WINTER / 23
THE JOY OF GIVING BACK Five years in, Russell Cellular's partnership with Habitat For Humanity is going strong.
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Call 800-999-7222, or go to anthemEAP.com, then enter your company code: Russell Cellular
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FROM THE FEED
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Jeff Russell CO-FOUNDER Kym Russell PRESIDENT Jeven Russell CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER Darin Wray CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER Robert Lister CHIEF STRATEGY OFFICER Nathan Mindeman VICE PRESIDENT OF EXECUTIVE SUPPORT Layton Alsup CHIEF SALES OFFICER Daniel Hyder AREA VICE PRESIDENT OF SALES Brad Boman AREA VICE PRESIDENT OF SALES Anthony Badalamenti AREA VICE PRESIDENT OF SALES Khris Stillman VICE PRESIDENT OF LEARNING & DEVELOPMENT Kurt Reinhart DIRECTOR OF RC CARES Ron Wallace MARKETING MANAGER Stephanie McHatton
2111 S. Eastgate Ave., Springfield, MO 65809 PHONE: 417-883-7417 / FAX 417-889-7417 417MAG.COM KATIE POLLOCK ESTES / EDITORIAL DIRECTOR ETTIE BERNEKING / EDITOR ALEX WOLKEN / CREATIVE DIRECTOR CONTRIBUTING WRITERS AND PHOTOGRAPHERS Karen Bliss, Tessa Cooper, Juliana Goodwin, Rae Snobl, , LOGAN AGUIRRE / PUBLISHER MEGAN JOHNSON / VICE PRESIDENT OF OPERATIONS & CUSTOM PUBLICATIONS AMMIE SCOTT / VICE PRESIDENT OF STRATEGY AND SENIOR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE GARY WHITAKER / FOUNDER JOAN WHITAKER / FOUNDER
Photos courtesy Russell Cellular
Visit our social media sites to learn about the latest developments from Russell Cellular.
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1
TOC / KYM'S NOTE
HELLO RC FAMILY, This year has been a special year commemorating our 30th year in business. This is a milestone for sure! We have taken time to reflect on our journey, celebrate where we are today and look toward the future of Russell Cellular. In many ways our business is the same as it was when it started on December 3, 1993. The sales process is still about greeting and building rapport with our customers, listening to their needs and offering solutions, overcoming objections and closing the sale, while earning future business and referrals. Our entire leadership team continues to strive to provide a work environment where our people can find meaning and joy in their work while providing for themselves and their families. We still believe in our three pillars of providing opportunity for personal and professional growth, showing every person their value and importance on this team. We have come a very long way together. It is wonderful celebrate our company’s success and the people who have shared this journey with us. All of us share the responsibility of taking care of our customers and our RC Family.
.
This issue is a tribute to our winning team and the positive impact we continue to make together.
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RC CONNECTIONS / WINTER
Photo by Ettie Berneking
CONTENTS / TOC
ON THE COVER Chance Morlan took part in one of Russell Cellular’s Habitat For Humanity builds and made it on the cover of this issue of RC Connections. WINTER / 2023
A CLOSER LOOK Russell Cellular had a major anniversary this year. It hit the big 30. Look back at how RC started and what keeps it going strong today. PG
24
Photos courtesy Russell Cellular
P. 16
P. 5
P. 12
P. 13
RC AND HABITAT FOR HUMANITY ARE TEAMING UP ONCE AGAIN.
MICRO SUCCESS STORIES
COLOR CODE YOUR PERSONALITY
Ricky Tompkins went
Store managers and
There's a new way to
from a Wireless Sales
leaders share their wins
figure out what kind of
Representative to an
and how they hit their
coworker and leader you
Assistant Store Manager
goals and led their teams
are. Now the big question
in 10 months.
to success.
is what color are you?
HOW I...
RUSSELLCELLULAR.COM
3
LIFE / SPOTLIGHT
THE TIES THAT BIND This Regional Director of Sales knows first hand that support at home and in the community means everything. BY SUSAN ATTEBERRY SMITH
E
ven before Jeremy and Rebekah Williams got married in 2021, Jeremy knew family would be a
priority in their lives.
“I was told early on that we’d always be within a quick drive to her parents,” says the Dallas-based Regional Director of Sales, who joined Russell Cellular five years ago. Now that Jeremy and Rebekah are parents themselves—to daughter Leighton, who celebrates her first birthday this November— those ties are even more important. Jeremy calls Rebekah “the glue that holds the family together.” When he isn’t overseeing eight districts and she isn’t working as a cosmetologist, the three are either spending time with Rebekah’s parents or visiting Jeremy’s sister and cousins. “It’s been a whirlwind the last couple of years, for sure,” Jeremy says. “The biggest blessing of all is to have our little girl. It reminds me every day of what out there is most important.” That’s one reason why the dedicated family man values RC Cares volunteer efforts to help communities, too. In 2022, Jeremy partnered with Lubbock-based Regional Director of Sales James Perez to raise money for teachers and the families of victims of the Robb Elementary School mass shooting in Uvalde. This spring, when tornadoes ravaged East Texas and Louisiana, Williams and Perez also collected money for those victims through RC Cares projects. Since 2021, Williams and his team have raised funds for the terminally ill through Project 4031, a nonprofit foundation founded by his brother-in-law and sister-in-law. About $3,000 in RC Cares contributions each year covered a “bucket list” trip for one family and kept the lights turned on for others, he says. “We were able to turn on utilities and pay some bills for some families that ran out of money due to medical bills,” Jeremy says. As he sees it, no donation is too small, and it’s donations and support like this that helps keep a community standing strong, whether it’s a family of three or a town of several thousand.
