Herman J. Russell

Herman Jerome Russell (December 23, 1930 – November 15, 2014) was an African American businessman who founded a company that became the largest minority business enterprise real estate company in the United States. Russell was a confidante of 1960s civil rights leader Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. He became the first black member of the Atlanta Chamber of Commerce. His portfolio expanded to include a diversified list of profitable real estate, construction and food service companies that included H.J. Russell and Company, H.J. Russell Plastering Company, Paradise Management, Inc, DDR International, Concessions International and the Southeast Land Development Company.

Early life Russell was born on December 23, 1930, in the Summerhill district of Atlanta, GA during the era of strict racial segregation. He had a paper route by age eight and learned plastering construction skills from his father Rogers Russell, a master plasterer. Russell was known for being thrifty, a trait his father taught him. Rogers’ advice was to save a portion of every amount of money earned, no matter how small. Russell said he heeded the advice in all of his enterprises. In Atlanta, he first worked with his father in plastering. Then, he set his sights on something bigger by building 12 residential units on South Avenue in Atlanta. His company established a good reputation and Herman used word-of-mouth references to find partners that allowed him to include commercial projects among his portfolio of residential work. He officially founded H.J. Russell & Associates in 1953 and incorporated it in 1957. built for the Atlanta Braves baseball team. H. J. Russell & Company added fireproofing to its services and in 1968 was hired to plaster and fireproof the Equitable Building in downtown Atlanta. His receipt of the Equitable Building bid was the largest contract of its kind ever awarded to a black-owned firm. In 1969, he received another prestigious contract to construct Citizens Trust Bank.

Herman’s next accomplishment took place when he became a subcontractor with Holder Construction to build Colony Square in Atlanta, H.J. Russell & Company was the general contractor. Herman oversaw every aspect of the 20-story tower, which was completed in 1987. Russell’s company also continued to build residential properties. That division also experienced significant growth in the 1980s.

The 1996 Summer Olympics allowed H. J. Russell & Associates to grow even larger. Russell received contracts, and worked with partners, to build an Olympic stadium and other facilities. The stadium was built in the Summerhill neighborhood where he grew up. The groundbreaking for the project took place in 1993.

Russell is credited with making significant contributions to Atlanta’s modern skyline. His company also continued doing sub-contractor work on large, high-profile projects. Some of the most notable buildings and complexes that were completed under his leadership are, (in alphabetical order):

191 Peachtree

HJ Russell & Company was the material supplier (supervisory contractor of all construction work). Completed in 1992.

Atlanta City Hall

H.J. Russell & Company was a partner in building the Atlanta City Hall Complex. The company was the Construction Manager (CM) for the $2 million project that upgraded Assembly Hall, the Commissioner’s Chamber and surrounding areas. At the time, it was the second tallest structure in Atlanta.

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport

H.J. Russell was one of the companies contracted to build the Hartsfield Atlanta International Airport's main terminal complex. It moved the company into elite status as a builder of transportation facilities. He founded H. J. Russell & Company, the largest minority-owned real estate and construction business in the United States. Russell was inducted into the International Civil Rights Walk of Fame in 2008.

Death Herman J. Russell died on November 15, 2014, at the age of 83, in Atlanta Georgia and was buried at South-View Cemetery.