H. J. Russell & Company

What H. J. Russell & Company does

H. J. Russell & Company is an integrated construction and program management firm headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, founded in 1952 by Herman J. Russell. The company is privately held and family-owned, currently operating under second-generation leadership with Michael Russell as CEO and H. Jerome Russell as President. It is one of the largest minority-owned, African American-led construction firms in the United States, with 251-500 employees and offices in Atlanta, Boston (Wellesley), Dallas, Los Angeles (El Segundo), and Clearwater, FL.

The firm's core offerings include Construction Management, Program Management, Preconstruction Services, Virtual Design & Construction (VDC), Project Controls, Construction Management at Risk (CMAR) delivery, and Real Estate & Property Services. Underlying capabilities include CMAR methodology, program controls systems implementation, model-based QA/QC, and trade partner coordination via a HighWire-powered portal. The company serves six primary verticals: Government & Civic Infrastructure, Aviation & Transportation, Education & Institutional Facilities, Mission Critical (data centers, telecom, NOCs), Commercial (sports venues, museums, corporate interiors), and Multifamily & Mixed-Use housing. Notable project references include the $2.2 billion Mercedes-Benz Stadium (JV with Holder, Hunt, C.D. Moody), the $321 million Atlanta Water Supply Program (JV with PC Construction), Hartsfield-Jackson Airport Concourse D, Emory Sports Medicine Complex, and Methodist Richardson/Celina Medical Centers.

The revenue model is professional services-based, with engagements structured on hourly, lump sum, or multiplier bases and delivered through direct enterprise sales, RFP submissions, owner-representative engagements, and joint venture partnerships. The company pursues complex, large-capital projects where construction-informed program leadership, occupied-environment expertise, and supplier diversity credentials drive selection. The broader Russell Family Enterprises ecosystem includes sister company Concessions International (airport F&B), Russell Center for Innovation & Entrepreneurship, Russell New Urban Development, and the H. J. Russell Foundation.

Name

H. J. Russell & Company

Legal name

H. J. Russell & Company

Website

https://hjrussell.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1952

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

H. J. Russell & Company is a privately held, family-owned construction and program management firm founded in 1952 in Atlanta, delivering integrated CM, PM, and CMAR services across government, aviation, mission critical, education, healthcare, multifamily, and commercial sectors through five U.S. offices.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Atlanta

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices6 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Construction Management Services: Professional construction management services including preconstruction, CMAR delivery, VDC, and field execution for complex projects across multiple sectors
2. Program Management Services: Program management for large capital programs with flexible engagement structures (hourly, lump sum, or multiplier basis)
3. Project Controls: Fee-based project controls services including cost management, scheduling, document control, and procurement support

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

H. J. Russell & Company is an integrated construction and program management firm delivering preconstruction, Construction Management at Risk (CMAR), Virtual Design & Construction (VDC), project controls, program management, and real estate/property services. It serves enterprise, institutional, and government clients across aviation, civic/infrastructure, healthcare, higher education, mission-critical, multifamily/mixed-use, and commercial/ sports venue projects, including as a joint-venture partner on mega-programs such as Mercedes-Benz Stadium and the Atlanta Water Supply Program.

Product overview

H. J. Russell & Company is a construction and program management firm offering integrated services rather than a software product platform. The company's core service offerings include Construction Management and Program Management, which work together as the primary delivery approach. Supporting these core services are Preconstruction Services, Virtual Design & Construction (VDC), Project Controls, Construction Management at Risk (CMAR) delivery method, Real Estate & Property Services, and a Trade Partner Program. The company serves markets including government, mission critical (data centers), commercial, education & institutional facilities, multifamily & mixed-use, and transportation sectors.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Construction Management Project oversight, scheduling, cost management, and quality control for complex construction projects across aviation, campus, housing, civic, and mission-critical sectors, delivered as a fee-based professional service for enterprise, institutional, and government owners.
• Program Management Oversight of multiple construction projects within large capital programs, including governance, budgeting, scheduling, risk management, and stakeholder coordination, with flexible engagement structures (hourly, lump sum, or multiplier basis) for public and private owners.
• Preconstruction Services Front-end planning services including cost estimating, budgeting, value engineering, feasibility studies, and funding assistance performed before construction begins on owner capital projects.
• Virtual Design & Construction (VDC) Trade coordination, VDC support, model-based QA/QC, and digital delivery services for construction projects, used by project teams to reduce clashes and improve predictability before and during field execution.
• Project Controls Fee-based service focused on planning, managing, and mitigating cost, schedule, and risk impacts throughout construction, including cost/schedule management, risk management, document management, procurement, and contract administration.
• Construction Management at Risk (CMAR) Delivery method providing disciplined oversight of cost, schedule, quality, and safety, supported by construction-informed leadership and proven delivery practices, integrating Russell's expertise early to manage risk and achieve predictable project outcomes.
• Real Estate & Property Services Real estate and property management services including land acquisition, property management, and condition assessments for owners and investors in the firm's multifamily, mixed-use, and institutional portfolio.
• Trade Partner Program Pre-registration program engaging qualified trade partners early, aligning expectations, and providing a clear path to execution that drives quality, safety, and performance on Russell project teams.

