Ralph Russo

Ralph Russo is Director of the Tulane University School of Professional Advancement Information Technology Programs, where he is focused on keeping learning delivery and the Information Technology curriculum on pace with cutting-edge technology, security and industry advancement. Mr. Russo also holds the title of Senior Professor of Practice. He created and delivered the first graduate and undergraduate cybersecurity courses at Tulane in 2011, and has taught in both the Homeland Security and Information Technology programs.

Mr. Russo is a nationally recognized subject matter expert on technology in the homeland security and public safety domains. He has served in Director-level leadership positions for technology/systems integration companies for over 15 years. He has also consulted for multiple federal, state and local jurisdictions to successfully guide the development, deployment and adoption of IT systems for security and public safety.

Mr. Russo retired from the New York City Police Department (NYPD) in 2005. His 20+ year career with NYPD included leadership positions in a wide array of investigative and field assignments. Of note, Mr. Russo served as the Commanding Officer of an Organized Crime Control HIDTA Task Force of Local/State/Federal law enforcement. He also served as a Commanding Officer at NYPD Intelligence RIC/Watch, where he designed, managed and implemented agency-wide law enforcement and homeland security systems for tracking Confidential Informants, Search Warrants and Counterterrorism Leads - including the NYC Terrorism Hotline (888-NYC-SAFE).

As an entrepreneur, he has co-owned two startup technology firms. These small businesses focused on delivering secure solutions to businesses handling personal data, and on creating, marketing and delivering software for Police Officers seeking to advance their careers.

Russo holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Business and a Master of Science degree in Information Technology.

Mr. Russo is passionate about technology, and its real-world uses. He is strongly motivated to educate and prepare students in different phases of their careers to lead secure technology programs that drive innovation and safety in the community, while engendering trust and bringing value to the users.

Mr. Russo lives in the New Orleans area with his wife Michelle, a Federal IT Program Manager and expert on Lean/Agile IT operations, and their family.

His hobbies include trying to pronounce the r’s at the ends of words, and rooting for the New York Yankees - and any team playing the Red Sox.