In 1948 the electrical installation department of K & K Hardware was purchased by John Russell and renamed Russell Electric.  Jack Schneckloth bought the company from the Russell family in 1984.  Upon Jack's retirement in 2003, the Company was bought by the present owner, Jeffrey Lanum, who is a third generation electrician beginning his career in 1983.  The Russell Electric company offers electrical-wiring services to commercial and industrial customers.  In 2009, Russell Electric acquired Muscatine Electric to continue the impressive growth of the Russell Companies.

In 2005 Russell Companies expanded and acquired CommSpec, a Moline communications company and renamed Russell Communications and moved to the Bettendorf location.  This acquisition expanded the Russell Company services by adding communications, cabling, telephone, camera security and keypad systems.

The Electric Doctor® business was started in 2007 and is based on creating the most recognized brand in residential & business electrical service industry by providing customers with unquestionably the best service, quality, experience, value and guarantee.  Initially launched in the Quad City Metropolitan Region, the Electric Doctor brand is expanding throughout Eastern Iowa and Western Illinois. In 2009, the Electric Doctor began serving customers in Clinton, Muscatine and Iowa City, Iowa.

Russell Companies also offers the #1 selling home and business generator in the industry.  Generac Generators and Russell Companies have partnered to provide top of the line installation and servicing.