WHO WE ARE

X Executive Director

COL Russ Cummings is the Executive Director of Army Applications Laboratory and will lead AAL into its eighth year as industry's front door to the Army. COL Cummings believes Soldier feedback and buy-in are vital to ensuring Soldiers receive the best technologies. Delivering capabilities faster is not something COL Cummings is willing to compromise on; Soldiers need solutions now, not in five years.

COL Cummings is a field artillery officer with over two decades of operational experience. His career encompasses tactical command, joint staff operations, and force modernization. Commissioned in 2002 from Louisiana State University, his background includes three deployments during Operation Iraqi Freedom. He has also served in key staff and leadership roles within NATO Allied Land Command and Special Operations Command Africa.

His time at the Joint Readiness Training Center (JRTC) provided him insight into tactical systems validation and understanding how new technologies can succeed or fail in realistic training environments. As a U.S. Senate Defense Fellow and graduate student at George Washington University, COL Cummings advocated for legislation benefitting veterans, service members, and their families. Most recently, as a Scowcroft Fellow at Texas A&M University, he analyzed foreign policy and studied global grand strategy. COL Cummings' research, education, and experience make him the right choice to lead AAL as an Army connector to industry.

X Deputy Director

As Deputy Director, Zach Harrell turns the Executive Director's strategic vision into coordinated action across the lab, aligning cross-functional teams around shared priorities to deliver innovative technologies to Soldiers faster. Day-to-day, Zach drives execution across Operations, Solutions and Innovation, Insights and Analysis, and the Communications team, ensuring their collective efforts remain focused on AAL’s mission. Zach clarifies objectives and sets strategies for projects, addressing barriers, and allocating AAL’s budget to support the lab's goals.

Zach began his career on AAL's Tech team, evaluating industry companies, technologies, and proposals to ensure the Army selects the best companies. Most recently, Zach served as the Director of Insight and Analysis, where he directed a multidisciplinary team of scientists, engineers, and analysts. Zach holds a Bachelor's Degree in Physics from St. Mary's University, and a Master's and PhD in Materials Physics from the University of Texas at San Antonio.

Away from the office, Zach enjoys cooking and playing soccer with his wife and two daughters. He is always finding something new to learn, most recently taking up progressive metal drumming.

X Director of Operations

Paul currently serves as the Director of Operations at Army Applications Laboratory. His mission is to keep AAL on target by developing and implementing strategies that increase the efficiency of daily operations, ensuring compliance with Army and T2COM policies and regulations. His team is also responsible for hiring functions, updating personnel actions, and upholding quality control.

Paul is a retired Army Field Artillery officer with 23 years of service in tactical and strategic assignments, including six years with NATO units. After retiring, he remained in Germany, where he worked as a contractor before entering Army Civilian Service with U.S. Army Europe and later at Installation Management Command–Europe.

Paul is a graduate of Command and General Staff College and the Joint and Combined Warfighting School. He earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science from the University of Minnesota &emdash; Duluth and carries the Advanced National Diploma from United Soccer Coaches (formerly the National Soccer Coaches Association of America).

Paul met his wife Wendy in 1989 at a Bruce Springsteen concert in Berlin. They have two grown children and a granddaughter who keeps them very active! Paul & Wendy are also avid supporters of Liverpool Football Club.

X Director of Solutions Innovation

As Army Applications Laboratory's Director of Solutions Innovation, Tom leads a team of program managers and contract specialists in expanding the Army’s access to new innovative solutions. His team aligns commercial capabilities with military needs and applies innovative contract methods to streamline the procurement process.

Tom and his team collaborate closely with commercial problem solvers, acquisition authorities, government stakeholders, and subject matter experts to rapidly develop, iterate, and transition technologies to Soldiers. By providing companies with direct access to end-user feedback and guidance throughout the development cycle, his team helps ensure technologies address Army needs, overcome implementation barriers, and reach Soldiers faster.

Tom brings 20 years of Army experience to AAL, including 13 years in Army Special Forces. He also spent 10 years in the defense contracting industry in direct support of special operations missions and training. Outside of work, Tom enjoys spending time with his wife and grandchildren, barbecuing at home, and traveling to new dive destinations. His passion for scuba diving also led him to become a certified open water scuba instructor.