Honoring Legacies: The Stories Behind Russo's Growing Family

At Russo, growth isn't just about expanding our footprint—it's about honoring the legacies of family-owned businesses that have served their communities for decades. Since celebrating our 50th anniversary in 2020 with the slogan "Celebrating 50 Years of Business & The Next 50," we've been on a journey of strategic expansion, welcoming trusted dealerships into the Russo family across the Midwest.

Each acquisition represents more than a business transaction—it represents the trust that founders placed in Russo to continue the work they started, to care for the customers they served, and to support the teams they built. Here are the stories of the family businesses that have joined Russo, and the legacies we're honored to carry forward.

The Foundation: Early Midwest Expansion (2022-2023)

Porter's Lawn & Power Equipment: A Janesville Tradition Since 1951

Our expansion beyond the Chicagoland area began in 2022 with Porter's Lawn & Power Equipment in Janesville, Wisconsin. Founded in 1951, Porter's has been a family-owned staple in the community for over seven decades. Jim Porter, who took over from his father, along with his wife Sandy, built the business into the loyal, community-based dealership it is today. Specializing in Toro branded equipment for both residential customers and landscape contractors, Porter's earned a reputation for treating every customer like family. That tradition continues today as part of the Russo network.

C&C Distributors: Quarter-Century of Fort Wayne Excellence

In 2022, we also welcomed C&C Distributors into the Russo family. Ken and Donna Edholm operated C&C Distributors for more than 25 years, building a well-respected parts distribution business and full-service dealership with locations in Fort Wayne and South Bend, Indiana. Founded in 1957, C&C always strived to be the best at getting customers everything they needed for their outdoor equipment, operating under the motto: "If we can't get it, we'll help you find it." Their commitment to customer service and talented, energetic team made them a natural fit with Russo's values.

Haltom Equipment: Three Generations of Mooresville Service

Also in 2022, Haltom Equipment in Mooresville, Indiana joined the Russo family. Founded in 1979 by the Haltom family, this dealership has provided quality lawn and garden equipment, parts, and service for over four decades. In 1996, Scott and Laura Benko took over the location, which was already well-known in south-central Indiana. Along with their son Aaron, they evolved the business to better serve customers' changing needs, shifting from a single-brand dealer to a multi-brand dealership in 2010. Aaron Benko and the Haltom team continue to be an integral part of the company, maintaining their pride in providing Midwestern hospitality along with business solutions. 

Mutton Power Equipment: Fort Wayne's Landscape Industry Legacy

In 2023, we acquired Mutton Power Equipment, completing a strategic consolidation in Fort Wayne. Since the 1940s, the Mutton family has been an integral part of the landscape industry, opening their true dealership in 1976. When Jim Mutton sold his family's dealership on Illinois Road to Russo, it marked both an ending and a new beginning. The Fort Wayne location now serves as our flagship Indiana facility, bringing together the combined teams from C&C Fort Wayne and Mutton under one roof at 5612 Illinois Road. The same familiar staff continues to greet customers and offer quality lawn equipment to professional landscapers and landowners alike—now with the enhanced resources of the Russo network.

Iowa: Building a Strong Eastern Iowa Presence (2025)

Midway Outdoor Equipment: Where It All Began in Iowa

Our Iowa journey began in June 2025 with Midway Outdoor Equipment in Hiawatha—our first Russo Outdoor Power Plus location in the state. Founded in 1958 as Midway Farmers Market by the Schutzman family, the business began as a neighborhood hub for groceries, gasoline, and small engine repair. Over the decades, it evolved into Midway Outdoor Equipment, serving both homeowners and professionals across the Cedar Rapids region for more than 65 years. Operated through three generations by the Schutzman family, Midway earned a loyal following through hard work, honesty, and relationships built one customer at a time. "Midway represented the best of Midwest business—family-run, hardworking, and trusted," said Michael Kolowski of Russo Power Equipment.

AE Outdoor Power: Built from the Ground Up

Later in 2025, we integrated two AE Outdoor Power locations in Iowa. Founded by Wyatt and Liz Jans, AE was built from hands-on experience in commercial mowing. Starting in the field themselves, they grew AE into a trusted equipment and service provider across Iowa—earning respect through hard work and entrepreneurial spirit. AE's Hiawatha location merged into our existing Russo branch at 1215 N Center Point Road, creating a stronger operation to serve the Cedar Rapids market. AE's Davenport location at 5401 N Brady Street now operates as Russo Outdoor Power Plus, expanding our reach into the Quad Cities. Wyatt and Liz Jans continue to operate AE Outdoor Power independently, focusing their efforts on serving and growing the greater Des Moines market.