4
RC CONNECTIONS / WINTER
Photo courtesy Jeremy Williams
SHOWING SUPPORT / LIFE
SUPPORT IN THE COMMUNITY Russell Cellular and Habitat for
2
MICRO SUCCESS STORIES
Ashley Maysonet
Humanity are old friends. BY JULIANA GOODWIN
Watertown, MA
W
hen
Habitat
for
Humanity held its 18th
annual
Tool
Belts & Bow Ties gala in 2023, Russell Cellular donated $3,000
to the organization. Ron Wallace, Director of RC Cares, says 100% of that will go to build a new house in the Springfield community. Amber Mueller, Director of Development
who can’t secure a convention-
and
Russell Cellular has support-
the
al loan. The homes are not free.
ed the Springfield
Springfield affiliate of Habitat for
Habitat is also the lender and pro-
the past five years and provided
Partnerships
for
affiliate for
Humanity said $145,000 was
vides a 0% interest mortgage, so
more than 130 hours of volunteer
raised at the gala, which was the
the loan is sustainable based on
labor as well as funding through
organization’s largest fundraiser
the home owner’s income.
PopSocket
to date. That figure includes in-
But that zero % interest rate
sales,
fundraisers,
donating Life Points from blood
kind donations of materials and
isn’t free. Each home buyer must
drives and direct sponsorships.
contract services that will be di-
complete a minimum of 250
As Ron says, “Their mission mir-
rectly applied to the home build.
sweat equity hours as well as
rors our mission. It just makes
Giving back to Habitat for
14 Tools for Life classes, which
sense.”
Humanity is nothing new for RC.
teach important life skills that
The company has been a long-
come with owning a home.
time supporter of the nonprofit. Ron says team members have supported Habitat for Humanity
BY THE NUMBERS
many times over the years and
35 YEARS
in several states. The team has helped build new homes, and they even built a playground in
That’s how long Habitat Springfield has been building homes in Greene County
750+
a shopping mall in a low-income neighborhood. “It’s a great orga-
homes built in that time
nization,” Ron says. Part of why Russell Cellular is
committed
to
supporting
$100,300
RECEIVED 40 APPLICATIONS IN 2023
Habitat for Humanity, is its mission. Habitat for Humanity builds
Cost to build a two-bedroom house:
130 HOURS
of donated time by Russell Cellular employees
6 HOUSES BUILT IN 2023
“I am in sales, and I help with operations of the store. We are a small store, and helping with operations has helped us focus more on the customers. Sometimes that means we do unusual things for our customers. In our area, we have a school for the deaf and the blind, so I learned sign language with an app. Now I can better help the clientele in our area.”
Michael Edes Springfield, MO “I am the Department Manager for our Customer Solutions Team. Historically, there’s been a lot of disconnect between my department and retail when it comes to priority check-ins. We actually launched a PCI inspection process in March. Since then, we’ve been getting a lot less emails from District Managers and Store Managers about complaints about the PCI they received. One of the biggest things I’m most proud of is aligning our performance with our Integrity Core Value as a company.
homes for families and individuals
Photo courtesy Habitat for Humanity of Springfield
RUSSELLCELLULAR.COM 5 RUSSELLCELLULAR.COM
LIFE / RC CARES
REBUILDING AFTER THE
FLAMES
J
Jared Gibney lost his home in a fire, but RC Cares was there to help. BY KAREN BLISS
ared Gibney, a former Store
Cares was there to help as they navi-
Manager in Arcade, New York,
gated what to do next. Jared’s District
received a phone call one after-
Manager, Marco Cartwright, was no-
noon from his fiance. The news was not
tified immediately of the situation, and
good; his house was on fire. “When I arrived home, the house was
he reached out to RC Cares for help. In about a week, RC Cares donated $6,000
engulfed in flames, and we sat there for
to Jared and his family.
about two hours and watched our house
“The company helped so much with-
burn,” he says.
out hesitation,” Marco says. “I was able
Jared says it was a draining expe-
to see behind the scenes that they gave
rience, and after talking with the Red
Jared everything we had available, and
Cross and the fire chief about the dam-
they did it quickly. Jared and I were both
age, their family was informed every-
amazed that the company went above
thing they owned was lost. “I still have
and beyond to ensure he and his family
post traumatic stress disorder from
had a place to stay.”
watching seven years of our lives be lost
Jared says it showed him how much
in one day,” he says. “Our two girls still
RC Cares really does care about the RC
talk about how they want to go home.”
team members and their families.
Although Jared’s family will never get back the home that they lost, RC
“We greatly appreciate the help and will always be grateful,” he says.
THE GIFT OF
LIFE
The RC Home Office exceeded donation goals at its bi-annual blood drive last spring. BY RAE SWAN SNOBL
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RC CONNECTIONS / WINTER
Photo courtesy Russell Cellular
RC CARES / LIFE
CALM DURING THE STORM When a fire destroyed this family's home, RC Cares helped cover emergency costs.
