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70 Years of J. J. Keller & Associates, Inc.

Founded in 1953, J. J. Keller has evolved over the past 70 years from a one-man consulting firm to the trusted name in safety and regulatory compliance solutions it is today.

70 Years of J. J. Keller & Associates, Inc.

Over the past 70 years, J.J. Keller has evolved from a one-man consulting company to the safety & compliance business it is today. 

Photo: Work Truck | J.J. Keller 

3 min to read


J. J. Keller & Associates, Inc., a trusted name in safety and regulatory compliance solutions across North America, celebrated 70 years in business on November 1, 2023.

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Founded on November 1, 1953, by World War II Veteran John J. (Jack) Keller, J. J. Keller & Associates, Inc. started as a one-man consulting firm specializing in transportation regulations for motor carriers. Over the years, the company has grown exponentially, expanding its expertise and solutions to address regulatory complexities for a wide range of industries.

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Rustin Keller, the third-generation leader and current President and CEO of the company, reflected on the company's humble beginnings.

"My grandfather's vision was to assist motor carriers in navigating the complex regulations associated with an emerging intrastate trucking industry in 1953," he said. "His dedication and experience in transportation for Wisconsin paper companies laid the foundation for what J. J. Keller has become today."

With more than 2,000 associates across the United States, Canada, and Mexico, and a dedicated Center of Excellence in India, J. J. Keller has become a comprehensive provider of safety and compliance solutions. Its offerings include consulting and training services, managed services, content subscriptions, cloud-based solutions and a wide range of physical products.

These solutions help employers ensure the safety of their employees and mitigate the risk of noncompliance with a multitude of regulatory bodies such as the Department of Transportation, Department of Labor, EEOC, OSHA, and EPA.

On J. J. Keller’s anniversary, Rustin Keller acknowledged the advancements made since the company’s inception.

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"The wide range of expertise and technology-based solutions we offer today would likely have surpassed even my grandfather's entrepreneurial imagination," he said. "However, what I believe he would easily recognize is our commitment to carrying forward his legacy of protecting people and the businesses they run."

The company’s anniversary coincides with November 1 being Great Place to Work Certification Nation Day, a day on which Great Place to Work honors and acknowledges Great Place to Work-Certified companies across the country, which create great places to work for all. Great Place To Work is the global authority on workplace culture, recognized worldwide by employees and employers alike for identifying outstanding employee experiences.

“Our associates have ranked J. J. Keller as a Great Place to Work seven times,” said Rustin Keller. “It’s an honor bestowed on us by our associates, and it shows our true care for associates – something our founder, Jack Keller, instilled when he put ‘Associates’ in the company name.”

To commemorate the significant milestone of 70 years in business, J. J. Keller has released a new eBook that provides a look into the company's history. The eBook provides an overview of the company's journey, highlighting achievements, milestones and the values that have guided it for the past seven decades.

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