Russ Baker joins Next Level Private after a successful 35-year career in the financial services industry trading securities at various big banks. Russ’s most rewarding days did not come from getting the market correct. Rather, Russ realized his sense of worth came from contribution. This unnegotiable desire to help others pulled him to help build a business at C-19 Safety First where he served as the Director of Operations and Client Services. During this time Russ was dedicated to bringing New York back to work and school safely from Covid-19 managing testing programs for Westchester Schools, NYC Charter Schools, as well as the U.S. Tennis Open and the Metropolitan Opera. As a client for over 20 years, Russ knew providing for others was a way of life here at Next Level Private. Russ and his wife Jennifer value the many evening kitchen table conversations with Barry to navigate life’s happy and challenging curves. Russ knew first-hand the importance of what Next Level Private gives to their clients and was compelled to be part of something this unique in the wealth management and planning business.
Russ lives in New Rochelle with his wife, Jennifer. He is extremely proud of the family and life they have built. They raised 4 children—Meghan, Brian, Lauren and Kevin—and became grandparents in 2021. Russ is very proud that through thoughtful planning, his children all went on to receive their college degrees. That commitment to planning is yet another reason that Russ is such a great fit for the team as his passion is to help successful regular people plan for, and continue to build toward, financial independence. Russ brings professional and family life experience along with the understanding that in life, things change. He appreciates the need for a strong financial plan to help with life’s changes and a healthy financial future.
Russ and his family are longtime supporters of Swim Across America—as donors and as swimmers. Outside of the office, you can find Russ out for a swim or on the paddle tennis courts. Russ is a 1983 Graduate of Chaminade High School and earned a B.S. in Finance from Villanova University 1986, where he was a member of the Villanova Rugby Club and LXA Fraternity.