No one could understand him, but everybody liked him, Jordan said. Like Atlanta, he started off with a little shoe shine stand, now his company is a major influence in everything happening in the city. After his father's death in 1957, Russell took over the company and expanded it into a conglomerate that includes general contracting, construction/program management, real estate development and property and asset management. In 2001, he continued his personal investment in the revitalization investment of his companys neighborhood, including construction of The Castleberry Inn (now the Clarion Inn & Suites Atlanta Downtown), Legacy Lofts, Intown Lofts, and Paschals Restaurant. All Rights Reserved by H.J. Andrew Young (@AmbAndrewYoung) November 15, 2014, Today, we lost one of the founding fathers of modern Atl in Mr. H.J. We met Mr. Russell when we interviewed him for our documentary on former City of Atlanta Mayor Ivan Allen, said John Duke. Maria was born in Atlanta to European parents and has two youngadult children. Martin. A multi-faceted organization providing integrated solutions and an exceptional customer experience, Russell has developed, designed/built, renovated, and managed some of the nations most complex, high profile projects involving multiple stakeholders and requiring exceptional diplomacy and skill, including the Mercedes-Benz Stadium with the HHRM JV and the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture with Clark Construction and Smoot Construction. Russell, the youngest of eight children, grew up in the Summerhill neighborhood, in the shadow of the baseball complex he would later help rebuild into the spectacular sports edifice Turner Field, which would become at that time, the envy of Major League Baseball franchises. Lee May (@LeeMay) November 15, 2014. As early as the age of 8, Herman J. Russell was inspired to build and own real estate, and to be his own employer. Hermans spirit permeated the community. During this time, the company reported annual sales estimated at $150 million, with project offices in several cities from Miami, Florida, to New York City. They all, in one way or another, bare the DNA of late, great business impresario Herman J. Russell. H.J. However, I believe the most important part of Mr. Russells legacy is what we dont see in that he built himself up from the bottom to ultimately serve as a role model for so many Atlantans of all races. When Jordan heard Russell was ill a couple of months ago, he called him when he knew he would be alone. Real Times Media. 1938: Starts first business shining shoes. Russell, a lifelong Atlantan who counted among his friends several presidents and the Rev. Friends and family shed tears, share laughter at Herman Russell's After presenting the plan to his boss, Russell told him that he should run the company as the president and COO. His legacy will live on in the projects he built, the family he raised, and the people he touched throughout his life., Ernest Greer, chairman of the Georgia Chamber of Commerce and vice president and Atlanta managing shareholder at law firm Greenberg Traurig, He was one of the Giants of our time. Numerous local leaders expressed their condolences and spoke about his legacy today. Office: (954) 525-1489 Herman J. Russell: 2013 Georgia Trustee I cant express how much we will miss him.. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Delta put us together in a shotgun wedding, Holder said in an interview several years ago. Herman J. Russell, who founded Atlanta-based H. J. Russell & Company in 1952 and Concessions International, LLC, in 1979, is known for helping to build the Atlanta skyline as it's seen today as well as for shaping the airport dining experience for travelers throughout the country and the U. S. Virgin Islands. He remembered that when he was 5 years old, his father couldnt find work. atlanta city council president ceaser mitchell. Your email address will not be published. He was 83 years old. It caused a lot of people to underestimate him. Through working with his father and watching how he ran his plastering business, he felt the urgency and necessity to create jobs during the difficult economic times, and that is when his entrepreneurial spirit was born, which lasted throughout his life until his passing in 2014. And we have cried together.. Rep. Hank Johnson (@RepHankJohnson) November 15, 2014, Herman Russell understood the role of businesspeople in the journey toward social justice. Herman Russ Russell III said his grandfather urged them all to stay focused and be upbeat. Once he asked his elder what made him happy. Hermans spirit permeated the community. PDF Finding Aid to The HistoryMakers Video Oral History with Herman Russell Those who wont be flying in the coming months can also enjoy the film on H. J. Russell & Companys YouTube channel. My father taught me how to love, Jerome said. With this responsibility, Herman gave me two conflicting pieces of advice, Jordan said. Herman Jerome Russell was born to Maggie Googson and Rogers Russell in Atlanta on Dec. 23, 1930. Family, friends and colleagues from former Atlanta Mayor Andrew Young and fellow construction giant Robert Holder to Russells children and grandchildren remembered a leader who had a deft sense of humor, favored a strong work ethic and could pinch a penny until it bled. Russells grandchildren also spoke, remembering the lessons he taught them about hard work and how he demonstrated so much passion in everything he did that he made shredding paper even seem exciting. Several of his grandchildren participated in the service. 