HEDGIE'S HEROES / LIFE
THE GOAL
THE EVENT
THE IMPACT
Last fall, RC Home Office held
On March 16, RC Home Office
CBCO provides 250 donations a day to local hospitals,
its first blood drive hosting 25
hosted 25 donors in its train-
and RC had a higher number than most donation sites.
donors for Community Blood
ing room. The team handed out
When their blood is used, RC donors will receive an email
Center of the Ozarks (CBCO)
snacks and offered positive sup-
letting hem know where their blood went. “Not everyone
and wanted to exceed that
port to donors while CBCO made
has a personal tie, but some of us do,” Ron Wallace says.
number with a spring drive.
sign-up easy with an online link. To
“One of the major reasons I wanted to get involved is my
The company loves raising
spread the word about the event,
grandson was diagnosed with leukemia in September
money for various charities,
RC promoted it via email and so-
2021 and had to have blood transfusions. We are literally
but it’s also looking for non-fi-
cial media. The company also paid
giving the gift of life.” RC Home office plans to continue
nancial ways that people can
employees for their time while they
to host two donation events per year in the fall and spring.
give back.
donated.
Photo courtesy Russell Cellular
RUSSELLCELLULAR.COM
7
LIFE / WEEK IN THE LIFE
A WEEK IN THE LIFE OF
NICOLE VALENTINE Nicole Valentine has been with Russell Cellular for 12 years and is the Director of Operations. When she started, she managed four team members. Now, it’s morphed into five teams with 16 members, an Assistant Manager and herself. When her teams are not focusing on projects like building remodels or acquisitions, they focus on daily tasks, and each team has a different expertise. Leasing The leasing team works with landlords, real estate contacts, and local chambers of commerce to find new locations for RC stores, and they oversee everything related to lease administration. Anytime Russell Cellular wants to add a new store to its roster, Leasing gets involved. Property Management The property team oversees new store build-outs and remodels. The biggest part of their day involves overseeing property maintenance issues for RC’s nearly 800 locations Merchandising The merchandising team ensures each store meets the standards of RC and Verizon. If there’s certain promotional branding or signage that needs to be on display or devices that should be in stock, this is the team in charge. Asset Protection This team oversees the company security policy and procedures, and investigates any theft and security incidents. Operations This group orders and oversees the office supplies for all stores, manages fleet vehicles, and keeps store data up to date.
THE FIRST THING WE ARE GOING TO DO IS SEE WHAT NEW CHALLENGES AWAIT US."
—Nicole Valentine
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RC CONNECTIONS / WINTER
Nicole says her teams differ from other departments in that their focus is not always proactive. “A lot of what we do is reactive,” she says. “We don’t know what every day will be like. The first thing we are going to do is see what new challenges await us.”
Photo by Ettie Berneking
MENTORSHIP MOMENT / LIFE
After Russell Cellular District Sales Manager Becki Gillaspia was hired in 2022, Cole Wriborg turned to her for guidance in managing his store in Thibodaux, Louisiana. Now that Cole is a District Sales Manager himself, he continues to value Becki’s mentoring as he oversees six stores. BY SUSAN ATTEBERRY SMITH
RC: What are some specific ways Becki helped you
Verizon—he was like an encyclopedia. But as far as
when you were still a Store Manager?
managing, I didn’t feel like he’d had much guidance
Cole: She definitely helped me learn how to
before. So I spent time showing him ways to manage
manage multiple teams, especially when we
somebody even when they’re not in the store with you.
were short-staffed in other locations. I was
A lot of it was teaching him how to hold his team ac-
managing two teams at the same time until we
countable even when he was in a different location. As
got them both staffed and everyone trained. It
a District Sales Manager, we can’t be in every store,
was a lot, and I relied on her guidance. It wasn’t
every day. One-on-ones work great. It keeps you
easy, but having her on my side made the tran-
communicating regularly and allows your team to ask
sition a lot smoother. I think it was all about
questions as needed, and you can check on progress
having a District Sales Manager that believed
to make sure they’re on task.
in my ability to lead.
WHEN GREAT MINDS
THINK ALIKE
RC: Have you found that serving as a mentor to Cole RC: Do you think you’ll be a mentor yourself
has helped you in your own job?
Cole: I definitely do. My philosophy is it’s my job
Becki: Definitely. When I first started here, I had no
to train my team so they can be ready to step up
experience with Russell Cellular or Verizon products. I
into their next role just as I intend to do as well.
was able to ask him a lot of questions about Verizon devices and promotions. We’ve made each other bet-
RC: As a mentor, what advice did you want to share
ter, honestly.
with Cole? Becki: He had everything down in regards to
SALES BY THE NUMBERS / LIFE
THE TIPS TO HIGH ACHIEVEMENT Dominique McIntyre, Store
Christopher Berry, Store
Jacob Johnson is the Store
Kris Fox, Store Manager
Manager of the Springfield
Manager of the Warrington,
Manager of Wildwood 1
in Akron, Ohio, started
2 store in Missouri, has led
Virginia, store, as of the
in Florida, and in just the
in February. By October,
her team to sign on 197
end of June, sold 553
first quarter of sales, they
he had sold 376 devices,
business accounts, which
devices, 301 of those were
sold 215 new lines, 127 of
119 of which were pull
is the most in her region,
new postpaid. His tip: Build
which were pull throughs.
throughs. Kris’ tip is to look
From accessory sales
by focusing on what busi-
good client relationships,
His tip is to make sure your
for opportunities to add
to device goals, these
ness customer features
so your team sees many
team members offer addi-
bundles with a new line
numbers are worth
her RC team can offer
return customers in addi-
tional lines with each new
and to add accessories,
celebrating.
new clients. Her tip: Keep
tion to new customers.
line they add, every time.
the customer will enjoy and
BY KAREN BLISS
asking questions.
Photo courtesy Becki Gillaspia
that will add benefit.
