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.
Andrew Russo is the cousin of carmine persico, this is the reason why the snake wanted him and was acting underboss in the 70s,so when the snake will die and allie boy will be the boss, Andy russo or anybody with blood ties with persicos will be the new acting boss.
Steven Crea was always a good earner and a smart guy: Casso wanted him as acting boss and in the 80s to the early 2000s ruled the Lucchese costrution group who extort the builders all over new york and made an alliance with the the Gambinos for extort more money.
