Russell Schell Conserves Energy, Comes Home From The West Coast 🌿🌊🏠

Join Conrad Fargo on this enlightening episode of "The Fargo Five" as he interviews Russell Shell, a military veteran and entrepreneur with a remarkable journey. Russell shares his life story, starting with his adventures on the West Coast, living in California, Portland, and Seattle, before moving to Libby, Montana, where his family bought a gas station. Eventually, they returned to North Dakota, leading Russell to a career at Hill Air Force Base and Lockheed Space and Missile Company, where he contributed to the Hubble Telescope project. After various stints across the country, Russell settled back in North Dakota in 2007.

Russell dives into the challenges and triumphs of his entrepreneurial ventures, from running a gas station to owning a refrigeration and heating business. An environmental cleanup led to selling his company to Johnson Controls, prompting moves to Spokane and Portland before returning to North Dakota to be closer to family. In Fargo, Russell initially worked for the Trane Corporation but soon followed his entrepreneurial spirit, founding RJ Energy Solutions in 2013. He recounts the early days of brainstorming business names and models, leveraging his HVAC experience to build a successful company that now looks to expand.

The conversation shifts to Russell's involvement with the El Zagal Shrine, a fraternal organization known for its charitable work. Russell explains his journey from initial curiosity to becoming an active member, deeply involved in recruiting and supporting the Shrine's mission. He highlights the impactful work of the Shriners Hospitals for Children, sharing his experiences visiting the hospitals and witnessing their positive influence.

A significant portion of the episode covers the upcoming Nine Hole-in-One event organized by El Zagal Shrine. Scheduled for August 1st, from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., this exciting golfing competition offers fantastic prizes, including vehicles, side-by-sides, and cash. Russell elaborates on the event logistics, the unique one-swing-per-hole format, and the community spirit it fosters. Despite past weather challenges, he remains optimistic about this year's turnout and the fun-filled day ahead.

Russell also shares insights into RJ Energy Solutions, from its humble beginnings to its current successes. He discusses their innovative predictive diagnostic software launched in 2017, which foresees mechanical failures weeks before they happen, allowing for timely maintenance and preventing costly breakdowns. The episode covers the technical details of this system and its application in both commercial and residential settings. Conrad adds his perspective as a realtor, highlighting the value of predictive diagnostics in assessing home appliances.

The discussion touches on RJ Energy Solutions' energy efficiency audits, including comprehensive home assessments to identify energy leaks and improve efficiency. Russell and Conrad emphasize the importance of understanding appliance life cycles and making informed decisions about repairs and replacements. The conversation then shifts to renewable energy, with Russell offering his insights on the challenges and potential of wind energy.

As the episode wraps up, Russell humorously recounts his experiences working in Fargo's extreme weather and the resilience required to thrive in such conditions. He shares the sunny perspective his wife brought from the West Coast, appreciating the bright days in Fargo despite the cold.

Tune in to this episode of "The Fargo Five" for an inspiring story of resilience, entrepreneurship, and community service, showcasing the spirit of Fargo and its extraordinary residents. Connect with us on our website, Spotify, and Facebook to stay updated and engaged with the community. Join us as we bring you more stories that define our North of Normal metro, celebrating the remarkable people who make Fargo special.