In russ you can trust.
Russell T. Cleveland, a Navy brat, was born on April 20, 1985, in San Diego, California, to Montanan parents Gayla and Chief Petty Officer Russell A. Cleveland. After his father’s enlistment ended in 1990, Russ’s family moved back to their home state of Montana, setting roots on a 20-acre farm in the Bitterroot Valley. Russ attended Lone Rock Elementary and Stevensville Junior High and High School, graduating in 2003. Like many Montanans, Russ grew up an avid outdoorsman, hunting and fishing all over Western Montana, even earning his Eagle Scout at the early age of 13. While in high school Russ competed in football, basketball, and track, and served as the National Honors Society President, Class President, and Student Body President. Russ was chosen to represent his school and the State of Montana in both American Legion's Boys State and Boys Nation as a Senator, giving him his first taste in politics and American government.
After high school, Russ went on to study electrical engineering at Montana Tech in 2003, playing football as a wide receiver and defensive back for two years (on full scholarship) before voluntarily enlisting in the U.S. Navy in 2006 to join the War on Terror. Graduating top of his class, Russ served as an Aviation Electrician for the now decommissioned MH-53E squadron HM-14, based out of Norfolk, Virginia. Russ completed active duty in late 2009, honorably discharging and returning to college at the University of Nevada - Reno. He graduated from UNR with honors, earning a Bachelor of Science in Nutrition, pairing it shortly after with a Master Fitness Trainer certificate from the International Sports Science Association. In the summer of 2012, using knowledge gained in service to our nation, Russ founded Pedal4Prevention, a non-profit aimed at raising awareness and funds to help prevent childhood obesity. In exchange for pledges, Russ completed a 3500+ mile solo, unsupported cycling trip (riding an average distance of over 100 miles a day) from coast to coast, starting in Ocean Shores, WA, and ending six weeks later in Gloucester, MA. His efforts with Pedal4Prevention made it possible for more than $10,000 in donations to the Alliance for a Healthier Generation.
In the fall of 2012, Russ moved to Seattle to continue his studies at Seattle University, earning a Master’s in Sports Administration and Leadership (MBA of Sport). He was also selected to complete a Graduate Certificate in Seattle University's renowned Executive Leadership Program (ELP). Classmates in his ELP cohort (some of the top executives in the Pacific Northwest from companies like Costco, Expedia, and Boeing) inspired Russ to broaden his professional horizons — he joined US Bank in 2015, but not before marrying his longtime friend, Dr. Kate Cleveland, whom he had met during their teenage years on a Scouting trip to the San Juan Islands in Washington. Together with their then three children, the family moved to Denver, Colorado, where Russ quickly found success within the banking industry — he was awarded Manager of the Year for the Fortune 500 company just a year later.
Building on that success, Russ co-founded (in 2016) a school-age childcare and enrichment company in Colorado known as Rocky Mountain Kids. In just seven years, Russ, his wife Kate, and business partner Brennan Fontaine grew the startup organization to over 40 licensed locations, serving more than 9000 children, and reaching nearly $7mil in annual sales. This growth led to his departure from US Bank in 2019 and his transition to CEO of Rocky Mountain Kids which served the greater Denver area in a multitude of capacities, including being the first to open remote learning centers during the public school COVID shutdowns of 2020, and again later by adding early childhood education programs in tandem with Colorado’s emerging Universal Pre-K focus.
In 2021, the Cleveland family moved back to Montana after the tragic death of their 13-year-old daughter, Madison, who passed away in August of 2020 after losing her battle with Leukemia. In a commitment to honor Madison’s dream of living on a horse ranch in Montana, Russ and Kate bought land (now known to the Saint Regis community as Madison Ranch) along the Clark Fork River. Along with building their own home on the property, as well as the retirement homes for both Russ’s parents and Kate’s father, John, Russ worked tirelessly in the summer of 2022 and 2023 to help solve dire housing shortages in the St. Regis community, ultimately adding seven apartments near Saint Regis Public Schools. Many of these units still directly support the schools’ teachers and staff. Russ currently coaches football and track at the high school, while Kate coaches girls basketball and serves on the school board with her father-in-law, Russ Sr. Rocky Mountain Kids was acquired by a like competitor in October 2024 and Kate continues her company role as National Operations Director, serving both organizations’ shared passion for youth development, education, and health and wellness.
Unfortunately, much has changed since the sale of their company in October of 2024, including Mr. Cleveland’s personal plans. While early retirement was an option, the actions of President Trump have inspired Russ to bring our State together to fight the Executive Branch’s overreach of power, depolarize both parties, and bring bipartisan efforts back to D.C. Russ’s experience, passion, and commitment to Montana and its families, paired alongside his core values, have perfectly prepared him to fight for preserving the future of Montana at the national level. Read more about Russ’s political views and pledge your support to join the movement. Russ is committed to stand against the billionaire elitists, instead running a grassroots campaign by Montanans, for Montanans.