RUSSELLCELLULAR.COM 9 RUSSELLCELLULAR.COM
EMPLOYEE EXPERIENCE / ROUND TABLE
DEVELOPING LEADERS Khris Stillman shares his job responsibilities and how he develops leadership skills. BY JULIANA GOODWIN
As Area Vice President of Sales, Khris Stillman has many responsibilities, but he wears two main hats. Khris was with Verizon for 24 years in various roles from customer facing to Director of Indirect Sales for the Midwest. Through the years, he established a strong working relationship with Jeff Russell. “I have always had a great relationship with him and always loved Russell Cellular,” he says. “This company has a strong culture of caring about its team. That was a draw for me.” As it turned out, it was a big enough draw to pull Khris over to work directly for Russell Cellular. Khris joined the team in April 2021, and now oversees the Agent Partner Program. These are sub-agents that look and feel like Russell Cellular but are independently owned—similar to a franchise. They order all their inventory from RC and enjoy benefits such as support from the home office, fi-
LEADERSHIP ADVICE People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care. That’s why it’s important to let people know you care. Spend time in the field and talk to the front line. You get the best answers from the field because they are the ones facing customers. It’s a great place to learn. Take risks. “I’m a big Nick Saban fan, and he talks about how you can learn more from a failure than a victory. I agree. Do it responsibly, do it quick and move on,” Khris says. Attitude and curiosity are in your control. Leaders control their attitude and how curious they are about the business, how to drive results and what they can do.
nance team, IT department and more. There are 70 agent partner locations across the U.S. In addition, Khris is responsible for 180 stores with more than 500 team members in his area that he loves to refer to as “The Best Team in Wireless.” While his role has many responsibilities, his favorite is developing leaders. Of course, Khris spends a lot of time analyzing numbers and results and making calls, but developing leaders within the company is his passion. “I’m trying to drive leadership because that is how we get better,” Khris says. “To me that is the most important thing.”
10 RC CONNECTIONS / WINTER
Photo by Ettie Berneking
RUSSELLCELLULAR.COM
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12
RC CONNECTIONS / WINTER
STRAT COM / PLUGGED IN
THE STRATEGIES THAT WILL CHANGE THE GAME This personality assessment gives you insight into your communication style. BY ETTIE BERNEKING
Ever meet someone and immediately get a vibe? Maybe
ful. “Everyone is every color, and while we operate out of a
they are really organized and succinct. Maybe they are at-
primary color we also have a secondary color,” Kurt says.
tuned to others and their feelings. Maybe they are analyti-
“When you know the colors and tendencies, we get better
cal and ask a lot of ‘why’ questions. Maybe they are face-
at relating to one another.”
paced, high energy and need to keep moving. People just
Real Colors now represents the newest tool in Russell
seem to have a certain tendency, and when we pay atten-
Cellular’s leadership toolbox. If you cringe at personality
tion to the characteristics, the better we get to know them.
tests, you’re not alone. “I’ve always been very cautious of
The thing is, Russell Cellular is in the people business as
personality testing because I don’t like putting people in
much as it is in the sales business. The more the RC team
a box,” Kurt says. “Context dictates everything. It dictates
can get good at the people side, the sales side benefits.
how we respond and how we interact with others.”
So how does someone get good at that? Do personality
But when RC rolled out the Real Colors program, Kurt
tests work? They are good at providing insight, but that
saw something he hadn’t seen in other personality tests.
isn’t enough. The challenge is putting that understanding
“This is simple and practical,” he says. “There’s no trying
into action.
to figure out what an ENTP is or what a seven is. You only
Recently, Russell Cellular invested in a way to better un-
have to know four colors, and it’s more of a conversation
derstand one another by better understanding people’s ten-
starter than anything else.”
dencies. The program is called Real Colors. The intention
“The test helps each of us to become more aware. First
is to improve communication, interaction, and relationship
of ourselves, then of the others around us,” Kurt says. “If
skills. “We’ve tried different ways to understand connec-
they’re blue, they’re focused on making sure others have
tion with others. We know Myers Briggs, DISC, Strength
the tools to succeed. If they’re green, they might need to
Finders and Enneagram, but they’re complicated,” says
understand the why behind an ask before they can buy into
Kurt Reinhart, Vice President of Learning & Development.
it. If they’re gold, they might need to know what the plan is
Then Kym Russell provided a new approach. She and the
and have clear instructions from their leaders. If they’re or-
Russell family went through Real Colors to better under-
ange, they need the freedom to explore possibility and they
stand one another, and Kym realized the program could
like to make it fun.” There’s just one catch. “We don’t want
improve communication skills within the RC Family.
to get caught in the trap where you weaponize the colors,”
“We all know Kym is passionate about people, so she
Kurt says. “If someone is a blue, don’t say, “Oh, well you’re
used the test with her and Jeff first,” Kurt says. “Then she
acting like this because you’re a blue and that’s how blues
brought in Jeven and Layton and their spouses. She start-
operate. The goal isn’t simply identifying someone’s color
ed with her family, and then brought it to the RC Family.” It
and how they communicate. It’s about understanding what
began in small doses; Home Office leadership, and then
that color needs and learning how to meet those needs.”
Home Office Team Members. Now, all DSMs have been in-
When RC leaders walk away from Real Colors with a little
troduced to Real Colors. The goal is to have the experience
more awareness of how they communicate and how their
teach leaders how to be more aware of two things: How do
teams communicate, that’s a win for Kurt. “Even if our team
they understand themselves and the needs of others, and
pays a little more attention to the tendencies and needs of
then how to leverage that understanding to be success-
the people around them, then we get better.”
