Russ Porteous
About Russ Porteous
Russ Porteous if the CEO and one of the founders of Maintenance Essentials. He has over 20 years experience in the maintenance of fire and essential safety measures. Russ is a contributor to a variety of Australian Standards including AS1851 for the Maintenance of Fire Protection Systems and Equipment. Russ is regularly invited to speak at industry conferences as a subject matter expert and is also a popular blogger and author.
Always searching for something to do or achieve, Russell Porteous established Maintenance Essentials with Rod Buncle in July 2001. Since then Maintenance Essentials has evolved to be a niché fire protection maintenance company.
The seed for being a business owner was planted early in Russell's life as both his mother and father were independent business owners. Russell's first business was to mow grass for home owners at the beach side town of Sandy Point. Russell recognised that as a holiday retreat, home owners did not want to spend their weekends cutting grass. From that point he established a lawn mowing round that enabled him to buy his first computer at the age of 15 (1985).
Showing an early aptitude for computers became (and continues to be) a passion for Russell and has been formative in his career.
In January 1988, Russell began his career in the fire protection industry as a cadet with Wormald, where over the next 5 years he studied at engineering at Swinburne, computer aided design (CAD) at RMIT and communications at the Australian Institute of Management. During this time Russell also completed a trade as an Licensed Electrical Mechanic (LEM).
At the age of 20, Russell was elected to the board of the world's largest computer users group, where he assisted in establishing regional special interest groups across Victoria. During this time, the internet was in its early stages and Russell saw and took advantage of the improved communications and knowledge management facilitated by the "world wide web".
During this time, Russell was exposed to the wide variety of fire protection disciplines including fire detection, emergency warning, fire sprinklers, gaseous fire suppression and fire equipment. The foundations and broad exposure while working at Wormald enabled Russell to take on important customer management responsibilities including; Coles-Myer, Telstra, Woolworths, ANZ and Westpac.
In 1998 Russell was asked to establish the Tyco National Service Centre (now called gateway) the first truly national single point of contact for customers in the fire protection industry. Over the next 2 years, The National Service Centre grew to be coordinating the fire safety, air-conditioning and electrical needs of over 20,000 properties across Australia.
After almost 14 years with one employer, Russell took 6 months leave and began the soul search that today is Maintenance Essentials. Leveraging off his experience, computer skills and mentors, Russell continues to enjoy working and contributing to the fire protection industry.
Russell regularly writes articles, white papers about issues concerning the fire protection industry. In addition Russell regularly speaks at business seminars on the subjects of;
- Business Process & Systemisation;
- Information Technology;
- Customer Service;
- Maintenance Management; and
- Marketing & Sales.
Today Russell is a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and an Alumni of The Executive Connection, a member of the NFPA and Chairperson of the FPAA Special Interest Group for Maintenance Russell continues to develop his business skills, working with industry peers along with ongoing study.
Russell's loves to read business books and listen to educational materials (podcasts), maintaining his interest in all things technology.
