We are delighted to announce that Russ Levanway will be REACH’s new vice president, starting a gradual transition from his role as CIO Solutions president in November.
Many of you likely know Russ from his years of business and community leadership in the region, and we are thrilled to welcome him to the REACH team for this next chapter of his career.
“I’ve felt a strong pull to give back to the community where I built my business over 16 years,” he said. “So many of us have faced the pain points and challenges of running a business, and I’m eager to join this impressive team effort helping companies across the Central Coast become successful job-creators and propel the region’s economy forward.”
Russ founded TekTegrity in 2005, growing it into a leading managed IT company twice recognized on the Inc. 5000. He completed four acquisitions and the sale of TekTegrity to CIO Solutions in 2018, staying on as president to oversee a successful integration of the two companies throughout the Central Valley and San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara Counties.
In the meantime, Russ has been active in the business and entrepreneurship community, serving as board chair and other high-level roles at the San Luis Obispo Chamber of Commerceand the Central Coast Software and Technology Association (Softec), as well as nonprofits including Friends of the Prado Day Center and Big Brothers Big Sisters.
His accomplishments have earned many accolades, including the Pacific Coast Business Times’ Who’s Who in Business Leadership and Top 40 under 40 and the San Luis Obispo Tribune’s Top 20 under 40.
The sum of this experience leaves Russ well positioned to lead the industry engagement, workforce development and business attraction/expansion initiatives that will be a major focus in the coming years. He also brings expertise in building and managing teams that will be valuable as REACH continues to grow and develop its organizational muscle.
“Russ emerged from a competitive field of candidates as a community-minded leader with firsthand knowledge of the needs of Central Coast businesses, a genuine passion to serve the region, and the ability to work collaboratively to get big things done,” REACH President/CEO Melissa James said. “We look forward to the caring and thoughtful approach he brings to advancing the REACH mission.”