Photo courtesy Russell Cellular
RUSSELLCELLULAR.COM 13
EMPLOYEE EXPERIENCE / ACCOMPLISHED
MEET THE
LINDSAY THOMAS
TEAM
Years With RC: 9 Years
A few RC veterans dish about what it is that keeps
afraid to be myself when I am around them. I
them invested in the RC family.
have leadership that cares about how I am doing
BY KAREN BLISS
and also trusts that I am able to do any task that
“I am an Operations Specialist, and I oversee company vehicles, handle office supplies, and set up utilities for all stores. I love my team. We have a great working environment, and I’m not
they give me.”
SETH MCCOO
MIKAYLA STORMHAVEN
Years With RC: 9 Years
Years With RC: 6.5 Years
“I worked with another agent
“I’ve had several positions
before RC acquired the Norton,
in the IT department from IT
Virginia, location, and I am an
Helpdesk to my current job,
Assistant Store Manager now.
which is IT Security Assistant
Working for RC has felt like
Manager. RC is different from
home over the past few years,
other companies I’ve worked
and I really can’t see myself any-
for because it offers flexibility.
where else. Taking care of my
It also has a great workplace
customers, whether it is fixing a
culture, and I get a lot of new
problem or finding them the de-
opportunities I might not get
vice or accessories that meet their wants and needs, makes me feel
elsewhere. For instance, I’m
good. It’s funny; I have been in this store for so long that customers
going to school right now, and
will say I came with the walls and fixtures of this store. Working for RC
I can adjust my hours at work
has helped me grow as a person as well. I have better communication
to accommodate that schedule, which is awesome. Also, If I have a
skills and a drive to reach for targets and goals in work and in life.”
family emergency, I know my manager will have my back.”
STORIES OF SUCCESS / LIFE
HOW I BECAME AN ASSISTANT MANAGER Ricky Tompkins shares how he
get to 100. My Store Manager,
learn to praise the team in public
sales goals every month, and in
went from a Sales Associate to
Evan Weisert, took notice and
and counsel in private.
June, I finally hit 100 boxes for
the Assistant Manager in just 10
asked me to work toward be-
During my downtime, I worked
months. AS TOLD TO RAE SWAN SNOBL
coming Assistant Store Manager.
hard to learn the organizational
We are a tight-knit group and
I realized I had been do-
side from how to order money to
know we can count on each
the first time.
ing what a manager does all
training and coaching. I balance
other when it’s time to recognize
When I started at the Sioux Falls
along—motivating others. When
both my sales role and the role
success or cheer each other
2 store in Dawley, South Dakota,
we would have a down week, I
of Assistant Store Manager now.
on when we need to hit a goal.
I started hot and learned quick-
would rally and encourage the
I focus on how to be a better
That’s what makes the biggest
ly. I sold 64 boxes in my first two
team. My past military experi-
customer service rep through
difference in our store’s ability to
weeks and motivated myself to
ence helped me be a leader and
role play, and it works. We hit our
succeed.
14 RC CONNECTIONS / WINTER
Photos courtesy Russell Cellular
TK Photo courtesy Russell Cellular
RUSSELLCELLULAR.COM 15
16 RC CONNECTIONS / WINTER
When Russell Cellular sent team members out to volunteer on their first Habitat For Humanity home, the company couldn’t have imagined the partnership would grow this much. PHOTOGRAPHY & STORY BY ETTIE BERNEKING
RUSSELLCELLULAR.COM 17
I love that people don’t know how to do soffit, but our guys show them how and then they step back and let the volunteers do it, which is incredible. It builds community around the house, and blood, sweat and tears go into each build.— Michael Britain, Habitat for Humanity
18 RC CONNECTIONS / WINTER
To understand how Russell Cellular first started building homes with Habitat For Humanity, you have to track down Kevin Ropell. As Regional Director of Sales, Kevin Ropell has hopped around the country. He’s worked in Tennessee, California and now Missouri, and one thing has stayed the same—he always makes a point of connecting with Habitat for Humanity. “I love this organization,” he says. “It's mission of helping others fits into RC's mission.” The first habitat build took place in 2018 out in Cleveland, Tennessee. Habitat For Humanity of Cleveland got word that Russell Cellular team members in the area were looking for ways to get involved in the community. Habitat For Humanity Executive Director Tammy Johnson actually headed to an RC store to meet the team and see if they were interested in joining in on a build. Not only did team members help build a home, they raised more than $10,000 for the project. According to Habitat for Humanity at the time of print, most builds require around $75,000 to complete,
RUSSELLCELLULAR.COM 19
which means RC’s single donation went a long
That first build inspired countless other Russell
way. It also put down roots between RC and
Cellular teams in places like Missouri, Mississippi,
Habitat for Humanity.
California, Tennessee, Illinois and North Carolina
Since that first build in 2018, Russell Cellular
to do their own local builds. Part of why RC
has participated in eight builds for Habitat For
teams have eagerly engaged with Habitat For
Humanity. RC team members have been in-
Humanity builds is the accessibility. “Anyone
volved with so many Habitat builds that there’s
can get involved, and it’s so simple,” says Ron
practically a playbook on how to take part and
Wallace, Director of RC Cares. “You just reach
fundraise for the organization. “I can’t believe
out and say you have a team that wants to help,
how much this has taken off,” Kevin says. "It's
and it’s great team building.
been inspiring to see how many stores have taken part in a build."
