In russ we trust.
Russell T. Cleveland was born on April 20, 1985 in San Diego, California, a Navy brat to Montanan parents Gayla and Chief Petty Officer Russell A. Cleveland. After his fathers enlistment ended, Russ’s family moved back to their home state of Montana, setting roots on a 20 acre farm in the Bitterroot Valley in 1990. Russ attended Lone Rock Elementary and Stevensville Junior High and High School, graduating in 2003. Like many Montanans, Russ grew up an avid outdoorsmen, 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 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 on scholarship there as a wide receiver and defensive back for two years, before voluntarily leaving his full ride scholarship to join the War on Terror, enlisting in the U.S. Navy in 2006. Russ served as an Aviation Electrician, graduating top of his class and serving orders to 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 went on to graduate from UNR with honors with a Bachelors of Science degree in Nutrition, pairing it shortly after with a Master Fitness Trainer certificate from ISSA. Russ used that knowledge in service to the nation in the summer of 2012, founding Pedal4Prevention, a non-profit aimed at raising awareness and funds to help prevent childhood obesity, donating over $10,000 to the Alliance for a Healthier Generation. In exchange for pledges, Russ completed a 3500+ mile solo cycling trip from west coast to east coast unsupported, starting in Ocean Shores, WA and ending six weeks later in Gloucester, MA, riding an average distance of over 100 miles a day.
In the fall of 2012, Russ moved to Seattle to continue his studies at Seattle University, where he later earned his Masters in Sports Administration and Leadership (MBA of Sport) while working for Seattle University. He was also selected to complete a Graduate Certificate in Seattle University's renowned Executive Leadership Program (ELP). Classmates in his ELP cohort worked as some of the top executives in the Pacific Northwest from companies like Costco, Expedia, and Boeing. This experience inspired Russ to broaden his professional horizons, joining US Bank in 2015, but not before marrying his long time friend, Dr. Kate Cleveland who he had met while on a Scouting trip to the San Juan Islands in Washington in their teenage years. Together, they and their then three children set roots in Denver, Colorado, and Russ quickly found success within the banking industry being awarded Manager of the Year for the fortune 500 company just a year later.
Building off of that success, Russ Co-Founded a school age child care and enrichment company in Colorado in 2016, known as Rocky Mountain Kids. In just 7 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 for his company, serving the greater Denver area in a multitude of capacities, including being the first to open remote learning centers during the public school COVID shut downs of 2020, and again later by adding early childhood education programs in tandem with Colorado’s emerging Universal Pre-K focus.
The Cleveland family moved back to Montana in 2021 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 along the Clark Fork River, now known to the Saint Regis community as Madison Ranch. Along with building their own home and the retirement homes for both Russ’s parents as well as Kates father John on the property, 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 support staff. Russ coaches football and track at the high school, while his wife 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, where Kate continues her role as National Operations Director for the company, serving the two’s 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 plans for what is next for himself. The actions of President Trump have not only inspired Russ to bring our State together and fight the executive branches over reach of power, but also depolarize both parties and bring bipartisan efforts back to D.C. His 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 grass roots campaign by Montanans, for Montanans.