FLACARS EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS MESSAGE 

I met John Russi in 1989, when he was appointed as the Director of the Division of Licensing.  Prior to Mr. Russi’s appointment to this critically important position in state government, this position was usually filled by some unqualified bureaucrat as a political pay back for “services rendered”.

I can remember, and so can many others including; Jeanne Bennett, Rusty Ansell, Harry Forrest, Dan Fordham and other recovery agents who attended PIRSAC meetings, not even be allowed to speak for our profession.  It had been that way as long as I could remember, and we did not expect any change when Mr. Russi came aboard.  How wrong we were and how appreciative we have become for that appointment in 1989 by then Secretary of State, Jim Smith. 

The first change John Russi made was to initiate an “open door” policy and invited anyone, from any of the professions regulated by the Division of Licensing, to call him, write him, or come to his office to meet with him personally.  His philosophy was, and is, that if you had a plan for bettering any of the professions regulated by his agency, he would listen, and act upon it. 

The second change he made was to appoint a representative from the collateral recovery industry to serve on the PIRSAC Council, a first for our profession.  Dan Fordham was the first to be privileged to serve on the council.  I was honored to be the second. 

During my service on the council, Chapter 493, as required by Florida Statute went through the “Sunset Review” process.  It was during this period that, working with John Russi and his staff, along with the original board of directors of FALR and with input from recovery agent licensees, we suggested a number of changes to Chapter 493 as it applied to the collateral recovery profession.  John Russi saw that those changes were needed and justified, and he worked (successfully), to include those changes in the new version of Chapter 493. 

One of those changes was to include a definition of when repossession is complete.  This was a critical issue when dealing with law enforcement.  Another issue for our profession was professionalism, so we asked that we be referred to in Chapter 493 as Recovery Agents, rather than repossessors.  Still another issue was the right to charge a reasonable fee for the inventorying and storage of personal property.  And a part of that issue was a procedure for handling personal property that would withstand legal challenges.   

There was a time when our profession had to pay $2.50 to send out certified mail notifying debtors about their personal property.  Over a period of a year this requirement amounted to hundreds of dollars of lost profits for collateral recovery agents.  I went to John with a proposal to change this requirement to allow for such mailings to be done through the “proof of mailing” process which costs less than 50 cents.  Without hesitation, without having to hire a lobbyist, with simple common sense and without a long, drawn out, costly process, he caused it to happen. All of these changes, and many more, are the result of the professional and common sense approach of John Russi. 

On numerous occasions I have called John’s office in Tallahassee as early as 7 am, and it would be John Russi who answered the telephone.  I challenge anyone to call any other state office at that time of the morning and get anyone to answer. 

When other regulators within state government continually raised licensing fees, John Russi was decreasing fees within the professions which he was responsible for regulating, and in the fourteen years of his Directorship there has been no increase in those fees. 

I could write a book on the many positive changes in our profession that are the results of the open mindedness, the cooperation, the integrity and the professionalism of John Russi. 

John Russi is not an ordinary man.  He is a man of extraordinary vision, intellect and common sense, a man of honor, of impeccable character and integrity.   

On December 31, 2003, Mr. Russi will retire from his position as Director of the Division of Licensing.  We will truly miss him. 

Those of us who have worked with John and who were aware that his retirement was imminent had great concern as to how we would be received by his successor.  Not to worry.  John was way ahead of us on this too.  His appointed successor, Mr. Gene Bryan is as close to a mirror image of John Russi’s philosophy as one can get.  We are most fortunate to have the “changing of the guard” continue the integrity and professionalism to the degree that John brought with him in 1989.  We have included a resume on Mr. Bryan in this newsletter and we urge you to read it and welcome him to the position of Director. 

For the last three years, my wife and I have been working to create a college scholarship fund in recognition of John Russi’s service to his country as a United States Marine, to the citizens of the Great State of Florida for his twenty-eight years in law enforcement, and for his fourteen years of service to those of us within the collateral recovery, private investigation and private security professions.   We knew this could not be accomplished while John remained as Director because we knew he would not agree to, nor sanction any action that might, in any way, suggest any impropriety in his dealing with all licensees on an equal basis. 

With the announcement of his retirement, effective December 31, 2003, we have made the decision to go forward with the John R. Russi Scholarship Fund.  We have contacted Tallahassee Community College and are awaiting the proper paper work to complete the process. 

Matrix Educational Systems, Inc. will create this scholarship fund with a $1000 donation.  We have been virtually assured that the Florida Legislature will match all scholarship donations, dollar for dollar from lottery funds designated for education.  This will be an endowed scholarship fund, meaning that funds will accumulate until a yearly scholarship of  $1000 can be awarded in perpetuity.  AND THIS IS WHERE YOU COME IN!!! 

We are soliciting donations from “our people”, licensees from the collateral recovery profession to participate in funding this scholarship.  We are not putting a minimum or maximum figure on this request.  Any amount you contribute will be sincerely appreciated.  It is not often that an entire profession has such a rare and unique opportunity to recognize the accomplishments of someone who is considered by those who know him, as “one of us”.   All donations should be directed to The John R. Russi Scholarship Fund, and sent to Post Office Box 3566, Ocala, FL 34478. 

The general perimeters of who would be eligible to receive one of the scholarships will be children of our military hero’s who have given their lives for our country, children of those who have lost their lives while serving within one of the three professions regulated by Chapter 493, and children of law enforcement officers who have given their lives in the line of duty.  This criteria will be finalized by the staff of Tallahassee Community College, with industry input, and then be administered by the Community College staff with this responsibility. 

 A similar request will go out from those who represent the private investigation and private security professions, and we are looking for overwhelming participation. 

We salute you, Mr. John Russi, with the words you live by…….SEMPERFI! 

Joe Taylor
Executive Director
FLACARS
FALR Member