20 RC CONNECTIONS / WINTER
CONTINUED ON PG 23
RUSSELLCELLULAR.COM 21
It’s a great opportunity to do something good for the area that’s not sales related.” —Eric Gonzalez, Verizon
BY THE NUMBERS
9
Homes the RC teams helped build with Habitat
660
The number of hours rc team members have dedicated to builds.
$41,298
The amount of money RC has donated to Habitat For Humanity
8
States where RC has helped build a home.
22 RC CONNECTIONS / WINTER
The First Build
CONTINUED FROM PG 20
“Our team works so hard in the field all the
into a thriving partnership five years later, but
way from Regional Directors of Sales to our
when asked if he’s surprised, he says no. “I
Wireless Specialists,” Ron says. "So you
really believe in the power of giving back,” he
get them out of that element, and I think it’s
says. “It’s such a rewarding experience, and
refreshing. We’ve also had several Verizon
so much of the culture at Russell Cellular is
leaders join our builds, and it’s been a great
about giving back. This partnership makes
way to build relationships with these folks.”
perfect sense to me. Our team members are
Kevin couldn’t have known that his first
out here serving others, and there’s not much
build with Habitat For Humanity would turn
better than that.”
RUSSELLCELLULAR.COM 23
Russell Cellular didn’t hit the 30 year mark due to luck. The company has a solid company culture and serious focus on customer service to thank for 30 strong years in the business. BY ETTIE BERNEKING /// PHOTOS BY TESSA COOPER & COURTESY RUSSELL CELLULAR
24 RC CONNECTIONS / WINTER
RUSSELLCELLULAR.COM 25
CELEBRATING THE WINS Russell Cellular brings leaders together at Summit to celebrate successes and talk about upcoming goals.
GUESS WHO TURNS 30 THIS YEAR?
Russell Cellular celebrates 30 strong years in the wireless industry this year, and there’s a lot to celebrate. There are new stores to cheer on, new team members to welcome, anniversaries to acknowledge and a lot of growth in the future to be excited about. But before we dive into all the reasons Russell Cellular is excited to ring in the big 3-0, let’s take a look back at how Russell Cellular got its start.
26 RC CONNECTIONS / WINTER
HANDS-ON LEARNING In-person leadership training is a big part of how Russell Cellular maintains the core of its culture.
CELEBRATIONS Russell Cellular believes in celebrating success together and sharing big wins.
COMMUNICATION IS KING Training leaders on different communication styles is part of why RC has grown so much in 30 years.
RUSSELLCELLULAR.COM 27
The Heart of Russell Cellular The RC Employee Emergency Fund gave out $60,815 last year to RC team members in need. Speaking of supporting the RC family, RC team members donated $50,918.16 last year to the EEF. Russell Cellular team members have hosted 1663 number of RC Cares events. Since 2018, Home Office has raised and given away $81,073.91 to projects and organizations in the Springfield community. At the height of COVID-19, Russell Cellular donated $25,000 to provide lunches to first responders across the country.
28 RC CONNECTIONS / WINTER
Since 1997, RC has donated more than $60,000 to Great Circle, which provides behavioral health services to children and families. To get an idea of the impact of a single RC Cares event, consider this, one toy drive helped more than 800 families surprise their kids with Christmas presents. During this toy drive, seven RC districts raised more than $11,000 for the event. On average, when an RC team member applies for EEF assistance, their request is approved within 24–48 hours. The program knows that when someone needs help, they don’t have time to wait.
Applicants to the EEF can receive up to $500 per occurrence. The program was used 127 times in 2022 alone.
Russell Cellular has donated more than 145,000 accessories and devices to the non-profit Cell Phones for Soldiers. The organization uses profits raised from re-selling the devices to purchase pre-paid international calling cards troops can use to talk to loved ones while they’re away from home. The total of these donations to date is $1,802,389.76.
IN THE BEGINNING Most tenured RC team members can tell you about the Alltel Wireless days when Jeff Russell was selling bag phones out of the trunk of his car. It was a new age of wireless technology, and Jeff was just starting to dabble in it. With Kym Russell by his side, their car-side operation grew. A few years later, the two entrepreneurs were ready to hire their first employee. It didn’t take long before Jeff and Kym moved out of the car and into a store (or two). Just like that, Russell Cellular was off and running. By 1998, the Russell’s focus on customer service had paid off, and Jeff won the Small Business Association Young Entrepreneur of the Year award for the Kansas City District. Around that same time, Russell Cellular grew from 15 stores to 40. “We were consistently growing,” Jeff says. “I credit a lot of that success to our focus on our company culture and on customer service. We didn’t have a wildly unique product, but we did start with a very intentional focus on the customer. We knew if we could provide truly exceptional customer service, we would have repeat customers and great word of mouth.” That approach worked. By 2008, Russell Cellular had more than 100 stores, and soon Alltel Wireless merged with Verizon. Suddenly, Russell Cellular had an even broader reach nationwide. By focusing on smaller communities where RC sales associates could get to know their customer base and plug into the community, Russell Cellular kept on growing. Russell Cellular celebrates 30 years in business December 3, 2023, and operates 720 RC owned stores plus 60+ Agent Partner locations. RC is more than 2,700 team members strong and does business in 43 states. Looking at the number of stores only shows
GATHERING THE RUSSELL CELLULAR FAMILY Each year, Russell Cellular brings leaders together to attend Summit. The event is a time to highlight scoreboard leaders, talk about upcoming goals and strategies and review how the company is doing and how it has grown.
you a small part of Russell Cellular’s success. To understand the full picture, you have to look at the company’s culture.
