The ICMA administers the Certified Management Accountant (CMA) and Certified Management (CFM) examinations for the Institute of Management Accountants (IMA). The IMCA Board of Regents has oversight and responsibility for development of the certification examinations, identification of professional expectations of certificate holders, and related Standards of Ethical Conduct.

"I am honored the IMA selected me as chair of the IMCA Board of Regents. Clearly, in today's business and accounting environment where corporate and business scandals are daily news, there are many challenges and opportunities. This involvement will enable me to be at the forefront of discussions on these issues and bring those discussions into the classroom to benefit students and the University," said Dr. Russell. "I am exited at this challenging professional opportunity."

Russell served as the IMA Distinguished Professor-In-Residence during the 1997-1998 and 1998-1999 academic years. In this role, Russell helped launch IMA's many nationwide student and academic initiatives. In particular, he was the driving force for IMA's $150,000 investment and active involvement in the PhD Project. The PhD Project's mission is to recruit and support qualified under-represented minorities - African Americans, Hispanic-Americans and Native Americans - to create diverse business school faculties. Russell's support and involvement with the IMA has spanned over 25 years.

Russell completed his bachelor's and master's degrees in business administration from Auburn University and his doctoral degree from the University of Arkansas. In 1986, he earned the title of certified management accountant (CMA).

Russell is former chair of the Department of Accounting, Finance and Business Law and has served at Southeast Missouri State University for 17 years. During that time, he has received the 1995 and the 2002 Students' Choice Award for Excellence in Teaching in the Harrison College of Business; the 1995 Faculty of the Year Award presented by the Accounting and Finance Club/IMA Student Chapter; the 1997 University Educator of the Year Award by the Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce; and the 2000 Copper Dome Fellowship for Teaching Excellence in the Harrison College of Business.

He has written manufacturing accounting and finance case histories, contributed articles to numerous professional and academic journals, and given many presentations to national professional and academic organizations. He also is active in the business community as a consultant and expert witness.

With 70,000 members, the Institute of Management Accountants is one of the oldest and most respected -and most innovative -finance and accounting organization in the world. IMA offers certificates in management accounting and financial management, continuing professional education, special interest membership groups and professional publications. Founded in 1919, the Institute of Management Accountants is based in Montvale, N.J.

The IMCA examinations recognize the unique qualifications and expertise of those professionals engaged in management accounting and financial management. The certifications provide professionals distinction and afford the opportunity to certify expertise in business areas critical to successful decision-making. There are currently 30,000 CMA and CFM certificate holders world wide.