The History Of Bell Nursery


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Mike McCarthy and Gary Mangum grew up working in the nursery and a related interior/specialty exterior landscape business. They purchased Bell Nursery from the Mangum family in 1994. The guiding principals which have been adopted by the owners to grow the business are to always remain committed to: Innovation, Service, Quality and Value. The implementation of these guiding principals are part of each employees focus.

Since the nursery was acquired, Mike & Gary have added several major greenhouse ranges. Finished plant material ships at a near perfect stage, and is much more consistent as a result of the technologies incorporated at Bell.

In addition to owner operated space, Bell has established a network of Associate Growers on Maryland's Eastern Shore and in Southern Maryland. Network space includes an additional 40 acres of production, bringing Bell's total production to nearly 75 acres under cover, along with substantial field production.

 

Bell was profiled as the cover story  in 2003 in Smart CEO magazine and again in July 2005.  In December 2001, Bell Nursery was chosen as "Grower of the Year" in Greenhouse Grower Magazine. In August 2000, Bell Nursery was recognized by Greenhouse Grower Magazine for positive leadership & for "Impacting an Industry".  Bell activities were also highlighted in the area of employee relations by Greenhouse Business Magazine.  Bell enjoys an excellent reputation in the industry, amongst peers and customers alike.

The partners each understand and promote to employees that "We're only as good as our last delivery". Gary believes that "If we treat each delivery opportunity as though it's our first and last chance with that particular customer, we will always be successful". Discipline at shipping time is critical. Plant material must be at the proper stage of development prior to shipping. During peak times, this shipping discipline can make the difference in an operator with a fantastic reputation, or one that offers "hit or miss" plant material.

Since 1994 Bell's business has grown primarily by working closely with the Home Depot.  Beginning in Maryland and expanding into Virginia, W. Virginia, Delaware and Pennsylvania.  Most recently, Bell has acquired a majority interest in Ulery Greenhouse Company in Springfield, OH.  Bell will become the primary supplier for all Home Depot locations in Cincinnati, Columbus and Dayton Ohio.  Through existing Ulery relationships Bell will begin to serve new customers such as Wal-mart & Costco.

Bell Nursery is an active member of the following organizations: Landscape Contractors Association (LCA), Professional Landcare Network, American Nursery & Landscape Association (ANLA), Maryland Greenhouse Growers Assn., Society of American Florists (SAF), and the Florida Nursery and Landscape Association (FNLA). Gary is a past president, and  has served many years on the Board of Directors of the LCA as well as ALCA, and is Past-Chairman of Plants for Clean Air Council. He served on the Legislative Affairs Committee of ANLA, and was a trustee to the Horticultural Research Institute. Gary has also served on the Business and Economic Trends Committee of SAF.  He was recently named by Maryland's Governor to serve on the State Water Resource Advisory Committee.  Gary also had an opportunity to share his thoughts on stage to discuss the strengthening of the economy with President Bush.


Tom Wheeler (Head Grower/Range Grower) Tom came to Bell in January 2000. He has worked in the industry for over 20 years and has 15 years experience as a Head Grower. Tom is a 1986 Graduate of University of Maryland with a B.S. in General Agriculture.  According to Mike, "Tom has got to be one of the most gifted growers we've ever seen in a greenhouse.  He has a "hands on" mentality that serves us very well."  Tom is responsible for the overall quality of Bell production, and provides "hands on" instruction for Network Growers.

 


Kevin Titherington (Production and Shipping Manager) Kevin has been with Bell since 1991, and has over 15 years nursery experience. He has done almost everything in the nursery from growing, pesticide application, to shipping and taking orders. Kevin has a B.A. in Horticulture. His hard work ethic and flexibility are prime examples of all Bell employees. Quality control and efficient shipping are Kevin's top priorities.

 

 


Cathy Hurley (Office Manager) Cathy came to Bell Nursery in 1995 after graduating from Salisbury State University with a B.S. in Geography. Her many tasks at Bell include processing orders, invoicing, computer projects, travel planning, meeting planning, purchasing, Home Depot and customer relations, LAN support, design and maintenance of this web site, and  technical advisor for our merchandising website, bellimpact.com, as well as other office demands. She has been working in the nursery field since 1986.


 

Tony Moe (Controller) Tony handles Bell's account payables/ receivables, payroll, and is a key advisor to Mike & Gary. Tony has been involved with various aspects of the company for over 20 years, although he came to work for Bell directly in 1999.