.
Since officially launching RC Cares in 2018, Russell Cellular has donated $1 million.
RUSSELLCELLULAR.COM 29
CHEERS TO RC CARES In less than five years, RC Cares has become an integral part of Russell Cellular’s company culture. It has raised $1 million and helped thousands of people.
BY JULIANA GOODWIN
30 RC CONNECTIONS / WINTER
PHOTOS COURTESY RUSSELL CELLULAR
I
n less than five years, RC Cares has reached an incredible milestone: the program has raised more than $1 million to benefit communities across the country. While it began with a goal that Ron Wallace, Director of RC Cares, set in 2018, it was the result
of hundreds, maybe even thousands, of people coming together. “To be able to do it in less than five years is a testament to the heart of this company,” Ron says. RC Cares got started back in 2018 when Ron was hired to launch the philanthropic effort. “The concept was and still is to give back and make a difference in people’s lives,” Ron says. “This is what Jeff and Kym have always done. It’s their heart. They laid this foundation.” While the Russell’s have always been generous, RC Cares became the structured fundraising arm of the business. The $1 million has gone a long way to help those in need around the country, but it also includes donations to Russell Cellular’s Employee Emergency Fund, which helps RC team members when times get tough. One reason RC Cares has been so successful is it allows RC team members to donate to a cause that matters most to them. When someone sees a need in their community, they can create a fundraising project and address that specific need. As Ron says, this gives the RC team ownership and an opportunity to drill down and meet needs unique to their communities. Five years since launching, RC Cares is now a key part of Russell Cellular’s culture, and RC associates across the country have rallied around it. As Russell Cellular has expanded into new territories, so has RC Cares. “It’s our culture,” Ron says. “It’s who we are.”
These are the top 5 projects that have raised the most money
#1
$30,808.90 raised for Jensen Lee Wallace. Jensen was diagnosed with Leukemia in September of 2021 and went to St. Jude for treatment (he is still taking treatments today and will continue till the summer of 2024). This was a companywide project.
#2 $27,000 raised for Baby Korra. This project was organized by Regional Director Kevin Ropell and supported by all of Russell Cellular to support Baby Korra and her family after she received critical injuries from an assault.
#3
$25,882.61 raised for Sharlette Robinson. This project was organized by Regional Director Kevin Ropell and his team to help Sharlette receive lifesaving heart surgery.
#4 $13,000.00 raised for Toni Peine. Toni worked for RC’s Employee Services team for more
Steps to Host Your Own RC Cares Project • •
Identify a need. Submit the project by completing the RC Cares Outreach Request form in Go Canvas.
•
•
Work it! Sell the products, ask customers to donate, make sure you tell everyone about the effort and its mission. Projects typically last 30
If approved, RC Cares will design
days. When your project is
flyers for your project and create
closed out, RC will send you
a donation SKU.
your totals and a check. It’s
than three years when she developed cancer. The Home Office team led this project to raise money to help support her during her treatments. Money was also used to help pay for her funeral after Toni passed away last fall.
#5 $11,204.75 raised to support Toys for
Tots project in Cookeville, Tennessee.
This project provided Christmas gifts for 876 families, which included 2,214 kids. The project was hosted by Regional Director John Kilgore and his team.
that easy!
RUSSELLCELLULAR.COM 31
LAST WORD / LIFE OUTSIDE
ALWAYS ON THE
MOVE
At home, it’s sports. At work it’s RC Cares.
Between her four sons and a bucketful of
ball, basketball, football or band events.
baseballs in case there’s a batting cage,
Summers find them swimming, tubing or
there’s plenty to fill Nykole Castro’s Dodge
skiing at the lake.
Durango—and her life—outside of work.
When she isn’t being a sports mom,
“We’re kind of all just in and out, in and
Nykole loves to help others through RC
out, all the time,” the 34-year-old District
Cares initiatives. In recent years, her district
This District Sales Manager is always up to
Sales Manager from Monahans, Texas,
has held coat drives, paid for school lunch-
something.
says of her family. Nykole began her Russell
es, fed first responders during an ice storm
BY SUSAN ATTEBERRY SMITH
Cellular career 10 years ago as a Wireless
and raised money to help a boy with leuke-
Specialist, not long after her second child,
mia. She’s proud that her team has a “big
Noah, was born. Nykole's son Zachary
heart” for such efforts.
is 15, Noah is now 10, and her stepsons Jordan and Jayden Orr are 15 and 17. Add partner Cody Orr to the mix, and
Between the full life at home and at work, Nykole’s plate is very full, which is exactly how she likes it.
