Rick Rodell is the founder and Chairman of Cornerstone Systems, a position he has held since October 2002. With a career spanning decades in the transportation industry, Rodell began his journey at Illinois Central Gulf Railroad in Chicago, holding various sales and management roles.

In 1977, he established R.J. Rodell and Associates, a sales and marketing firm representing transportation companies. Subsequently, he acquired Manufacturers Consolidation Service in 1990 and served as its President/CEO until selling his stake in 1997 to found Cornerstone Systems.

Rodell is a former member of VISTAGE (formerly TEC) and a member of The Global Leaders. His leadership has led two of his companies to the finals of the Memphis Business Journal’s Small Business Award, and he was a finalist for the CEO Award. Recognized for his industry contributions, he was named Transportation Club International Person of the Year in 2011 and served as Chairman of the Intermodal Conference of the Transportation Intermediaries Association. For his community service, the Governor of Tennessee honored him as a Tennessee Volunteer.

Committed to philanthropy, Rodell supports numerous organizations including Alois, The Forsaken Children in Ethiopia, Leadership Training in Afghanistan, Mission to the World, Youth Villages, Salvation Army, Coaching for Literacy, Rise to Read, and charter schools in Memphis.

In his personal life, Rodell enjoys reading and spending time at his lake home. He and his wife, Karen, have been married for 35 years and have one son working at Cornerstone and another in the music industry. Their family includes five grandchildren.