Todd Russ was a community bank CEO in Oklahoma who decided to become a public servant. He ran for Treasurer which he saw as a low-key “worker bee” kind of job. But when he learned how gigantic Wall Street firms like Blackrock were managing the pension assets of public workers and using those assets to undermine the hydrocarbon economy on which the workers of Oklahoma depend, he decided to go to battle. Working with the state legislature he helped change the law to allow the state to stop doing business with financial firms that boycott or undermine the energy industry. But then came the backlash. Treasurer Russ tells his story and why he is undeterred in his fight to see that ESG investing will not be used as a weapon against the people he works for – the citizens of Oklahoma.  

Todd Russ was a community bank CEO in Oklahoma who decided to become a public servant. He ran for Treasurer which he saw as a low-key “worker bee” kind of job. But when he learned how gigantic Wall Street firms like Blackrock were managing the pension assets of public workers and using those assets to undermine the hydrocarbon economy on which the workers of Oklahoma depend, he decided to go to battle. Working with the state legislature he helped change the law to allow the state to stop doing business with financial firms that boycott or undermine the energy industry. But then came the backlash. Treasurer Russ tells his story and why he is undeterred in his fight to see that ESG investing will not be used as a weapon against the people he works for – the citizens of Oklahoma.

Meeting of Minds brings together the top minds in history, theology, finance, economics, language, mathematics and science. Host Jerry Bowyer invites guests to be both intelligent and clear and to follow truth wherever it leads.

Meeting of Minds brings together the top minds in history, theology, finance, economics, language, mathematics and science. Host Jerry Bowyer invites guests to be both intelligent and clear and to follow truth wherever it leads.

Meeting of Minds Podcast

I talk to the smartest people in the world about the wisest people who have ever lived, and I ask them not to dumb it down and not to follow any party line.

I talk to the smartest people in the world about the wisest people who have ever lived, and I ask them not to dumb it down and not to follow any party line.