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Gary Kirt

Owner and Chief Executive Officer

Bell Mortgage owner and Chief Executive Officer, Gary Kirt is the last to talk about his accomplishments. To truly understand Kirt's passion and drive, you have to go straight to his employees. Whether they share details of how Kirt bought his first home while still in high school, or explain how he's guided Bell Mortgage to the position of the largest privately owned mortgage company in Minnesota, you'll hear the phrase "entrepreneurial spirit" quite often. Kirt's employees say he's consistently a step ahead, always preparing for the future of the mortgage industry - never waiting for it. Bell employees regard Kirt as a knowledgeable and proactive leader whose excitement for his company is definitely contagious.

Kirt has been with Bell Mortgage since he purchased the company in 1980. He says Bell's position in the industry was, and still is, very appealing. "The company is able to quickly adapt to the changes that allow it to always compete." One of the constant changes Bell embraces is technology. Bell is widely known to have cutting-edge IT systems that assist Bell employees, customers and even realtors in making the journey from loan application through closing, a process of efficiency. "Our system is simple and powerful. Because we own our technology, we can, and do, react immediately to change."

With more than 160 employees at Bell, Kirt says he leads with a basic principal. "You treat people the way you want to be treated. We maintain a healthy culture where employees are treated well and they, in turn, treat our customers well." Kirt says Bell is full of talented and passionate people. He says the quality of the people Bell recruits and retains is a significant part of the company's growing success.

Another key to Bell's continued growth is the company's concentration on the point-of-sale in the mortgage industry, in other words, the realtors and homebuilders. "Because they are our number one referral source, we try to understand their needs and be the best lender we can be. That includes being the best at the simple things like returning phone calls and returning them fast."

In addition to the valuable employees and business practices that keep Bell's reputation on the forefront of the industry, a strong commitment to community is a passion not often mentioned by Kirt, but is apparent by his actions. An active supporter of numerous local charities, most notably Simpson Housing Services (Simpson Shelter) and the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Twin Cities, Kirt not only attended the club as a teen, he has also served on its board of directors since 1980. Kirt and the entire Bell family continue to donate time and resources to cause-related initiatives and community organizations in need.

Before purchasing Bell in 1980, Kirt spent 9 years as Vice President and Manager of the Residential Mortgage Division of Conservative Mortgage. Kirt then went on to become Sr. Vice President and Manager of the Residential Mortgage Division of Midwest Federal. During his time at Bell Mortgage, Kirt has served as both Owner and Chief Executive Officer.

As for the future of Bell Mortgage, Kirt likes to refer to the game strategy of hockey-great Wayne Gretzky. "Gretzky rarely went to where the puck was. Usually he would go to where it was going to be next," says Kirt. Kirt's plan is charted similarly to the great #99 - continue to predict future trends in the mortgage arena, while utilizing his 33 years of front line experience and Bell's 125 years of history to not simply react, but to plot the course of the game.