About Russell Cellular

Better Together

Our Story

The Russell Cellular story didn’t begin with a phone. It started with a little ambition on a turkey farm in Arkansas where Jeff Russell worked in the early 1990s. Jeff and his wife, Kym, knew they wanted to own a business and provide opportunities for their young family. So, in 1993, they took a chance to realize their dream and moved to Springfield, Missouri. Jeff answered an ad to sell for Alltel Wireless, and in December of that year, Jeff and Kym opened Russell Cellular as a family business that they ran from their living room.

In June 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 and 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. With this purchase, the Russell Cellular 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 into new states and Verizon markets, including the Northeast, New York City, and Pennsylvania.

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 into new states and Verizon markets, including the Northeast, New York City, and Pennsylvania.

Having been in business for over three decades, we have 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, we opened our 40,000 square foot Home Office in December of 2019. The Russell Family attributes the success of the company to the family-like culture established early on, by investing in team members and communities, providing opportunities for team member growth, and maintaining a personal connection with company operations.