by: Lorna Wright
LAUDERHILL – Barrington A. Russell, a Jamaican, migrated to the United States in 1987 and later became a citizen. He is the owner of a successful real estate company which offers a hands-on approach to selling and also offers professionals in the real estate sales industry opportunities to sell. His passion for community involvement in his city, schools, and Broward County is expressed in the myriad of activities highlighted in his biography and also shines through when engaged in animated conversation with him.
Barrington A. Russell
Community Service Highlights
Russell was elected as a Commissioner of Lauderdale Lakes in 2004 and has been serving as Vice Mayor since 2005. In addition to public service, his service at the board and committee levels in civic organizations is too numerous to mention all. However, highlights of his community involvement include serving as (1) Vice President of the Parent-Teachers Association of Castle Hill Elementary School; (2) 2003-2004 President of Kiwanis Club of Lauderdale Lakes/West Sunrise; (3) Public Relations Director of Caribbean Heart Menders; (4) Board Member of SOS Children’s Village; and (5) Auxiliary Board Member of the Susan B. Anthony Home for battered women. Russell has been able to balance his family responsibilities, his public service and other community involvement with grace.
Career Highlights
Before migrating to the United States, Russell worked as a Cadet for the Planning & Research Agency in Kingston. He later joined the Jamaica Constabulary Force and after two years was assigned as an Immigration Officer in Montego Bay. In 1984 he became an insurance agent for Jamaica Mutual Life and quickly achieved No. 1 status. To further his ambition, he moved to Orlando in 1987 and joined Century 21 All-Pro Realty Service as an agent.
In December 1990, he was persuaded to join the real estate practice of long-time friend and mentor, Howard Daniels, owner of Excelsior Realty, a Fort Lauderdale. In 1993, Russell moved to ReMax – when he left four years later to join ReMax Network, he was “Agent of the Year.” In 1996, he gained his Brokers License; in 1998 became broker/owner of Barrington A. Russell, P.A. Realtor. He owns his present office location and other business condominiums in the building, and now wants to expand his practice to 20-30 agents.
Russell’s Basic Philosophies
No. 1 Insurance Agent: “Achievement requires the balance of empathy and ego.”
Success: “Success lies in being able to activate people’s dreams and find solutions.”
Mentorship: “Ability to reach and touch someone to help bring out the best potential.”
Government’s Role: “To legislate and influence.”
Involvement: “Take responsibility and get involved. Male persons should get more involved with their family, community, business, government, country and the world.” The writer’s addition to this is more women should also do this.
Russell’s involvement runs the gamut with school, government, children, women’s issues, including Leadership Broward Class XXII 2004, a training experience to heighten one’s leadership abilities, and shows that he is applying his own advice. He is a magnanimous man. According to Daniels, “All my experiences with Barrington have been positive – there’s nothing negative.” Russell is married with two children.
