I disagree with what you have heard about teaching upper division classes. He is one of the most concise teachers, and best at helping out the students in a straightforward manner. I would highly recommend Russell for
ANY classes. He is also the best professor in the ETE department when it comes to helping students outside of class. He is on campus every day, and in his office for more than the bare minimum required office time. I go to him with questions and problems from my other classes, and he is able to better explain the things that McCurdy (for one) had muddied beyond comprehension.
Russell also has extensive experience in the practical application of theory, and in designing circuits for real-world applications. I have gone to him with projects of my own, outside of classwork, and he has been able to get me headed in the right direction, and help me with design problems along the way.
High Recommendation - Any and All Classes He Teaches btw - The ETE 101 class is a joke, no matter who you take it with. It is an uneccesary requirement, because we all come in already knowing all of the computer applications that we need. They either need to convert this to a true technical writing course, or get rid of it, because when the students are freshmen, and bored beyond belief, imagine how the professor feels trying to teach it!