# W. Marvin Rush

> W. Marvin Rush (1938-2018) founded Rush Enterprises in Houston in 1965 and developed a commercial truck dealership network combining sales, leasing, financing, and service. His company went public in 1996 and exceeded $1 billion in annual revenue in 2004. Remembered for his informal leadership and support for employees and youth agriculture, he received posthumous industry honors in 2024 and 2026.

- **Role:** Entrepreneur; commercial truck dealer; former company chairman and CEO
- **Organizations:** Rush Enterprises, Inc., Pioneer Bus Company, Hausman Bus Sales, TexStar National Bank, TrustStar Insurance Services, Rush Chevrolet
- **From:** Houston, United States
- **Known for:** Founded Rush Enterprises in 1965., Led the company to its June 1996 public offering, the first for a commercial truck dealer., Company surpassed $1 billion in annual revenue in 2004.

## Career timeline

- **1961** — Joined Hausman Bus Sales as vice president of sales.
- **1965** — Founded Rush Enterprises with a GMC truck dealership in Houston and two partners.
- **1967** — Company acquired its first Peterbilt franchise.
- **1982** — Returned from Hawaii to the mainland and rebuilt his business while repaying debt.
- **1992** — Introduced the Rush Enterprises coin; leadership set a billion-dollar revenue goal.
- **1996** — Rush Enterprises completed its Nasdaq IPO in June.
- **2004** — Company exceeded $1 billion in annual revenue.
- **2006** — Son W.M. “Rusty” Rush succeeded him as CEO.
- **2007** — Received regional Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year recognition in distribution and construction.
- **2008** — Named Truck Dealer of the Year by Heavy Duty Trucking and American Truck Dealers.
- **2009** — Inducted into the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo Hall of Fame.
- **2013** — Retired as chairman in May and became chairman emeritus.
- **2016** — Concluded board service in August.
- **2018** — Died on May 17 at age 79.
- **2024** — Posthumously inducted into the American Trucking and Industry Leader Hall of Fame on October 23.
- **2026** — Posthumously inducted into the TADA Hall of Legends on April 12.

## Achievements

- Founded Rush Enterprises in 1965.
- Led the company to its June 1996 public offering, the first for a commercial truck dealer.
- Company surpassed $1 billion in annual revenue in 2004.
- 2007 Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year regional award, distribution and construction, Houston and Gulf Coast.
- 2008 Truck Dealer of the Year.
- 2009 San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo Hall of Fame inductee.
- 2024 American Trucking and Industry Leader Hall of Fame inductee, posthumous.
- 2026 TADA Hall of Legends inductee, posthumous.

## Latest updates

- **2026-04** — Posthumously inducted as the 24th member of the Texas Automobile Dealers Association Hall of Legends on April 12; the association published its account on May 22, 2026.
- **2024-10** — Posthumously inducted into the American Trucking and Industry Leader Hall of Fame on October 23, with Rusty Rush, family, and colleagues accepting.

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/w-marvin-rush
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-10-23