Meet Russ Petersen! Russ is a longtime Gainesville resident and lawyer who is originally from Kansas City. He is married to Shelby and the couple has two sons.
Russ said if he could travel anywhere in the world right now it would be to Buochs, Switzerland where he and his wife were married.
“My wife, Shelby, and I are celebrating our 25th wedding anniversary in September, and that’s where we tied the knot. It’s an incredibly beautiful town on Lake Lucerne, surrounded by the Alps,” he said.
We want to thank Russ for recently taking some time with us to tell us more about his life and love of Hall County.
Question: What inspired you or led you to your current career?
Answer: “When I was a sophomore in high school in Kansas City, my speech teacher suggested that I join the debate team. We did quite well in competitions, and a lot of people told me that I should become a lawyer one day. Before that, I had hoped to study optometry, of all things.”
Q: How long have you lived or worked in Hall County?
A: “I first moved and started work to Hall County in 1989, in Flowery Branch.”
Q: Who is the most interesting person you’ve met in Hall County and why?
A: “That’s not an easy question to answer. I’ve met thousands upon thousands of people over the years, all ages, from all walks of life, all of whom come to my table to buy or sell a home, each one with a different story to tell.”
Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would it be and why?
A: “I’d travel directly to Buochs, Switzerland. My wife, Shelby, and I are celebrating our 25th wedding anniversary in September, and that’s where we tied the knot. It’s an incredibly beautiful town on Lake Lucerne, surrounded by the Alps.”
Q: What is the first movie you remember seeing in a theater?
A: “Okay, just thinking about it made me laugh out loud: ‘HR Pufnstuf, the Movie.’Â Must have been around 1970.”
Q: What is your favorite restaurant in Hall County, and what do you love there?
A: “My new favorite getaway on a Friday night is Amici on Atlanta Highway. Their gourmet pizzas are delicious and a real departure from other pizza shacks, and they have local craft beers on tap to seal the deal.”
Q: What advice would you give a crowd of people?
A: “Never be afraid to say what’s on your mind, never be afraid to do what’s on your mind, and never take advice from a total stranger in a crowd.”
Q: What is something on your bucket list?
A: “Ever since I was young, I’ve had a fascination with the Great Pyramid. I hope I can safely visit Giza one day to see it and the Sphinx with my own eyes.”Â
Q: What three words mean “Home” to you?
A: “Entering Hall County.”