 

 

Andy Meyer (Scout) Andy started in the nursery business in 1970 at Ashton Nurseries in Ashton, MD and was its' general manager. In 1987 Andy was hired as full time grower at American Plant Food and was responsible for growing a full line of perennials and bedding plants for retail sales. Andy came to Bell Nursery in 1996, as assistant grower and oversees crop production of bedding plants and perennials. Andy relocated to the Salisbury, MD area to manage Bell's network grower production on Maryland's Eastern Shore.

 

Rafael Arroyo (Assistant Grower - Burtonsville)  Rafael began working in the agricultural field in 1986 in Houston, TX for a large commercial nursery.  In 1989 he moved to the Washington DC area and was hired by Bell.  Rafael now oversees  5 acres of covered production and 15 acres of outside production for Bell.  He enjoys all aspects of growing plants, and takes pride in producing a top quality crop.

 



Paul Chisholm (Merchandising Manager) Paul has been in the horticultural industry since 1984, first as a buyer/re-wholesaler of interior tropical foliage. He has been with Bell since February of 1998 as an in store merchandiser, and is responsible for keeping Bell Nursery's product displayed properly at retailers we supply. Paul has oversight responsibilities for 200 (fall) to 550 (spring) merchandisers that work from Philadelphia to Fredericksburg, VA.  He is responsible for all organizational and operational aspects of Bell's in-store service.



Part of Bell Nursery's Merchandising Team!

Merchandising Area Managers

Barbara Woodward - Area Manager. 
Barbara has been with Bell Nursery since 2000.  Barbara a native of Virginia, and is also a Master Gardener.

 

Mary Lou Stransky - Area Manager.  She has been with Bell since 1999.  Mary Lou is an avid gardener, and she likes to spend her free time with her husband and three daughters.

 

 

Marianne Sickman -         Training & Development Manager
Marianne is responsible for the training, development and mentoring of Area Managers.  She started with Bell in 2005 as a Merchandiser and then Store Supervisor. She is a retired Naval Officer, and enjoys working with people and plants. When not working, Marianne loves to spend time at home with her family and tending to her own garden.

Terri McKenzie -
Training & Development Manager  
Terri is responsible for the training, development and mentoring of the Area Managers. Terri started as a merchandiser in the Spring 2001, and has been an avid gardener for years.  She assists with production of informational media segments, & is also the training coordinator of certified garden training seminars for Home Depot.

J.B. Trimp -
Merchandising Manager.
J.B. joined our team in October 2005.  J.B. has 19 years experience in the Horticulture and Merchandising industry, including 10 years in landscaping, 2 years as a garden manager both at The Home Depot and Lowe’s followed by 5 years with Floral Plant Growers as a Merchandising Manager overlooking 60 merchandisers, 22 stores and the complete outdoor build-out and set-up for the spring season.   He is responsible for the oversight of staffing, training, in-store displays and customer satisfaction.

John Guion
Area Manager.  New to Bell in 2005,  John comes with  12 years experience at Meadows Farms Nurseries, and 10 years in the garden department at The Home Depot.  His fondness and knowledge of plants and landscaping extends from the workplace to home gardening.  Put a pair of pruners in his hands, and he is a happy man.

Mary O'Conner -
Training Supervisor and  Regional Manager.  Mary has been with Bell Nursery since 2001 in various merchandising roles.  She is also a Master Gardener.  Mary holds a nursing degree and has working in nursing for twenty years.

Natalie Long
Natalie joined Bell Nursery in January of 2006. She brings 14 years of residential and commercial gardening, and landscape design and installation experience. She owned and operated Choe’s Garden from 2001-2004 followed by 2 years at Floral Plant Growers.

Nancy Walsh-Lediger
Nancy started with Bell in March of 2004. After 20 years as a restaurant manager/owner it was time for a change. With flower and herb gardening as a hobby, working for Bell was mixing business with pleasure. When her hands are not in the dirt, she likes to relax with her feet in the sand on the Delaware coast.

Alison Anderson
Alison has been with Bell since 2002. Past work experience includes spending 9 years as a Marketing Manager for a large international corporation. In her spare time she enjoys gardening, maintaining her own small orchard and grape arbors. Alison has been married for 15 years and has three children.