Benjamin Russell, chairman of the board of Russell Lands Inc., has died.
A lifelong resident of Alexander City, Russell “was a transformative leader whose deep love for Lake Martin and the state of Alabama shaped a premier development and recreation enterprise, fostered groundbreaking philanthropy and enriched the fabric of the community,” according to a news release from Russell Lands.
After attending the University of Alabama and Mercer University, Russell began his career at Russell Corp., the textile company founded by his grandfather, Benjamin “Mr. Ben” Russell, in 1902. The younger Russell was named president of Russell Lands Inc. in 1970.
Russell took 25,000 acres and 250 miles of Lake Martin shoreline and developed more than a dozen waterfront communities. Operations also include Russell Marine and Willow Point Golf & Country Club.
“Ben’s vision and passion were the driving forces behind everything we do at Russell Lands,” said David Sturdivant, president of Russell Lands. “He was more than a chairman; he was a mentor, a community champion and a true visionary. While we mourn his loss, we are incredibly proud to celebrate his life and remain committed to honoring his remarkable legacy by continuing to build upon the foundation and values he established over the last half-century.”
In addition to the development of the Lake Martin area, Russell was a prolific philanthropist. He and his wife, Luanne, founded Children’s Harbor, a destination for families of chronically ill children, in 1989, later funding the Children’s Harbor Family Center at Children’s of Alabama in Birmingham. A $25 million donation to the hospital led to the dedication of the Benjamin Russell Hospital for Children. In 2021, the Russells made another $25 million donation to Russell Medical in Alexander City, funding the Russell Legacy Project to champion geriatric care and build an independent and assisted living community.
