http://www.nysun.com/new-york/barneys-bravado-gives-the-feds-fits/53741/
In that article it gives a bit of background on Bellomo. Says that his father was a Genovese soldier who was close to Salerno and asked Salerno to look out for him. Bellomo was put in Sammy Black's crew. So I'd guess being around the top people helped him get to where he is and learn how to do things so well.

I don't know much about Andy Russo but I'm sure I've read he has been a capo since the 70s and was related by marriage to Persico.