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H.J. Russell Family Receives Council for Quality Growth’s 35th Annual Four Pillar Award

On October 10, 2024, the Council for Quality Growth held its 35th annual Four Pillar Tribute in honor of Herman J. Russell Sr. and his living legacy through Donata Russell Ross, H. Jerome Russell, and Michael Russell Sr. for the family’s commitment to quality and their lasting contributions to metro Atlanta, Georgia, and far beyond. Their chosen theme for the evening was Pure Grit. Built to Last., inspired by the family patriarch’s humble beginnings and success against all odds. The 2024 Four Pillar Tribute was presented by the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation, Delta Air Lines, Georgia Power, and Norfolk Southern. Donata, Jerome, and Michael received the Four Pillar Award among friends, family, and 1,500 other guests in the Georgia Ballroom of the Georgia World Congress Center.

Sally Riker, 2024 Chair of the Council for Quality Growth and Vice President Strategy + Growth at Atlas, presented Jerome and Michael Russell with the Four Pillar Award. “Just like their father, the Russell Family today continues to take their successes and turn them into opportunities for others,” said Sally Riker, 2024 Chair of the Council for Quality Growth. “We are proud to bring Atlanta together tonight to celebrate this family that keeps building our city up for this generation, and for the next.”

[From left to right: Sally Riker, T. Dallas Smith, Keith Mason, Michael Russell, Jerome Russell,
Jay Bailey, Mori Russell, Benjamin Russell, Zane Major, and Michael Paris]

In their acceptance, Michael and Jerome told the Herman Russell story from their own perspective, as they watched their father exceed all expectations. “H.J.’s reputation in Atlanta’s business community was a quality builder and valuable partner,” said Jerome. “Our father’s track record for quality work preceded his race.” 

They described the Council’s ‘Four Pillars’ as “part of H.J.’s DNA,” which built a life a determination for his children, and their children, the 3rd Generation or G3. “If Vision, Quality, and Responsibility were the foundation and pillars of H. J.’s life and legacy, then Integrity was the roof that covered it,” said Michael Russell.

From their father, Donata, Jerome, and Michael learned the importance of hard work, the value of a dollar, and the importance of showing up. Through these lessons and many more, the Russell Family successfully own and operate one of the largest Black business enterprises in the U.S., including H.J. Russell & Company, Russell New Urban Development, Concessions International, and the Russell Innovation Center for Entrepreneurs (RICE), by which they pay it forward to other aspiring business leaders. “Our platform of generational Black family businesses of 73 years is the legacy we use to inspire other entrepreneurs,” said Jerome. 

Michael E. Paris, President & CEO of the Council for Quality Growth, added, “This night reminds us just how far Herman Russell’s legacy reaches. His entrepreneurial spirit held build this city, his leadership was inspiring to those around him, and his legacy continues to be part of the success our region celebrates today.”

The Four Pillar Tribute recognizes leadership and how the recipients display the ‘Four Pillars’ of leadership – Quality, Responsibility, Vision, and Integrity – through their work and in their everyday lives. A distinguished group of speakers paid tribute to the Russell Family. On Quality, Ernest Greer, Co-President of Greenberg Traurig, reflected on his own memories of being inspired by Herman Russell from a young age, later working with him, and how quality was always a central theme in his life. “Quality wasn’t a goal for Mr. Russell,” said Greer, “but a deep-seated expectation.”

On Responsibility, Jay Bailey, President & CEO of the Russell Innovation Center for Entrepreneurs (RICE), recalled the many responsibilities that Herman Russell Sr. took on through his life. These included the responsibility to fix what needed fixing, to put his earnings to a higher cause, to create pathways for others to prosperity, and to show his children and grandchildren how to take these responsibilities as their own. Bailey highlighted the successes of RICE that have resulted, including the creation of 2,500 jobs and $600 million in economic value to Atlanta. “Herman J. Russell Sr. was directly responsible for Atlanta being the city we love today,” said Bailey. 

On Vision, Keith Mason, Founder at KWM Capital Management, reflected on the close ties between the Mason and Russell Families in the 1950s and 60s. Mason served in several capacities with Herman Russell, including the Georgia Ports Authority, in which he recalls Herman’s aptitude for creating relationships that pushed societal boundaries of the time. “His vision was not just building major projects in Atlanta and Georgia, but also building relationships with people from different races, ethnicity, and geography that help lead to more economic opportunity for more people,” said Mason.

On Integrity, members of the 3rd Generation of the Russell Family, Zane Major, Mori Russell, and Benjamin Russell, focused on what their parents have already taught them about life and business. Collectively, G3 has already assumed the quality, vision, and responsibility of the generations before them, but they were each able to identify how integrity is an ongoing value in their parents’ lives. “Our family’s reputation in integrity holds the most importance in our ability to still be here, in business, 60 plus years later,” said Mori Russell. 

