Russell G. Colbert, Jr. | BIOGRAPHY

Russ Colbert joined Polycom, Inc. in April 2001 as the Global Education Market Manager.  At Polycom his responsibilities are to ensure complete customer and partner success, product development related to the education segment and to facilitate industry utilization of educational technology. 

Prior to joining the company, Russ was the Director of Global Markets with VTEL Corporation.  During his five years in this capacity, he was directly responsible and active in large-scale education implementations in all 50 United States and 43 countries around the World.  As an Education Specialist he had the unique ability to train teachers, transition courses of instruction, design classrooms, develop several turnkey classroom packages with software, instructional tools, hardware and processes. 

Russ became a member of the VTEL team in November 1995 when the videoconferencing division of Peirce-Phelps, Inc. was acquired.  Peirce-Phelps was the World’s largest Integrator of videoconferencing and interactive Distance Education.  As the Distance Education Manager, Russ’ responsibilities were broad and included:  application customer training,  sales training, account management, project management, room design and engineering, course transitions, curriculum development and complete customer support and service.  Custom education applications were his focus.  Some of his major customers included: the Community of Agile Partners in Education (CAPE) 140+ locations, University of Notre Dame, Johnson & Johnson, State University of New York (SUNY), the University of Wisconsin and General Accident Insurance Company. From November 1995 until May 1997, Russ was the  Senior Consultant for custom integration of technology for the Education and Government sectors.

Prior to joining Peirce-Phelps, Inc. in March 1994, Russ was the United States Navy’s Videoteletraining Officer.  He established, managed and operated their nationwide and international multipoint training and conferencing network.  He directly supervised the expansion and operation of this network from five locations to twenty-two locations, including ships-at-sea.  Russ successfully designed the first Shore-to-Ship connectivity and course of instruction.  He assisted in the start-up of the US Army Teletraining Network (TNET) which has now grown to 200+ locations.  He assisted many government agencies, universities and corporations in establishing a video network and operations.

Holding a B.S. degree from Auburn University and a M.S. degree from Old Dominion University (focused in Distance Education), Russ serves on the Board of Directors, United States Distance Learning Association (USDLA) and is an active member of Learning Technology User Group Australia, JeLA Japan,  UKDLA United Kingdom and EDEN European Distance and e-Learning Network.  He has served as Chairperson  International Teleconferencing Association Tradeshow and Exhibit, ITCA.  Additionally, he is a preferred speaker and author in the distance education community.  Recent major accomplishments include:

  • Keynote Speaker Communications Tokyo,  (H.323) Japan Department of Education Conference and   Speaker Telecommunication Advancement Organization Japan
  • Keynote Speaker On Line Educa Berlin, Germany
  • Keynote Speaker,  State of Illinois, New York and South Dakota technology conferences included with the Governor of South Dakota
  • Global Learning Conference,  Keynote Speaker, Copenhagen, Denmark
  • Keynote Speaker, ICDE Global Education Conference,  Vienna, Austria
  • Many University, Corporate and Government presentations  including Ministry of Post/ Telecommunications (MPT) Peoples Republic of China and Japan Department of Education 
  • Keynote Speaker, India Distance Education Conference for Minister of Education, New Delhi, India
  • Keynote Speaker, Israel Highway One Conference, Tel Hai, Israel
  • Keynote Speaker, ADEC Alliance for Distance Education California
  • Keynote Speaker with CEO, TechEd, CA
  • Keynote Speaker, HETS/HACU Conference, Washington, DC
  • Keynote Speaker, Universidad Virtual del Tec de Monterrey, Mexico
  • National Education Computer Conference (NECC), Atlanta, GA, Chicago, IL, Seattle, WA and New Orleans, LA, Philadelphia, PA
  • Keynote Speaker, Australasian Computers in Education Conference, Melbourne, Victoria
  • Keynote Speaker, Web Based Education Commission, National Education Association
  • Ed Tech Keynote, State of Indiana
  • Keynote Speaker, Florida Distance Learning Association (FDLA)
  • Keynote Speaker, Ohio SchoolNet Conference
  • Keynote Speaker, Internet2 Fall Conference
  • Technology conference Keynote, Auburn University

Publications produced:

  • Planning the Smart Classroom of the Future…..TODAY,  a practical primer for designing interactive learning environments
  • E-Rate Guides located at www.polycom.com/education
  • Content/Knowledge Providers List located at www.polycom.com/education
  • “Best Practices in Live Content Acquisition for Distance Learning”
  • Various Whitepapers and research (reference to research, applications, Internet2 and cultural exchanges) located at: www.polycom.com/education

Recent Classroom Packages/Products Produced:

  •  Polycom Primary, Secondary, Small, and Large ClassStationsÔ
  • InstructorTM RP
  • Polycom PowerCam PresenterTM
  • Polycom Ceiling Microphone Array

Recent Educational Programs Created:

  • Honors Education Program
  • Content Access Program
  • Tuition Reduction Program
  • Back-to-school Blowout Program