NEW YORK -- Maybe it doesn't pay to be a project manager on "The Apprentice."

Chris Russo, 31, is the latest to be fired by Donald Trump on the business-themed NBC reality show. On Thursday's episode, Russo led the Apex team to a big loss during a bridal store task. Apex made a profit of $1,060.47 selling wedding gowns and accessories while the Mosaic team banked $12,788.94.

"I can't believe you led the team so badly," Trump told Russo before firing him.

The stockbroker from Long Island followed in the footsteps (out of Trump Tower and into a waiting taxi) of Jennifer Crisafulli, Pamela Day, John Willenborg, Elizabeth Jarosz and Raj Bhakta, who stepped up to lead and were then booted. That's six project managers out of the 10 fired candidates so far this season.

During the second season of "The Apprentice," most project managers have been selected at random by team members. However, Russo was picked by Trump to lead Apex after Russo told the real-estate mogul during the previous week's boardroom scene that his team didn't gel.

"My big mouth was a ploy to become the project manager," he said. "Obviously, if I knew it was a wedding task, I would've kept my mouth closed."

Russo chalks up his unmotivated leadership to illness.

"That's not an excuse," he said. "That's just the reality."

Russo is feeling much better now. He's gained an apprentice of his own. Russo and his wife had their first child nine weeks ago.