Russell A. Kavalhuna
Detroit Regional Chamber > Russell A. Kavalhuna

Russell A. Kavalhuna

President, Henry Ford College

Russell A. Kavalhuna, joined Henry Ford College as president in July 2018. His core focus at Henry Ford College is student success and supporting every student along their path to a successful professional and personal life.

Before becoming president at Henry Ford College, Kavalhuna was the executive director of Flight Operations at the Western Michigan University (WMU) College of Aviation. Prior to his position at WMU, Kavalhuna was a federal prosecutor and a commercial airline captain.

Kavalhuna served as a federal prosecutor for the U.S. Department of Justice in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He was a senior lawyer for the Michigan Supreme Court, and he has taught at WMU Cooley Law School. As a pilot, he served as first officer and captain for U.S. Airways Express for five years. He also held a leadership position in the Airline Pilots Association collective bargaining unit.

Kavalhuna earned his undergraduate degree in aviation science from WMU. He earned his juris doctor from WMU Cooley Law School. His awards and honors include the Airline Transport Pilot Certificate; the ATF National Honor Award for Prosecution of Organized Crime; the Outstanding Achievement Award from the Holland Police Department; and being named as an “Up and Coming Lawyer” by Michigan Lawyers Weekly.

President Kavalhuna, his wife, and their children are proud residents of Dearborn.