Russell Cellular Snapshot
To provide the best wireless experience to every customer, every time.
Russell Cellular is an Authorized Verizon Retailer and “Big 6” Agent, with more than 675 locations across
42 states and 2,400+ employees. It has grown to its current status from very humble beginnings. Jeff Russell
was a turkey farmer in Arkansas with his wife Kym and young family. Jeff and Kym knew they wanted to own a
business and provide opportunities for their family, so they picked up and moved to Springfield, Missouri.
Jeff answered an ad to sell for Alltel Wireless and in December of 1993, Jeff and Kym opened Russell Cellular
as a family business which they ran from the living room of their house. In June of 1994, the first Russell Cellular
retail location was opened. As business partners, Jeff and Kym divided the responsibilities of running the
company. Jeff handled sales, marketing and finances while Kym was responsible for operations, inventory,
HR and payroll. Even their young kids got involved with handing out flyers while performing data entry while
helping to set up new locations as the company began to grow.
The next ten years saw continued sales and employee growth and the opening of new stores in Missouri,
Arkansas and Kansas. In 2002 the company made its first acquisition of a one store competitor in Springfield,
MO and with this purchase, the Russell Cellular business model of organic growth combined with acquisition
began. In 2008, the company made its first large-scale acquisition of an 18-store company in Ohio. In 2009
Alltel Wireless was acquired by Verizon Wireless and all Russell Cellular stores were converted to Verizon by
the close of 2009. Over the next seven years Russell Cellular experienced record-breaking sales and growth
in into new states and Verizon markets, including the Northeast, New York City, and Pennsylvania.
In 2017, Russell Cellular joined the Verizon “Big 6” program which helped accelerate growth in new markets,
including California and Florida. 2018 was a significant year for Russell Cellular, not only did the company
celebrate its 25th Anniversary and maintain more than 400 stores in 30 states but it was named the 2018
Verizon Partner of the Year. One year later, Russell Cellular completed it’s two largest acquisitions adding 150
retail locations and bringing the total store count to more than 600.
Having been in business for over 27 years, Russell Cellular has achieved many accomplishments, including:
being named #1 in the Dynamic Dozen fastest growing companies by the Springfield Business Journal in 2004,
2010 and 2020, and being recognized ten times in the INC. 5000. In addition, the company opened its 40,000
square foot Home Office in December 2019. The Russell Family attributes the success of the company to the
family-like culture they established early on by investing in employees and communities, providing opportunities for team member growth, and maintaining a personal connection with company operations.
42 states and 2,400+ employees. It has grown to its current status from very humble beginnings. Jeff Russell
was a turkey farmer in Arkansas with his wife Kym and young family. Jeff and Kym knew they wanted to own a
business and provide opportunities for their family, so they picked up and moved to Springfield, Missouri.
Jeff answered an ad to sell for Alltel Wireless and in December of 1993, Jeff and Kym opened Russell Cellular
as a family business which they ran from the living room of their house. In June of 1994, the first Russell Cellular
retail location was opened. As business partners, Jeff and Kym divided the responsibilities of running the
company. Jeff handled sales, marketing and finances while Kym was responsible for operations, inventory,
HR and payroll. Even their young kids got involved with handing out flyers while performing data entry while
helping to set up new locations as the company began to grow.
The next ten years saw continued sales and employee growth and the opening of new stores in Missouri,
Arkansas and Kansas. In 2002 the company made its first acquisition of a one store competitor in Springfield,
MO and with this purchase, the Russell Cellular business model of organic growth combined with acquisition
began. In 2008, the company made its first large-scale acquisition of an 18-store company in Ohio. In 2009
Alltel Wireless was acquired by Verizon Wireless and all Russell Cellular stores were converted to Verizon by
the close of 2009. Over the next seven years Russell Cellular experienced record-breaking sales and growth
in into new states and Verizon markets, including the Northeast, New York City, and Pennsylvania.
In 2017, Russell Cellular joined the Verizon “Big 6” program which helped accelerate growth in new markets,
including California and Florida. 2018 was a significant year for Russell Cellular, not only did the company
celebrate its 25th Anniversary and maintain more than 400 stores in 30 states but it was named the 2018
Verizon Partner of the Year. One year later, Russell Cellular completed it’s two largest acquisitions adding 150
retail locations and bringing the total store count to more than 600.
Having been in business for over 27 years, Russell Cellular has achieved many accomplishments, including:
being named #1 in the Dynamic Dozen fastest growing companies by the Springfield Business Journal in 2004,
2010 and 2020, and being recognized ten times in the INC. 5000. In addition, the company opened its 40,000
square foot Home Office in December 2019. The Russell Family attributes the success of the company to the
family-like culture they established early on by investing in employees and communities, providing opportunities for team member growth, and maintaining a personal connection with company operations.