UNeTech Institute is pleased to welcome Lamonte Russell as its new strategy & ventures manager. Russell joins UNeTech after a long career with the military, including roles with the US Army, the Department of Defense, and the Veterans Administration. He holds both an MA in National Security and Strategic Studies from the Naval War College and an MS in Environmental Science from Webster University. In his free time, Russell is an Assistant Scoutmaster with the Boy Scouts of America and volunteers with a number of local organizations including Heart Ministry Center and Bethlehem House.
Lamonte Russell, strategy & ventures manager
UNeTech’s strategy & ventures manager is a relatively new role, one that works alongside entrepreneur-in-residence Stephen Hug. Because of that, Hug was integral in the interviewing and hiring process for the role. “Lamonte is a proven leader with the experience of creating and launching innovative, strategic programs to improve performance,” said Hug. “His distinguished military career, private sector experience, and education prepared Lamonte for the role as strategy and ventures manager. He is a hands-on leader who will support inventors and entrepreneurs in their mission to advance new business opportunities.”
Community engagement coordinator Jennifer Pool said she is thrilled to collaborate with Russell as a part of her outreach initiatives for potential entrepreneurs and innovators. “Lamonte’s contacts and experience are going to bring so much to the UNeTech team, particularly in the way we are able to engage with Veterans.” She said they plan to work together in future partnerships with military organizations, including one UNeTech has already begun with local agency Bunker Labs, who supports Veteran small business owners and entrepreneurs.
For his part, Russell said the team made him feel like a part of the UNeTech family from day one. “My first impression of UNeTech was just how welcoming the team made me feel,” Russell said. “I initially felt that being new to the academic and entrepreneurial industry would place me at a disadvantage; however, the team immediately embraced me as their own and brought me up to speed. There are several cogs to move the UNeTech machine, and I am blessed to be a part of such a dynamic and fantastic team.”
Since his arrival at UNeTech, Russell has already had the chance to step in and work with the students at the College of Business at UNO, something UNeTech associate director Joe Runge said he sees as a huge benefit for UNeTech. “I feel so confident seeing Lamonte take over projects. He has a natural understanding of strategy and a quiet dedication to excellence in everything he does. He has brought amazing discipline and focus in this collaboration with the Maverick Technology Ventures Alliance, and I cannot wait to see what the student-led projects will look like under his supervision.”
Russell shared that working with Runge and the other members of the team has already helped him transition easily into his role. “I’m mainly excited to work at UNeTech because of the positive synergy of community, collaboration, and free-thinking invitation,” he said. “Everyone is welcome to share their experiences and expertise with a well-diverse group of enterprise partners. UNeTech has a warm and supportive staff and management team providing a culture of teamwork.”
If you have ideas for Russell in his role as strategy & ventures manager, you can reach him at lrussell@unmc.edu. He is open to collaborating with potential innovators, entrepreneurs, and funders in the Omaha startup community.
