Russell Burns
Franchise Partner
Division: Hospitality
Location: South Carolina & Georgia
Russell Burns is a seasoned hospitality executive and talent solutions leader with over 25 years of hands-on operational experience across the full spectrum of the hospitality industry. As the Founder and President of HD21 Services LLC, Russell channels decades of multi-unit leadership into a mission-driven recruiting firm that connects exceptional hospitality professionals with the organizations that need them most.
Two parties. One mission. Connecting the right people, every time.
Russell’s career has spanned restaurants, franchise partnerships, and multi-unit management, giving him a uniquely well-rounded perspective on what it takes to hire, develop, and retain top hospitality talent. His experience as an Owner/Franchise Partner with Gecko Hospitality — covering Executive Hospitality territories in Georgia and South Carolina — further sharpened his recruiting acumen and his understanding of what clients truly need from a talent partner — so hiring decisions are faster, smarter, and built to last.
A Purdue University graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Organizational Leadership, Russell is also a Certified Advanced Leadership and Life Coach (Light University, 2012–present). This coaching certification is woven directly into the HD21 model — Russell believes the best recruiters don’t just place people; they invest in their long-term success.
Russell is equally committed to his community. He has organized fundraising events, coordinated food drives, and developed the No Hunger Summer program — an initiative designed to bridge the nutrition gap for students on free lunch programs during summer months.
Mr. Burns has been married to his wife Amanda for 30 years and has 4 children and 1 Grandchild and feels truly blessed.
Russell Burns
Franchise Partner
Division: Hospitality
Location: South Carolina & Georgia
Russell Burns is a seasoned hospitality executive and talent solutions leader with over 25 years of hands-on operational experience across the full spectrum of the hospitality industry. As the Founder and President of HD21 Services LLC, Russell channels decades of multi-unit leadership into a mission-driven recruiting firm that connects exceptional hospitality professionals with the organizations that need them most.
Two parties. One mission. Connecting the right people, every time.
Russell’s career has spanned restaurants, franchise partnerships, and multi-unit management, giving him a uniquely well-rounded perspective on what it takes to hire, develop, and retain top hospitality talent. His experience as an Owner/Franchise Partner with Gecko Hospitality — covering Executive Hospitality territories in Georgia and South Carolina — further sharpened his recruiting acumen and his understanding of what clients truly need from a talent partner — so hiring decisions are faster, smarter, and built to last.
A Purdue University graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Organizational Leadership, Russell is also a Certified Advanced Leadership and Life Coach (Light University, 2012–present). This coaching certification is woven directly into the HD21 model — Russell believes the best recruiters don’t just place people; they invest in their long-term success.
Russell is equally committed to his community. He has organized fundraising events, coordinated food drives, and developed the No Hunger Summer program — an initiative designed to bridge the nutrition gap for students on free lunch programs during summer months.
Mr. Burns has been married to his wife Amanda for 30 years and has 4 children and 1 Grandchild and feels truly blessed.