William Edward “Teddy” Russell II earned a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Georgia’s Terry College in December 1998 and holds a Georgia Pesticide License in Ornamental & Turf. His professional journey began with Wallace Computer, Inc., where he worked in business development for several years before returning to the family business. Over the past 22 years, he has established himself as a leader in the landscape industry as CEO of Russell Landscape Group, Inc. Teddy also has a real estate entity and is a partner in a mulch colorant company.
A committed community advocate, Teddy serves on numerous boards, including the Atlanta Transit Link Authority (appointed by the GA Lt Governor), the National Association of Landscape Professionals, and the University System of Georgia Foundation, where he previously chaired the board. His board involvement extends to the Gwinnett Boys & Girls Club, the Georgia Chamber of Commerce, several county Chamber of Commerce’s, Council for Quality Growth, the Community Association Institute. Teddy joined Capital City Club in 2010 and is also a member at High Hampton and River Club golf clubs. He is also a member of the Young Presidents Organization (YPO). Teddy’s contributions to the landscape industry and community have been recognized through various accolades, including the University of Georgia’s Top 40 Under 40 businessmen, being listed as one of the Top 25 largest Commercial Landscape Contractors and the 2024 Deal of the Year by the Atlanta Business Chronicle.
Teddy is married to Courtney Mack Russell, and together they have three children: William Edward Russell III (20), Lucille LaRose Russell (19), and Robert Mack Russell (15). In his personal time, Teddy enjoys fly fishing, golf, skiing and participating in anything with his three children. Teddy and his family attend and have been members of Peachtree Presbyterian Church.
He is a past board chairman for the Georgia homeowner and condominium real estate association group, Community Association Institute (CAI), where he was also honored with CAI’s Rising Star Award and the Rita Kennedy Distinguished Service Award.
Teddy was one of the youngest executive board members for any metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce and served as the 2012 Chairman of the Greater North Fulton Chamber. From 2008 to 2010, he chaired the North Fulton Water Committee. In 2012, he also led Georgia’s state landscape green industry association, The Urban Agriculture Council, and served on the Georgia Turfgrass Association Board from 2008–2010.
In 2011, he was named to the University of Georgia’s inaugural “Top 40 Under 40” alumni class. In 2010, Georgia Trend magazine recognized him as one of Agribusiness’s Top Movers and Shakers. That same year, his business was honored as one of Georgia’s Top 100 Fastest-Growing Businesses by UGA. In 2008, he was a top-three finalist for Chamber Small Business Person of the Year in both Gwinnett and North Fulton counties. In 2011, he won the Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce’s Small Business of the Year Award (companies with over 100 employees). He has also appeared multiple times in Gwinnett Magazine’s “People to Know” edition.
He is a member of the Council for Quality Growth, Building Owners and Managers Association, U.S. Green Building Council, and several regional chambers of commerce, including Gwinnett, North Fulton, and Cobb. He and his family are also active members of Peachtree Presbyterian Church.
Teddy lives in Atlanta with his wife Courtney and their three children.
Chief Executive Officer