The Russell’s Four Pillar Tribute also featured outstanding musical performances by three prominent Atlanta artists. Five-time Grammy Award Winner, CeeLo Green, daughter Mayor Maynard Jackson, Alexandra Jackson, and Atlanta-based R&B artist, Chae Stephen, together, performed a moving Musical Tribute with a carefully curated selections of Herman J. Russell Sr.’s favorite artists, including Sam Cooke, Billie Holiday, and Marvin Gaye. Atlanta jazz band Lil’ John Roberts and the Senators provided supporting music throughout. Herman Russell’s alma mater, Tuskegee University Golden Voices Choir, performed the opening act. An esteemed group of Tribute Chairs were selected to pay tribute to the H.J. Russell Family and their lasting legacy on Atlanta and beyond, including:

Jay Bailey

Virginia Hepner

Keith Mason

Regynald Washington

Leona Barr-Davenport

Doug Hertz

Dave Moody

Mack Wilbourn

Dan T. Cathy

Bob Holder

Egbert Perry

Bruce Williams

Cynthia Day

Tommy Holder

Sylvia Russell

Ambassador

David Eidson

John Jackson

T. Dallas Smith

       Andrew Young

Ernest Greer

Joia Johnson

Jeffrey Tompkins

 

Sheffield Hale

Cynthia Jones-Parks

Felker Ward Jr.

 

The prestigious Four Pillar Tribute annually recognizes an outstanding individual who demonstrates the ‘Four Pillars’ of leadership – Quality, Responsibility, Vision, and Integrity – and exemplifies the Council’s mission of promoting balanced and responsible growth. The Council for Quality Growth is proud to add Herman, Donata, Jerome, and Michael Russell to its list of Four Pillar Award recipients.

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Red Cross is on The Ground, Alongside OIur Partners, Across Five States After Back-to-Back Hurricanes

The American Red Cross is working nonstop alongside our partners to support people who have been impacted by Hurricane Helene and Milton. As Floridians struggle with the new damage from Milton, the Red Cross is working tirelessly in the Carolinas, Georgia and Tennessee to provide shelter, food, water, relief supplies and comfort to those still coping with the unimaginable destruction left behind by Hurricane Helene. The Red Cross has been helping people since this onslaught of devastating weather began and will be supporting people in the weeks and months to come.

“We are two weeks into providing shelter, meals, water and hope to communities across Georgia,” said Alicia Doherty, Regional Executive for the American Red Cross of Georgia. “Thank you to our volunteers, partners and staff for working together to ensure we are meeting the immediate needs of those impacted by the storm.”

RED CROSS RESPONSE Today, nearly 2,000 Red Crossers are supporting Milton and Helene relief efforts across the impacted areas, including more than 320 disaster workers assigned in Georgia.

Since our efforts in Georgia began, the Red Cross has been coordinating relief services with local officials and community partners across the state. Together, we have opened shelters throughout Georgia and provided over 5,900 overnight stays for people displaced by Hurricane Helene or seeking refuge from Hurricane Milton. Also, here in Georgia with the help of our partners, we have served more than 350,000 meals and snacks to those in need. So far, over 15,800 relief items including comfort kits and other supplies have been provided to people across the state. Red Crossers are also providing emotional support, basic health services and helping to replace items such as eyeglasses and prescription medications.

Affected communities are facing different struggles, and the timeline for recovery and what support they need will be different. While the current focus is on addressing the immediate needs of those affected, the Red Cross also plays a critical role in helping families and communities recover in the weeks and months after a disaster.

HOW YOU CAN HELP People need urgent support now, and we can’t do this alone. Please help by making a financial donation, an appointment to give blood or platelets, or signing up to become a volunteer by visiting redcross.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (800-733-2767).

Financial donations to help people affected by Hurricanes Milton and Helene enable the Red Cross to prepare for, respond to and help people recover from these disasters. You can also text the word HURRICANES to 90999 to make a donation.

If you would like to volunteer with the Red Cross, visit redcross.org/volunteer to learn more about volunteer opportunities.

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Sonny Deriso & Craig Menear Named 2025 Georgia Trustees

The Georgia Historical Society (GHS) announced today that Walter M. “Sonny” Deriso, Jr., Banker, Attorney, and Civic Leader, and Craig A. Menear, Former Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of The Home Depot, will be inducted by the Georgia Historical Society and the Office of the Governor as the newest Georgia Trustees on Saturday, April 26, 2025, at the Trustees Gala. It is the highest honor the State of Georgia can confer.

“Sonny Deriso and Craig Menear are the living embodiment of the Georgia Trustees motto ‘Not for Self, but for Others,” said W. Todd Groce, President and CEO of the Georgia Historical Society. “Their selfless leadership and record of service are an inspiration and an example for us all. Everyone and every organization they have touched is better and stronger as a result. They demonstrate what can be accomplished when leaders lead with humility, love, and integrity—and put the success and ambition of others ahead of their own.”

