Who we are

Edifiers is a consultancy dedicated to helping public education and municipal partners across the USA secure and maximize the resources they need to thrive.

We don't just consult; we champion your mission. Whether we are navigating a $100M bond, optimizing energy usage to save millions, or planning a new campus, our focus remains on people. By bridging the gap between instructional needs and operational reality, we help you secure the resources necessary to build a lasting legacy for your community. Our mission has always been to ensure that every dollar works as hard as the educators and students it supports. 

At Edifiers, we’re bridging the gap between complex business operations and the instructional heart of our schools. 

Let’s build something meaningful together.

Russell Federico standing outside in a cowboy hat in front of greenery

Senior Champion, Consultant, and chaplain

founder: russel federico

While overseeing operations for a 550-square-mile district with 13,000 students and 20 campuses, Russ mastered the art of maximizing public resources. His leadership has directly impacted:

  • Capital Projects: Served as the owner’s representative for major builds and renovations, including Gladden Farms Elementary, Mountain View High School’s College Career and Life Skills Center, the Dan Post Transportation Center, and the Dove Mountain CSTEM K8. All projects were delivered on time and on or under budget.

  • Fiscal Responsibility: Led an energy program that saved over $5.7 million in utility costs during his tenure through solar projects, behavioral changes, and HVAC upgrades, maintaining a flat utility budget despite adding 300,000 square feet of space.

  • Bond Management: Successfully managed a $43 million bond and played a key role in passing and managing a subsequent $125 million bond for district-wide improvements and new construction.

  • Grant Acquisition: Secured multiple EPA DERA Grants to fund a cleaner, modern transportation fleet, including 25 CNG buses.

Russ is a recognized leader in the Arizona educational landscape. He served as the State President of the Arizona Chapter of the Association for Learning Environments (A4LE) and is currently the president of the Kiwanis Club of the Desert.

His projects have earned prestigious accolades, including the Common Ground Awards, RED Awards, Arizona Masonry Award, AIA Awards, and the Learning by Design National Grand Prize Award. Today, Russ utilizes this wisdom and expertise to help municipal and educational partners across the USA secure the resources they need to help their communities thrive.

Russ’s journey in education began in the late 1990’s. After serving in the US Army and founding a successful residential construction business, he was called to become a public educator. His diverse experience includes:

  • Instructional Foundations: Served as a teacher in special education, elementary, and middle school, as well as an instructional coach.

  • Administrative Excellence: Rose through the ranks as a middle school principal and district-level administrator.

  • Operations & Safety: Spent a decade as the Executive Director of Operational Support and Executive Director of Safety, Bond, and Capital Planning for the Marana Unified School District.

Russ Federico on the worksite of of Mountain View high school's new construction project

“My journey started in the US Army and the construction industry, but my heart found its home in public education... Today, I’m applying everything I’ve learned as a teacher, coach, and district leader to serve others through Edifiers.

Whether it’s securing facilities grants, navigating bond cycles, improving school safety, or finding innovative ways to fund a cleaner transportation fleet, I believe our communities deserve experts who can speak both ‘instruction’ and ‘operations’, while prioritizing people.

It is an honor to have served as the State President of A4LE Arizona and a board member of Desert Kiwanis, and I’m excited to bring that same spirit of advocacy to my partners at Edifiers. 

If your district or municipality is looking for a champion to help navigate your next project, big or small, let’s connect!”

-Russ

proven results by the numbers

Over $10 Million

Total Building Renewal Grants secured for our AZ K12 clients since launching Edifiers.

New instructional space added without increasing the utility budget

300,000+ sq. ft.

25+ cng buses

Clean-energy fleet conversion funded by successful EPA DERA Grant awards

$5.7 Million

Total utility costs saved through energy behavioral changes and solar projects

Total Solar Projects completed at schools, lowering utility costs, providing over 8 acres of shade for school usage, conserving resources, and reducing emissions.

4 Megawatts solar

…and counting!!

Core values

Wisdom Through Experience:

From the classroom to the district office, we understand the stakes because we’ve lived them.

Fiscal Stewardship:

We treat every public dollar with the respect it deserves, ensuring maximum impact for students and taxpayers alike.

Collaborative Excellence:

We build bridges between school boards, municipal partners, and the communities they serve.

ensuring that the complex business of education never stands in the way of the heart of education

FAQS

  • Internal teams are often stretched thin by daily operations. We provide the dedicated oversight needed to prevent "change orders," secure competitive grants, and implement energy strategies. For example, our energy initiatives saved over $5.7 million—funding that went back into the classroom rather than utility bills.

  • No project is too small if it impacts student success. Whether you need a simple safety walk-through or a comprehensive long-term capital plan, we scale our services to fit your specific community needs and budget.

  • Russ brings the "Dual Perspective." He has been a special education teacher, a principal, and a district executive. He doesn't just look at blueprints; he looks at how a wall, a window, or a CSTEM lab will actually function for a teacher and a student on a Tuesday morning.

  • While we focus on the technical and capital planning side, we provide the data-driven analysis and educational messaging you need to help your community understand the "why" behind a bond request. We help you turn a "want" into a "need" that voters can support.

  • Every partnership begins with a Strategic Planning Session. We’ll discuss your current challenges—whether it's deferred maintenance, a growing student population, or safety concerns—and determine the most effective roadmap for your district. Fill out the contact form below to get the conversation started!

  • Most of our customers hire us on an hourly rate to serve their needs. We often start with the hourly rate quote not to exceed their procurement limits. We can provide you a district quote or you can hire us through the 1GPA Cooperative. If you are interested, let us know and we can provide our cooperative contract info and share rates for your specific needs. 


Contact Us

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