Mangum Returns to Top Spot at Bell Nursery

After stepping back and reducing his role in late 2010, Gary Mangum has returned to Bell Nursery, Burtonsville, Md., as president and chief executive officer. The move takes effect immediately.

Until the end of last year, Mangum, along with his brother-in-law Mike McCarthy, had been running the company for nearly 20 years when outside management was hired to take over the reigns at Bell. Mangum served more in an advisory role while McCarthy retired.

Mangum told GPN that he was really looking forward to getting back to working full time again. “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.”

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

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 Bell’s executive vice president Adam Stewart.

“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 ten year associate, Bell regional market manager Mary O’Connor.

Bell Nursery is one the largest suppliers of annuals, perennials, tropical plants, roses, orchids and shrubs and trees in the U.S. Through its unique “Grower Network” program, Bell Nursery provides product to Home Depot stores in in the South and Mid-Atlantic market areas as well as the southern Ohio Valley

You can read more about Bell Nursery in this article from GPN’s Big Grower.