# J. Russell Krueger

> J. Russell Krueger, also known as Russ Krueger, is the founder and former CEO of Ocozzio. After a corporate career that included 20 years with Newell-Rubbermaid, he founded a Columbus giftware business in 1991 and sold it in 1997. A consulting request from a former employee led him to start Ocozzio in 2000. He also wrote Stepping UP for middle school students and served in Augusta business leadership. Broadtree Partners lists Ocozzio in its portfolio from March 2021; its founder testimonial describes Krueger’s subsequent pursuits as golf and furniture making.

- **Role:** Founder and former CEO at Ocozzio
- **Organizations:** Ocozzio, Newell-Rubbermaid, Augusta Metro Chamber of Commerce
- **Education:** BS in Psychology, Mercer University, MBA in Marketing, Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University
- **Known for:** Founded Ocozzio in 2000., Selected for the 2017 Augusta’s Entrepreneur award., Received a 1996 Entrepreneur of the Year recognition, as recorded in his Chamber biography.

## Career timeline

- **Before 1991** — Corporate career included 20 years with Newell-Rubbermaid; public biographies also list senior marketing and general management roles without assigning dates to each.
- **1991** — Started a giftware company in Columbus, Ohio.
- **1996** — Received an Entrepreneur of the Year recognition described in his Chamber biography as USA Today / Ernst & Young; award region and category are not specified.
- **1997** — Sold the giftware business to a Boston investment banking firm and retired with plans to play golf and write books.
- **2000** — Founded Ocozzio after a former employee requested consulting help.
- **2013** — Listed as vice chairman of the Augusta Metro Chamber of Commerce in its 2013 board roster.
- **2015** — Speaker biography reported more than 600,000 copies sold of Stepping UP, his book for middle school students.
- **2016** — Identified as chairman of the Augusta Chamber of Commerce in local television reporting.
- **2017** — Presented with colleagues at the Executive Forum; selected for Augusta’s Entrepreneur recognition and December luncheon keynote.
- **2021-03** — Ocozzio joined the Broadtree Partners portfolio, according to the investor’s portfolio listing.

## Achievements

- Founded Ocozzio in 2000.
- Selected for the 2017 Augusta’s Entrepreneur award.
- Received a 1996 Entrepreneur of the Year recognition, as recorded in his Chamber biography.
- Authored Stepping UP; a 2015 speaker biography reported sales exceeding 600,000 copies.
- Led Ocozzio during its expansion to clients in more than 35 states by 2017.

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Last updated: 2026-10-23