife, Anya, peddling around Round Bay on their matching beach cruisers. If you see him, be sure to wave and ask him to belt out a few lines from, "Bad Girls."

Favorite Past Time: "Fishing, even though I never catch anything."