Russell J. (Rus) Peotter is retired from a 42-year career in public media. He served as Vice President of the WGBH Educational Foundation and General Manager for WGBY, Springfield; Public Television for Western New England since 2001. Previously, he was Vice President for marketing and development at Maine Public Broadcasting (MPB). At MPB, he also served as production and promotion manager for almost fifteen years, during which he received a New England Emmy and the Elmo Award from Sesame Workshop. He was named PBS Communications Professional of the Year in 1999 and PBS Development Professional of the Year in 2003.

Rus is a corporator or board member of many regional organizations including: PeoplesBank, Double Edge Theatre, The Springfield Central Cultural District, The Hilltown Land Trust, Greater Northampton Chamber of Commerce, The Trustees, MASSCreative, the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission Plan for Progress and Leadership Pioneer Valley. He is Chesterfield town moderator and chairs the Mass Moderators Association Communication Committee.

Rus resides in Chesterfield, Massachusetts with his spouse Jennifer as well as a Vizsla and German Shorthaired Pointer, several Kinder goats and horses, many chickens, and much cranky farm equipment including an 81-year-old Ford 9N tractor. His interests include agriculture, civic affairs, conservation, music, the performing and visual arts, as well as food, wine, and the outdoors.