QC Power Equipment: Honoring the Cutforth Legacy

In November 2025, QC Power Equipment joined our Davenport branch. For 15 years, Vicki and Steve Cutforth owned and operated QC Power Equipment, building a reputation for friendly staff and unwavering commitment to customer needs. The Cutforths brought 47 years of combined industry experience from their roots at Tri-State Turf & Irrigation, establishing QC Power as a trusted Toro dealer where personalized service was always the priority. "Vicki and Steve built QC Power Equipment on the same values that guide us—hard work, integrity, and putting people first," said Kolowski. As they enjoy their well-earned retirement, their legacy lives on through the dedicated team serving the Quad Cities at our Brady Street location.

Northwest Indiana: Six Decades of Service Continues (2025)

Burke's Outdoor Equipment: Valparaiso's 62-Year Legacy

In September 2025, Russo expanded into Northwest Indiana with Burke's Outdoor Equipment in Valparaiso. Burke's has been a trusted name in the region since 1963, starting out of a garage and growing into a household name for outdoor power equipment. For over six decades, Burke's built a reputation providing high-quality products from brands like Ariens, Gravely, Toro, Echo, and Billy Goat. Dave and Nadine Brown purchased Burke's in 2020 and led the dealership through modernization and growth, investing in a state-of-the-art 22,000+ square-foot facility. "Burke's has served Northwest Indiana with excellence for over 60 years, and Dave and Nadine's recent investments have positioned this location as a vibrant, modern operation," said Kolowski. The location now operates as Russo Outdoor Power Plus at 745 W US Highway 30.

Gruel Brothers Inc.: 87 Years of Crown Point Heritage

One of Northwest Indiana's oldest outdoor power equipment dealers joined Russo in December 2025. Established in 1938, Gruel Brothers Inc. has deep roots in the Aynesworth/Deep River area—just a few miles from where the legacy continues today at our Valparaiso location. The Foreman family's connection spans generations, beginning when the late Delmer (John) C. Foreman worked on the Gruel Dairy Farm in Aynesworth and continued with the Gruels after his US Navy service during World War II, spending his entire career at Gruel Brothers where he had partners along the way and raised 15 children selling Allis Chalmers Tractors, Gleaner Combines, and other implements. His son, the late Thomas (Tom) J. Foreman, also dedicated his career to GBI and proudly served in the US Navy during the Vietnam War. John and Audra Foreman continued this family tradition with partners Tom and Vicky Stinar, upholding the values of integrity and customer service that defined GBI for generations, alongside previous owners and various families who held shares over the years. In their message to customers, the Foremans expressed gratitude for "the loyalty and trust over the decades" and confidence that "the legacy of service you've come to expect will continue." The Crown Point location closed on December 1, 2025, with operations relocating to our Valparaiso facility at 745 W US Highway 30, where the familiar GBI team now serves customers with generations of expertise and the same commitment to service—now backed by Russo's expanded resources.

What These Stories Mean to Us

From Gruel Brothers' 87 years in Crown Point to Porter's 74-year legacy in Janesville, from Burke's 62 years in Valparaiso to the Schutzman family's three generations at Midway, from the Cutforths' 15 years building QC Power to Wyatt and Liz Jans starting AE from the ground up—each of these businesses represents decades of dedication, hard work, and genuine care for their communities.

These aren't just acquisitions—they're continuations of legacies built by families like the Foremans, the Browns, the Cutforths, the Jans, the Schutzman family, the Porters, the Benkos, and the Edholms. Each made the decision to entrust Russo with carrying forward the work they started, the customers they served, and the teams they built.

We're honored to carry forward these legacies, and we're committed to maintaining the values that made each of these businesses special: hard work, integrity, personalized service, and genuine care for every customer who walks through our doors.

To the founders who chose to entrust their life's work to Russo—thank you. To the teams who continue to serve with the same dedication—we're proud to work alongside you. And to the customers who've shown loyalty to these businesses over the years—we look forward to earning your trust every single day.

As we continue to grow, we remain guided by our motto: "People Power Us." Every acquisition strengthens our ability to serve professionals and landowners across the Midwest with the tools, knowledge, and support they need to succeed—while honoring the hometown values that built these businesses in the first place.

Ready to experience the Russo difference? Visit any of our 12 Midwest locations to meet our teams and discover how we're honoring the legacies of the businesses you've trusted for years, now with expanded inventory, enhanced support, and the same personalized service you deserve.

Find your nearest Russo Outdoor Power Plus location at www.russopower.com/locations