In conjunction with the Governor’s Office, the Georgia Historical Society reestablished the Georgia Trustees in 2008 as a way of recognizing Georgians whose accomplishments and community service reflect the highest ideals of the founding body of Trustees. The original Georgia Trustees were a governing body chartered and appointed by His Majesty King George II of England in 1732 to establish a new colony in North America. They founded Georgia upon the principle of Non Sibi, Sed Aliis, Not for Self, but for Others. The Governor annually appoints new Trustees whose history-making accomplishments and service reflect the original Trustees’ ideals. They are inducted at the Trustees Gala in Savannah. This elegant evening includes cocktails, dinner, and an inspiring conversation with the inductees.

Walter M. “Sonny” Deriso, Jr.
Walter M. “Sonny” Deriso, Jr., was the Founding Chairman and a Director of Atlantic Capital Bank and Atlantic Capital Bancshares, Inc. Previously, Deriso served as Vice Chairman of Synovus Financial Corp. and as CEO, director, and board chairman of Security Bank & Trust Company of Albany.

Deriso began his professional career as an attorney and practiced law in Albany from 1972-1991. He served as President/CEO of Security Bank and Trust Company of Albany, a Synovus Bank, from 1991-1997, and as Vice-Chairman of Synovus from 1997-2005. He also served as Chairman of Atlantic Capital Bank and Atlantic Capital Bancshares, Inc. in Atlanta from their founding in 2006 until their merger with SouthState Corporation in 2022. 

Deriso has served as chairman of numerous boards, including Georgia Bankers Association, Georgia Chamber of Commerce, Georgia Regional Transportation Authority, and the Georgia Historical Society. He has served as a Trustee of Emory University. From 2005 to 2012, he served as Chairman of the capital campaign for Emory University that successfully raised $1.697 billion, at that time the largest capital campaign in Georgia’s history. He and his wife, Judy, are currently co-chairing a capital campaign for Phoebe Putney Healthcare’s Phoebe Foundation.

He received the Marion Luther Brittain Service Award from Emory University in 1968, was listed in 2011 in Atlanta Business Chronicle’s 100 Most Influential Atlantans, was recognized in 2017 by Atlanta Business Chronicle as a Most-Admired CEO, and was listed in Georgia Trend’s 100 Most Influential Georgians in 2022.

Deriso graduated from Emory College with a BA in History and received his J.D. with Distinction from Emory University School of Law. In 1968 he joined the U.S. Army Reserve and served with the 449th Field Depot until 1974.

Craig Menear
Craig Menear is the retired chairman and CEO of The Home Depot, the world’s largest home improvement retailer, with over four decades of experience in the business. Menear joined The Home Depot in 1997 as a merchant and held various leadership roles within the company, including President U.S. Retail and Executive Vice President of Merchandising. He was appointed CEO in November 2014, serving in that capacity until February 2022, and as Chair in February 2015 until retiring in September 2022.

Menear was recognized as a respected and influential leader in the retail industry and has been named to several lists of top CEOs and business executives. He has served on the board of directors of the Retail Industry Leaders Association; the Atlanta Committee for Progress, a partnership between the Mayor and top business, civic, and academic leaders; the executive committee of the Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies, and currently serves as a director on the board of Camp Southern Ground, Junior Achievement’s 3DE high school education re-engineering initiative, and JA USA. In addition to these efforts, his family is active in supporting the Salvation Army in Atlanta and their church.

Craig earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Michigan State University’s Eli Broad College of Business. In 2017, he was honored with MSU’s Distinguished Alumni Award for his business accomplishments and commitment to philanthropic initiatives. He was awarded an honorary Doctorate degree from MSU in 2021.

Previous Georgia Trustees
Previous inductees are Dr. Louis Sullivan, Carol Tomé, Dan Amos, Donna Hyland, Dan Cathy, Shirley Franklin, David Abney, Juanita Baranco, Robert L. Brown, Jr., Robert S. Jepson, Jr., Frank Blake, John Schuerholz, Edward H. Bastian, W. Paul Bowers, F. Duane Ackerman, A.D. “Pete” Correll, James H. Blanchard, Muhtar Kent, Alana Smith Shepherd, Paula S. Wallace, Arthur M. Blank, William Porter “Billy” Payne, Truett Cathy, Herman Russell, Tom Cousins, Andrew Young, Vincent J. Dooley, Sam Nunn, Henry Aaron, Robert Edward “Ted” Turner, Bernard Marcus, and Marguerite Neel Williams.

For more information about the 2025 Georgia Trustees, please contact Kelly Williams at kelly@createaruckus.com or by phone at 512.826.6219.

