Nick Russo is the chief executive of Bellevue Orchards in Officer.
Tell us a fun fact about yourself!
When I was at uni, in one of our lectures I was dared to move to Austria, and I did.
What are you most passionate about?
In my professional life I am really passionate about teams, systemisation and creative solutions to what might be considered boring problems.
Did you always want to work in agriculture?
No, I actually originally wanted to work in stop frame animation and, back in the 90’s, studied illustration, photography, printmaking and multimedia.
What do you love about apples?
Their diversity of uses.
What would your last meal be?
I have spent quite a bit of time in Colorado over the years and a friend of mine there, Mike, makes an amazing brisket.
What was your most memorable moment?
I am going to go with a cliche here and say the arrival of each of our kids.
What was your favourite subject in school?
Graphic Design.
What event past or present would you like to witness?
Tough one, but off the top of my head I am going to say the 1990 Midnight Oil gig in New York.
Which six dinner guests, dead or alive, would you invite to dinner?
Ok, here is a list, but I don’t think I would like them to all come to the same dinner party, but I would like to meet all these people; John Safran, Merlin Mann, John Siracusa, Celia Pacquola, Ricky Gervaise and Robert McKee.
What are you currently listening to/watching or reading?
I have just finished watching The White Lotus and am enjoying the second season of Ted Lasso and am currently reading 12 Rules For Life.
If you had to compete on MasterChef, what dish would you cook?
I am not much of a chef, but I have to say wood fired pizza. We have a wood oven at home and we love to break it out.
Where is your dream holiday destination?
That’s a hard one, as my wife likes the beach and I like bush camping… so somewhere we can do both. But to be honest, right now, I would take whatever we can get.
What were you like as a kid?
Inquisitive.
What is your favourite colour and why?
Red. It comes from a tongue in cheek saying I heard in design school, “If you can’t make it good, make it big. And if you can’t make it big, make it red.“
Do you consider yourself an extrovert or an introvert?
Not sure, I think it definitely depends on the situation. I like meeting new people and talking with people, but I am also very much a home body.
