Bailey Nurseries appoints Jorge Becerra as CEO
Bailey Nurseries has announced the appointment of Jorge Becerra as CEO.
An intentional and collaborative process by the Bailey family, executive team and advisors identified him as a leader with the experience, values and expertise to guide Bailey forward.
Fourth-generation family member Terri McEnaney will transition from CEO to board chair, continuing her commitment to Bailey Nurseries.
This thoughtful transition marks the company’s move to its first-ever nonfamily CEO and was driven by a shared vision to bring in complementary leadership that honors Bailey’s roots while preparing it for the future.
“This moment is the result of years of planning to evolve our structure while continuing to support the Bailey Nurseries team, our customers and partners, and our core values,” said McEnaney. “Jorge brings not only deep global experience in agriculture, but also a genuine curiosity, a people-first approach, and strong alignment with who we are and where we’re going.”
Becerra grew up in Ecuador, where his father expanded the family business beyond cattle ranching to include one of the country’s first commercial shrimp farms. He later earned undergraduate and graduate degrees in aquaculture from Texas A&M University, combining his deep agricultural roots with advanced expertise.
“What drew me to Bailey was the culture and values,” Becerra said. “It resonated with me at a very personal level — the way I was raised, the way I’ve conducted business my whole career.”
Over the course of 25 years at Cargill, he held leadership roles globally. Most recently, he served in leadership roles within Cargill’s Animal Nutrition & Health businesses, solidifying his deep connection to agriculture.
“After spending my career focused on producing food that nourishes our bodies, I’ve come to see horticulture as a different kind of nourishment: one that improves lives and brings beauty to the world,” he said. “That’s incredibly inspiring to me, and I’m honored to help shape the future of a company with such a meaningful legacy. I’m especially looking forward to connecting with our customers and industry partners to learn from them and support their continued success.”
These transitions are effective immediately, with both Becerra and McEnaney working at Bailey’s main office in St. Paul, Minnesota.
Photo courtesy of Bailey Nurseries.
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