Quantifiable outcome

• Atlanta Water Supply Program completed $5 million under budget
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, minor and core.

• FS 360, LLCflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 13 January 2026Joint venture prime contractors for John A. White Golf Course & Senior Activity Center project ($25 million). Historic first with two Black-owned general contractors awarded as prime team for public-sector project in Atlanta. FS 360 founded in 2008, specializes in aviation, corporate, distribution, education, government, and transportation markets.
• National Association of Minority Contractors (NAMC) of Greater AtlantaminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 13 January 2026Industry association celebrating the historic JV award; hosting Prime Meet & Greet for trade partners to connect with Russell-FS 360 joint venture team
• Concessions InternationalflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerSister company founded in 1979; one of the nation's largest Black-owned airport food and beverage operators running nearly 40 locations across 8 U.S. airports for 30+ national, regional, and proprietary brands; approximately $120 million annual revenue; about 1,100 employees. Both companies are part of Russell Family Enterprises.
• PC ConstructionflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint venture partnership for Atlanta Water Supply Program - $321 million project converting quarry to 2.4 billion gallon water storage system. PC/Russell team completed project on time and $5 million under budget. Earned multiple national and regional awards including CMAA National Project Achievement Award and ENR Southeast Best Project.
• Holder ConstructioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint venture partner for Mercedes-Benz Stadium project ($2.2B) as part of four-partner team including Hunt Construction Group and C.D. Moody Construction
• Hunt Construction GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint venture partner for Mercedes-Benz Stadium project ($2.2B) as part of four-partner team including Holder Construction and C.D. Moody Construction
• C.D. Moody ConstructioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint venture partner for Mercedes-Benz Stadium project ($2.2B) as part of four-partner team including Holder Construction and Hunt Construction Group
• Legends Project DevelopmentcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint development partner with Emory Healthcare for Emory Sports Medicine Complex - NBA Atlanta Hawks player development and practice facility
• Quest Community Development CorporationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDevelopment partner for Quest Residences at Grove Park - 40-unit affordable senior housing community part of $110 million Westside Housing Trifecta initiative in Atlanta's Grove Park neighborhood
• Russell Center for Innovation & EntrepreneurshipminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEntrepreneurial center honoring founder Herman J. Russell's spirit and commitment to giving back; transforming former headquarters into innovation hub
• Russell Family EnterprisescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFamily organization including multiple Russell entities: H.J. Russell & Company, Concessions International, Russell Center for Innovation & Entrepreneurship, Russell Family Enterprises LLC, and Russell New Urban Development LLC
• H.J. Russell FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFamily foundation part of broader Russell family enterprise focused on community investment and giving back

Scale indicators15 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Holder Construction: Large U.S. commercial construction and construction management firm with a comparable mix of aviation, mission-critical, sports, and higher-ed work. Holder is Russell's direct joint-venture partner on Mercedes-Benz Stadium and competes head-to-head for similar CMAR/program management mandates.
• Gilbane Building Company: Privately held construction management and general contracting firm serving education, healthcare, government, and mission-critical markets. Closely comparable in scale, private family-ownership profile, and CM-led delivery model.
• DPR Construction: National CM/GC firm specializing in technically complex, mission-critical, healthcare, and higher-ed projects. Closely comparable in VDC capability, technical delivery, and pursuit of large-scale CM/PM mandates that Russell targets.
• M.A. Mortenson: Privately held builder with deep CM and program management capabilities across sports, aviation, healthcare, and data centers. Comparable scale and pursuit of large owner-rep and CMAR engagements.
• Hunt Construction Group: National CM/GC firm focused on sports venues, aviation, and commercial work. Russell's JV partner on Mercedes-Benz Stadium and a similarly structured mid-to-large CM firm with overlapping target markets and delivery methods.
• McCarthy Building Companies: Employee-owned CM/GC with comparable mid-sized scale and strong focus on healthcare, education, aviation, and mission-critical projects. Competes for similar public-sector and institutional CMAR mandates.

Broad incumbents

• Turner Construction Company: One of the largest general contractors/CM firms in the U.S., serving virtually all of Russell's target markets. Represents the upper bound of the competitive set on aviation, mission-critical, and large public-sector pursuits.
• Tishman Construction (AECOM): Established CM/PM arm of global infrastructure firm AECOM, focused on complex commercial, mission-critical, and government projects. Overlaps heavily with Russell's target sectors but operates as part of a much broader portfolio.
• Clark Construction Group: Large diversified CM/GC firm with strength in commercial, healthcare, higher-ed, and government. A frequent competitor on large public-sector programs where Russell also pursues work.
• Walsh Group / Walsh Construction: Family-owned national CM/GC with strong public-sector, healthcare, education, and transportation portfolios. Comparable privately held structure and overlapping pursuits to Russell's government and institutional segments.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/hjrussell_co
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@h.j.russellcompany
• Facebookfacebook.com/hj-russell-company-1076442202420533
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/116086
• Instagraminstagram.com/hjrussellco/?hl=en

Compliance5 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles16 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about H. J. Russell & Company