Nov 08 60 Years After its Incorporation, H. J. Russell & Company Launched its “We Build” Campaign to Elevate ‘The Russell Way’ of Doing Business
This November marks five years since the passing of H. J. Russell & Company’s founder, Herman J. Russell, Sr., and this year marks the 60th anniversary of H. J. Russell & Company’s incorporation. As one of the largest and oldest African-American and privately-held construction firms in the country, it has been responsible for building some of the most iconic buildings that define the Atlanta skyline. To mark the significance of both occasions, two of Atlanta’s most notable structures were lit green, one representing the past (191 Peachtree Tower), and one representing the future (Mercedes-Benz Stadium).
During a day of celebration, including the launch of the “We Build” campaign at a VIP luncheon at Paschal’s Restaurant within the Russell Hospitality campus, and a bus tour around the city to discuss the iconic landmark structures Russell helped build, including the a behind-the-scenes tour of the Emory Sports Medicine Complex and Hawks Practice Facility, the Russell family also hosted influencers and supporters at an evening “We Build” reception at the future home of the Russell Center for Innovation & Entrepreneurship, a lasting legacy to the economic power of entrepreneurism. Watch the launch video here.
Russell recently announced the groundbreaking of the Stockbridge Amphitheater, the first-ever amphitheater in Henry County, and many City of Stockbridge officials came, including Mayor Anthony Ford, to learn even more about the history of the company that will be building their iconic structure.
“As we reflected on how we pressed through the significant economic downturn that started in 2008, we wanted to pause and pay tribute to our founder, a construction pioneer who always saw the possibilities,” said Lonoia Brooks, marketing director, Russell. “Sixty years in business is amazing, and while looking back, we are also celebrating the legacy that the fresh Russell team is carrying forward, helping to not just build structures, but to help build vibrant communities and spaces that make the cities in which we build and operate thrive.”
Herman J. Russell’s legacy and dreams continue along with the new ones of his children, Michael B. Russell, CEO, and H. Jerome Russell, Jr., president, who provide day-to-day leadership of H. J. Russell & Company. Their sister, Donata Russell Ross, serves on Russell’s board of directors while also serving as the CEO of Concessions International, LLC, a sister company their father started in 1979 that provides airport concessions in eight airports in the United States and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
“We’ve had the fortune of building off the legacy of two incredible men of their day, our father and our grandfather, coupled with all the support from our mother,” said Michael B. Russell, CEO, Russell. “Since I took the helm in 2003, we’ve had our ups and downs, but what remains true is our steadfast commitment to improving the working, living and playing quality of life for Atlantans and wherever we do business, and doing so with integrity and excellence. Some of our most recent complex projects we’ve worked on with joint venture partners including the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, City of Atlanta Water Supply Program and Mercedes-Benz Stadium, not only make us proud, but lets the industry know that this privately owned firm has all the talent it takes to tackle just about any project on the table.”Russell recently announced the groundbreaking of the Stockbridge Amphitheater, the first-ever amphitheater in Henry County, along with the development of the King Memorial Transit-Oriented Development in conjunction with MARTA and is renovating 23 Fulton-County Library System libraries.