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Horizons Atlanta Welcomes Kelly Criss as Director of Development

Horizons Atlanta (HA) today announced that Kelly Criss has joined its regional team as Director of Development. Criss will lead the organization’s regional fund development program and support its 11 program sites in their individual fundraising efforts.

“We’re excited to have Kelly join our Horizons Atlanta team as she brings a wealth of knowledge and experience that will help us continue to grow and ensure more Atlanta-area scholars are able to participate in out of school programming that supports their academic and personal well-being,” said LaVasia Bullard, Interim Executive Director at Horizons Atlanta.

Prior to joining Horizons Atlanta, Criss was the Director of Individual Giving at the Atlanta Ballet, the nation’s oldest established ballet company and the state of Georgia’s largest self-supported arts organization. In this role, she directed the cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of current and prospective major donors and was able to increase the total donor portfolio by over 50%. During her tenure, she achieved new organizational records exceeding the Ballet’s annual fund goal two years in a row.

Before her time at the Atlanta Ballet, she served as Director of Corporate & Individual Giving at Aurora Theatre and stewarded the Lawrenceville Arts Center capital campaign. Other experience includes serving as the Manager of Special Projects at the High Museum of Art and the Artistic & Education Manager at Horizon Theatre, where she mentored the apprentice company and was the primary coordinator for the annual Young Playwrights Festival.

Criss also teaches beginning acting courses for teens at the Alliance Theatre and has been a member of the Atlanta Shakespeare acting company since 2006, after completing their pre-professional apprentice training program. Additionally, she is a founding member and former producer with the Weird Sisters Theatre Project, where she currently serves on the Board of Directors.

Criss earned a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre Arts from Furman University.

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SBA Adds More Counties to Georgia Disaster Declaration

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced today the addition of four primary counties and six adjacent counties to the disaster declaration for Hurricane Helene, giving more businesses and residents eligibility to apply for SBA’s low-interest disaster loan program. The SBA opened a Portable Loan Outreach Center in Valdosta to meet disaster survivors where they are. All SBA Centers will temporarily close on Monday, Oct. 14 in observance of Columbus Day.  The Centers will resume normal operations on Tuesday, Oct. 15.  

Customer Service Representatives from the SBA are at every FEMA Disaster Recovery Center as well as its three Centers in Georgia where survivors can get help with their SBA disaster loan application. SBA’s Customer Service Representatives can answer questions, help survivors complete their disaster loan application, accept documents, and provide updates on an application’s status. Walk-ins are accepted, but you can schedule an appointment in advance.  The hours of operation for the SBA Centers are as follows:

Business Recovery Center (BRC)

Lowndes County

Turner Center for the Arts, Art Annex

601 North Patterson Street

Valdosta, GA 31601

Hours:         Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

                       Saturday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Closed:       Sunday

Closed Monday, Oct. 14 for Holiday

Portable Loan Outreach Center (PLOC)

Lowndes County

McMullen Southside Library

527 Griffin Avenue

Valdosta, GA 31601

Hours:         Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

                       Saturday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Closed:       Sunday

Closed Monday, Oct. 14 for Holiday

Business Recovery Center (BRC)

Richmond County

CSRA Regional Commission

3626 Walton Way Ext Suite 1  

Augusta, GA 30909

Hours:         Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

                       Saturday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Closed:        Sunday

Closed Monday, Oct. 14 for Holiday

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Norfolk Southern Donates Additional $400K to Red Cross for Hurricane Milton and Helene Relief Efforts

Norfolk Southern Corporation (NYSE: NSC) has contributed an additional $400,000 to the American Red Cross to aid its large-scale relief efforts following Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton. This donation brings the company’s total disaster recovery support to $775,000 in 2024. In addition, Norfolk Southern’s Employee Disaster Relief Program is offering grants to employees affected by Hurricane Milton and Hurricane Helene to cover disaster-related expenses and losses.

“As we stand alongside our communities during this challenging time, we’re not just offering financial support—we’re providing hope and helping rebuild what’s been lost,” said Norfolk Southern Director NS Foundation and Community Impact Kristin Wong. “This donation reinforces our commitment to being a trusted partner in recovery, not only for those communities impacted by the storms but also for our own team members who have been affected. Together, we’re making sure they have the resources needed for both immediate relief and long-term recovery.”

Norfolk Southern has supported the Red Cross for nearly 20 years and is a Disaster Responder partner. The company contributes $250,000 annually through the Red Cross’s Annual Disaster Giving Program (ADGP). This new donation also builds upon last week’s $100,000 for Hurricane Helene relief and previous support for Hurricane Debby.

Additionally, the company is encouraging employees to donate, with a two-to-one match, and will continue hosting blood drives throughout the year to support the Red Cross’s overall mission.