Cottages Group

The Cottages Group, Inc. is owned and managed by the following principals: Ken Russell, CEO is an attorney licensed to practice law in Virginia (1998), Tennessee (1997) and Georgia (1983). Before beginning work in private industry, Mr. Russell was a partner in the Atlanta based Troutman Sanders law firm. He was a practice group leader in the firms... tax department. He has served as General Counsel worldwide and as the President of the US Operating company of an international toy company and General Counsel and VP of Corporate Affairs for a top 25 U.S. energy company. He completed tenure as the 2008 Treasurer and Chairman of the Finance Committee of the Barter Theater, The State Theater of Virginia. Bud Smith, Executive V.P. is a licensed commercial and residential real estate affiliate broker and investment property manager. He has been building EPCON Communities® for 3 years. He has had a 28-year career in marketing and management in the consumer goods industry as Director, Asset Recovery of a $240M business unit of Levi Strauss & Co. Mr. Smith is actively involved within the local Chamber of Commerce, Rotary, Ruritan, and United Way. He is currently the Chairman of the Deacons in his church. Doug Murray, CFO is a Certified Commercial Investment Member, CCIM, with 10 years in commercial real-estate disciplines and investments. He has been building EPCON Communities® for over three years. Prior to his involvement with The Cottages Group, Mr. Murray spent 22 years in finance and banking. He culminated his banking career with Charter Federal Saving Bank, Bristol, VA. As SVP of Charter Federal Savings Bank, he was responsible for retail banking, marketing, training and product development for the Southwest Virginia and Northeast Tennessee branches. Keith Foster, Partner is a licensed commercial and residential real estate broker/developer. He has been building EPCON Communities® for over one year. Mr. Foster has had a 26-year career in industrial and electrical engineering management and received his Advanced ...Read More