VIDEO: Celadon’s Will Fondly Remembers Russell’s Life, Push to Improve Driver Health
Paul Will, chairman and CEO of Celadon Group, spoke with Transport Topics about the lasting impact company founder Stephen Russell has had on the company.
RussellRussell, founder of the Indianapolis-based truckload carrier, passed away April 15 at the age of 76.
“Every birthday after the age of 42 was kind of a blessing from his standpoint,” Will said, noting that both of Russell’s parents passed away when Russell was young.
That vigor for life carried over to Russell’s company and the trucking industry.
“He was a very passionate individual. One that really engaged the employee,” Will said.
Will added: “He loved all employees, but really had a passion for the drivers and the health of the drivers and things that could make a driver's life better.”
MORE FROM PAUL WILL: LiveOnWeb on Driver Health, Wellness From A to Zzzzz — May 18, noon EDT
2014 FEATURES ON RUSSELL, CELADON: Photo gallery | Art passion | Education supporter
Russell had long been a proponent of the need to improve driver health. He spoke about it at American Trucking Associations’ annual conference in 2011. That was one year before driver health and wellness appeared on American Transportation Research Institute’s survey of top industry concerns for the first time.
In 2015, health and wellness placed No. 7, higher than it ever had before.
Celadon ranks No. 42 on the Transport Topics Top 100 listing of the largest for-hire carriers in the United States and Canada.
