Joey Russo was elected in November of 2022 to represent Greenville County Council District 17, the largest district in the County, which includes Travelers Rest, Slater-Marietta, Cleveland, River Falls, Tigerville, Gowensville and Landrum. He currently serves as Vice-Chairman of the Public Safety Committee, and serves on the Roads, Infrastructure, and Public Works Committee, and the new Communications Committee. He also serves on the Policy Coordinating Committee for the Greenville-Pickens Area Transportation Study. Joey holds the distinction of being the first Greenville County Councilman born in the 1990’s.
Joey was born and raised in northern Greenville County and graduated from Greer High School. He attended The Citadel, Military College of South Carolina. After graduation in 2015 he accepted a position at the Greenville County Sheriff’s Office and worked as a Uniform Patrol Deputy. Joey chose to step away from law enforcement to help his family’s business, Greenville Industrial Rubber and Gasket, stay in family ownership. His family’s business, founded in 1975, serves manufacturers all over South Carolina and the southeastern US with gaskets, hoses, and other items to ensure critical industries run efficiently.
While this is his first stint in elected office, Joey has been trained through the leadership crucibles at The Citadel, confronting life-threatening situations as a Uniform Patrol Deputy, and learning to be a creative problem solver running a small business. All before the age of 30. Servant leadership, extreme ownership, humility, and transparent communication are values that he brings as the representative of District 17 on Council.
Joey currently resides in Travelers Rest with his wife and two children. Their family are active members at Praise Cathedral in Greer, and volunteer in the children’s ministry.