1969: Is awarded the contract for the Citizens Trust Bank Building. Building Atlanta: The Story of Herman J. Russell Documentary to be featured by Delta Air Lines Starting in Black History Month As humble as he was, I think he would be thrilled that a movie about his life would air on Delta flights around the world, said Herman J. Russells son, Michael B. Russell, CEO, H. J. Russell & Company. When history was being made in Atlanta, chances were Russell was present. Herman J. Russell was interviewed by The HistoryMakers on March 15, 2002. Russell, chairman/CEO of H. J. Russell & Co., was born on December 23, 1930, in Atlanta, one of seven children of Maggie and Rogers Russell. One person who initially underestimated Russell was Robert Holder, a fellow builder. 2023 The HistoryMakers. By building one of our nations most successful minority-owned companies, his legacy is a shining example for small business owners with big dreams. Jordan, who gave the eulogy at the funeral, said Russell had given him two conflicting directions on how to handle the tribute. Herman J. Russell West End Academy - Home - Facebook Ernie Suggs is an enterprise reporter covering race and culture for the AJC since 1997. Herman J. Russell (1930- ) What started as a $125.00 purchase of a small parcel of land at 15 grew and blossomed over the years into a multi million-dollar company, and with this, Herman Jerome Russell came to epitomize black entrepreneurship by becoming one of the first black millionaires. We waded through all of that. Russell & Company CEO Michael Russell said in a statement. New Atlantas Founding Father, Herman J. Russell, dies. He used his savings to help pay his tuition at Tuskegee University. By the time of his retirement in 1997, Russell had . Andrew Young, former Atlanta mayor and U.N. ambassador, on Saturday called Russell one of the giants of our time. 1968: Is awarded HUD housing contracts in the Southeast and the Equitable Building. His legacy in our region is well established, and while Atlanta has lost a builder, developer and philanthropist, I have lost a dear friend. During this period Russell owned several construction and real estate companies, among them H. J. Russell and Company, H. J. Russell Construction Company, H. J. Russell Plastering Company, Paradise Management Inc., DDR International, and Southeast Land Development Company. (BPRW) 'Building Atlanta: The Story of Herman J. Russell' Documentary The firm has landed several key projects, and the patriarch decided to semi-retire. However, before doing so, H. J. developed the ambitious,mixed-use $300 million development in Castleberry Hill. ATLANTA - As the founder and former CEO of HJ Russell and Company, Herman J. Russell built one of the United States' leading black owned construction, real estate and concessions empires, before his death in 2014. Atlanta has lost a socially conscious native son. Jordan, who the sounding board for presidents and power brokers, said Russell had other talents. Russell partnered with noted white business leaders such as developer John Portman and Aarons founder Charles Loudermilk. Russell & Co., family and friends such as baseball legend Hank Aaron, and political and civic heavyweights, including U.S. Rep. John Lewis and Martin Luther King III. Russell Company headquarters, Photo - Herman Russell during construction of his duplex, 1947, Occupation(s): From founding a beverage distributor company and having a majority share in a company that owned a television station in Macon, Ga., to establishing airport concessionaire Concessions International, LLC to being a part of the Omni Group which purchased two major professional sports franchises, diversification was the focus of the decade. His grandfather caught up with him, gave him a stern look and Russell Jr. knew he was in trouble. Joseph Lowery said he saw Russell during former President Bill Clintons recent visit to Atlanta before the Nov. 4 election, and that Russell said he was not feeling well. His father was a plasterer from whom he learned the trade starting at the age oftwelve. When will I get my Georgia tax rebate for 2023? Rev. There was just no way to go to work at a very early age.. Two years later, Jerome donated one of his kidneys to his brother. Along with his son Michael, Russell leaves to cherish his memory: his wife, Sylvia; another son, Jerome; daughter, Donata, several grandchildren and a host of other relatives and admirers. A few years later, government programs designed to spur residential construction, particularly in the South, provided the opportunities that made H. J. Russell & Company one of the largest builders of HUD affordable housing. History - H.J. Russell & Company Where are todays Muhammad Ali-like athletes? Martin Luther King, Jr. Russell has served also as a board member for civic organizations like the Allen Temple; Butler Street YMCA; Central Atlanta Progress; Tuskegee University; the NAACP Atlanta chapter; Citizens Trust Bank; Midtown Improvement District and the Georgia State University Advisory Board. We are saying good-bye to the physical aspect of a person but I know the person is still alive. Herman Russell known city- , state- and nationwide for his formidable business knowledge and acumen has received many plaudits since his passing on Nov. 15. His father was a plasterer from whom he learned the trade starting at the age of twelve. Go back inside and find something to do, Russell Jr. said his grandfather ordered. He also said there was no entitlement in the Russell household. Herman Jerome Russell (December 23, 1930 November 15, 2014) was an entrepreneur and influential figure in Atlanta, Georgia. He was the real deal, Perry said recalling when he went to work for the company when he was in his mid 20s. 1952: Establishes H.J. When I was 14, I went in front of the Atlanta City Council (known then as the Board of Aldermen) to ask for the rezoning of a lot that the city owned so I could expand my business. He bought his first parcel of land for $125 at age sixteen, later building a duplex on the property. Herman Russell's Biography - The HistoryMakers