We honor and remember Austin Bell, a pioneer in making CROSSMARK what it is today. His leadership will never be forgotten.
I am sad to report that we lost a great man last week. Austin Bell was a founder and CEO of the company that became CROSSMARK. After a successful career at P&G, Austin joined the Willis Johnson Company in Little Rock in 1964. In 1985 he renamed the company SALESMARK and expanded regionally. My first day on the job was with Austin as he was inducted as the president of the National Food Brokers Association. He was an industry visionary and the leading proponent of agencies representing CPG companies across all trade channels and geographies. Austin was admired and loved by all who knew him. He set the standard for integrity. In 1996, Austin led the merger of SALESMARK with the Gordon Company and Phillips Brokerage company to create CROSSMARK.