PRESS RELEASE Media Contact:
For Immediate Release: Kathryn Jones
Friday, June 7, 2024 770-813-3381
Council for Quality Growth Names Speakers & Chairs for the
2024 Four Pillar Tribute honoring the H.J. Russell Family
Donata, Jerome, Michael, and the Late Herman J. Russell to
Receive 35th Annual Four Pillar Award on October 10
ATLANTA, GEORGIA – On October 10, 2024, the Council for Quality Growth will honor the legacy of Herman J. Russell Sr. and the Russell Family with its 35th annual Four Pillar Tribute. This is the first time in the history of the Tribute that the living legacy of a family will be honored. The 2024 Tribute will recognize the lasting impact of family patriarch Herman and ongoing contributions of his three adult children, Donata Russell Ross, H. Jerome Russell, and Michael Russell Sr. The 2024 reception and dinner are presented by the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation, Delta Air Lines, Georgia Power, and Norfolk Southern, and will be held in the Georgia Ballroom of the Georgia World Congress Center.
The theme of the Russell’s Four Pillar Tribute is Pure Grit. Built to Last. With pure grit, a vision to succeed, commitment to quality workmanship, responsibility to family and community, and uncompromising integrity, Herman J. Russell Sr. created an empire that was built to last. He helped forever transform the Atlanta skyline with such projects as Coca-Cola Enterprises, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, luxury high-rise apartments, State Farm Arena, and Mercedes-Benz Stadium, to name a few. His tenacity and can-do spirit resulted in sound business practices that he instilled in his adult children. They have continued to grow their father’s legacy to pass on to their children, grandchildren, and future generations. Today, Donata is CEO of Concessions International, Jerome is President of Russell New Urban Development, and Michael is CEO of the H.J. Russell & Company. The ongoing story of the Russell family is one that is embedded in the City of Atlanta and perfectly exemplifies the Council’s ‘Four Pillars’ of leadership – Quality, Responsibility, Vision, and Integrity.
At the 2024 Four Pillar Tribute, a special group of Tribute Speakers will speak to the presence of these ‘Four Pillars’ of leadership in the lives and work of Herman, Donata, Jerome, and Michael. Tribute Speakers include Ernest Greer, Co-President of Greenberg Traurig, Jay Bailey, President and CEO of Russell Innovation Center for Entrepreneurs (RICE), Keith Mason, Founder of KWM Capital Management, and a member of the 3rd Generation Russell Family. T. Dallas Smith, Founder and CEO of T. Dallas Smith & Company, will serve as the Master of Ceremonies. The evening will also feature a special musical tribute and entertainment, a video tribute to the Russell Family, and remarks from other special guests. An esteemed group of Tribute Chairs have been selected to pay tribute to the living legacy of Herman J. Russell Sr. and the Russell Family for their collective impact and exemplary leadership among Atlanta and beyond, including:
| Jay Bailey | Sheffield Hale | Joia Johnson | Jeffrey Thompkins |
| Leona Barr-Davenport | Virginia Hepner | Cynthia Jones-Parks | Felker Ward |
| Dan T. Cathy | Doug Hertz | Keith Mason | Regynald Washington |
| Cynthia Day | Bob Holder | Dave Moody | Mack Wilbourn |
| David Eidson | Tommy Holder | Egbert Perry | Bruce Williams |
| Ernest Greer | John Jackson | T. Dallas Smith | Ambassador Andrew Young |
For 35 years, the prestigious Four Pillar Award recognizes outstanding individuals who demonstrate 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 commends the work of the Russell family, both past and present, that has contributed to Atlanta’s success story, making it a better place to live, to work, and to visit. The Council is incredibly proud to continue its annual tradition of recognizing extraordinary leaders in our region and state by adding the legacy of Herman J. Russell, Donata Russell Ross, H. Jerome Russell, and Michael Russell Sr. to the prestigious list of Four Pillar Award honorees. Sponsorship information is now available at www.FourPillarTribute.com.
What: Council for Quality Growth’s 35th Annual Four Pillar Tribute
Who: Honoring the Legacy of Herman J. Russell Sr. and the Russell Family, including Donata Russell Ross, H. Jerome Russell, and Michael Russell Sr.
Master of Ceremonies
- Dallas Smith, Founder and CEO of T. Dallas Smith & Company
Tribute Speakers on Quality, Responsibility, Vision, and Integrity
- Ernest Greer, Co-President, Greenberg Traurig
- Jay Bailey, President and CEO, Russell Innovation Center for Entrepreneurs (RICE)
- Keith Mason, Founder, KWM Capital Management
- 3rd Generation Russell Family
Other Featured Speakers
- Sally Riker, 2024 Chair, Council for Quality Growth
- Michael Paris, President & CEO, Council for Quality Growth
When: Thursday, October 10, 2024
- 6:00 p.m. – Cocktail reception
- 7:15 p.m. – Dinner and Tribute presentation
Where: Georgia World Congress Center’s Georgia Ballroom
Attire: Black-tie Optional
Tickets are required for guests and are available at www.FourPillarTribute.com.
Read the 2024 Four Pillar Tribute Honoree Announcement Here.
Download the full 2024 Sponsorship Brochure Here.
About the Four Pillar Tribute:
For 35 years the Council for Quality Growth has paid tribute to an outstanding individual in the metro Atlanta region who exemplifies the Council’s mission of promoting balanced and responsible growth through an annual leadership tribute gala that recognizes the ‘Four Pillars’ of leadership – Quality, Responsibility, Vision, and Integrity.
The Four Pillar Award and Tribute is an unparalleled honor that allows the opportunity for the metro Atlanta region and State of Georgia to celebrate the recipient’s significant contributions to quality of life, community leadership, and economic development. The gala and award have come to be known as the highest honor bestowed for the contributions. The event provides a platform to align the honorees’ impacts on the region and the state with the Council’s ambitions and serves as a beacon of inspiration to perpetuate our economic prosperity. More information about the annual Four Pillar Tribute can be found at www.fourpillartribute.com.
Past recipients of the Council’s Four Pillar Award can be viewed here: https://www.fourpillartribute.com/about-the-award/
About the Council for Quality Growth:
The Council for Quality Growth is a trade organization that works to ensure continued growth and economic success for generations to come by providing advocacy, information, and education to its members. For 39 years, the Council has been committed to the mission of promoting balanced and responsible growth and is proactively involved in the formulation of policy and legislation critical to the growth and development industry. The Council addresses, head-on, strategic economic planning, infrastructure needs, and tough quality-of-life issues throughout the metro Atlanta region and state. Visit www.councilforqualitygrowth.org for more.
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