Co-founder of Bell Nursery returns to helm

BURTONSVILLE, Md. – Bell Nursery announced that co-founder and Former Vice President Gary Mangum will return to the helm of the organization effective immediately as president and CEO. 

“We’re at a juncture where in-store service and product innovation, cornerstones of our history, are keys to our future. Our primary customer and board of directors supported this change in leadership,” Mangum said. “Together we decided that the best way to move ahead and best align with our customer needs is if I re-engage to lead the company.” 

Roles will change in several areas at Bell to closely support customer satisfaction and growth. “Gary’s genuine concern for the people in our business, and long past as a leader in the evolution of in store service, combined with his well known focus on quality – puts us in an excellent position to grow our business,” said Adam Stewart, Bell executive vice president.

“Gary has always promoted ‘Act Like You Own It,’ and with that message of empowerment he also brings a real sense of urgency for continued improvement in every area of our business,” said 10-year associate, Bell Regional Market Manager Mary O’Connor. 

“We have a great team with many years of experience, and we will utilize every individual strength we have to achieve our goals,” said Mangum. “We are adding resources where appropriate and expect to attract additional talent as we move forward.”

Bell Nursery is among the largest suppliers of annuals, perennials, tropical plants, roses, orchids and shrubs and trees in the U.S. Through the “Grower Network,” Bell Nursery provides an opportunity for farm families to diversify their risk and participate in the nursery experience as they help Bell deliver some of the best quality and most consistent production anywhere. Through this program, some family farms have been preserved and land has been protected from development.  

Bell Nursery provides plant material to Home Depot stores in the South and Mid-Atlantic market areas as well as the southern Ohio Valley.