Nykole’s family is on its way to base-
32 RC CONNECTIONS / WINTER
Photos courtesy Russell Cellular
Cares
July 2022 - June 2023 Recognition Top 50 Stores - Donations
Top 50 Stores - Products
#1 ENGLEWOOD-FL $4,351
#1 SPRINGDALE-AR 98
LAFAYETTE-TN $3,101
CLARKSVILLE-AR $439
EPHRAIM-UT $1,617
FAYETTEVILLE-TN $430
COOKEVILLE-TN $1,251
BAY MINETTE-AL $426
POTEAU 2-OK $1,217
LANSING-KS $401
FREEPORT-IL $1,162
CLAREMORE-OK $384
FRESNO 2-CA $861
DRESDEN-TN $374
SWEETWATER-TN $845
YADKINVILLE-NC $371
MONTICELLO-AR $843
BATESVILLE-AR $360
GRUNDY-VA $756
SUGAR MOUNTAIN-NC $360
SANGER-CA $749
VALDOSTA-GA $337
SPRINGDALE-AR $730
KANSAS CITY 1-MO $333
STURGIS-SD $639
BERRYVILLE-AR $325
WINDSOR-CO $630
NEW TAZEWELL-TN $318
PAOLA-KS $603
TULARE-CA $301
CLEVELAND 1-TN $578
LEMOORE-CA $271
SMITHVILLE-TN $574
KERMAN-CA $267
ANGELS CAMP-CA $558
PARAGOULD-AR $265
LIVINGSTON-TN $547
PRICE-UT $261
GROVE-OK $543
JOHNSON CITY-TN $252
KANSAS CITY 2-MO $527
FT MORGAN-CO $245
DELTA-UT $495
CLEBURNE-TX $229
KINGSBURG-CA $492
BLANDING-UT $228
JAMESTOWN-TN $477
MORGAN CITY-LA $226
HANFORD-CA $476
NEW ORLEANS-LA $211
MILAN-TN $464
FRESNO 2-CA 96
GROVE-OK 36
STURGIS-SD 30
ANGELS CAMP-CA 56
WARROAD-MN 35
BOONEVILLE-AR 28
KINGSBURG-CA 56
ADRIAN-MI 34
FALLON-NV 28
BERRYVILLE-AR 54
CLARKSVILLE-AR 34
WINDSOR-CO 28
POTEAU 2-OK 54
HAWKINSVILLE-GA 34
WINNEMUCCA 1-NV 28
LAFAYETTE-TN 53
KEOKUK-IA 34
AVA-MO 27
SOUTHINGTON-CT 53
PAOLA-KS 33
GRUNDY-VA 27
DOUGLAS-GA 48
STILWELL-OK 33
NEOSHO-MO 27
OAKHURST-CA 47
BISHOP-CA 31
NICEVILLE-FL 27
JACKSON-CA 43
TULARE-CA 31
HANFORD-CA 26
MONETT-MO 43
CLEBURNE-TX 30
MILL HALL-PA 26
CORTEZ 2-CO 41
ELKO-NV 30
GRANTS-NM 25
TAHLEQUAH-OK 40
OZARK-AR 30
INDEPENDENCE-KS 25
GALLUP 1-NM 38
RAPID CITY-SD 30
NORTON-VA 25
PRICE-UT 38
ROCK SPRINGS-WY 30
RICHFIELD-UT 25
SANGER-CA 37
SALLISAW-OK 30
SUGAR GROVE-IL 25
BROKEN ARROW-OK 36
SALMON-ID 30
HOME OFFICE CONTRIBUTIONS
RC CARES PRODUCTS SOLD
$13,180.70
7,585
Cares
July 2022 - June 2023 Recognition TOP OVERALL DSM
TOP OVERALL TM
TOP OVERALL RD
Cody Griffin
Miranda Weese
Kevin Ropell
TOP TEAM MEMBER - PRODUCTS
TOP TEAM MEMBER - DONATIONS
Zinthia Leon Springdale, AR 52
Miranda Weese Roark Englewood-FL $2,061 Alexei Sumskoy Englewood, FL $1,258
Jody Contreras Poteau 2, OK $845
Manuel Aguero Englewood, FL $559
Cari Romero Fresno 2, CA 26
Alyssa Anders Sturgis, SD 22
Alexis Billings Independence, KS 20
Kelly Vargas Rochelle, IL $1,118
Ariel Kelley Windsor, CO $655
Zinthia Leon Springdale, AR $534
Benjamin Burnham Eastman, GA 25
Kory Eaton Berryville, AR 22
Ariel Kelley Windsor, CO 20
Brigitte Lobley Ephraim, UT $1,070
Franklin Harris Sweetwater, TN $627
Shana Turner Cookeville, TN $500
Brandy Tischofer Southington, CT 25
Colby Troutman Grove, OK 21
Shanen Croft Jasper, TN 20
TOP DISTRICT SALES MANAGER - DONATIONS
TOP DISTRICT SALES MANAGER - PRODUCTS
Cody Griffin $6,388
Audri Ediger 294
Brian Mastin $5,214
Monica Turner $2,611
Michael Sentell $1,985
Audri Ediger $3,213
Misty Cannon $2,497
Jennifer Loghry $1,945
Holly Quinn $2,834
Jason Foster $2,394
Madison Wilson $1,508
TOP REGIONAL DIRECTOR - DONATIONS
John Kilgore $13,832
Kevin Ropell $9,538 Brad Loertscher $6,623
Jennifer Loghry 288 Misty Cannon 249 Simon Vallejo 196
Henry Rossetti 160 Justin Padilla 144 Ariel Westad 134
Timothy Small 131 Michael Sentell 126 Holly Fain 126
TOP REGIONAL DIRECTOR - PRODUCTS
Kevin Ropell 1,331
Brad Loertscher 779 John Kilgore 681
RC CARES COMPANY-WIDE TOTAL CONTRIBUTIONS TOTAL RAISED
$5,552
RC Cares Special Projects
$69,890
RC Cares Products
$59,442
RC Cares Donations
$50,918
TOTAL INVESTED
220
Outreach Projects
$39,487
Russell Cellular Contributions
$60,815
Employee Emergency Fund Support
$103,954
Employee Emergency Fund Donations
Cell Phones for Soldiers
$185,802
$347,790.30
Grand Total Raised
Grand Total Invested
A SINCERE THANK YOU TO THE RC FAMILY FOR COMPLETING 220 OUTREACH PROJECTS