Member of the Year

Bell was named The Patuxent Partnership (TPP) 2021 Member Organization of the Year. Headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas, as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Textron Inc., Bell is one of the leading suppliers of military and commercial helicopters, tiltrotor aircraft, and related spare parts and services in the world. It supplies  advanced military helicopters and provides parts and support services to the U.S. Government and to military customers outside the United States. Bell’s primary U.S. Government programs are for the production and support of the V-22 tiltrotor aircraft and the H-1 helicopters. Bell was selected based on the company’s performance, support of TPP’s mission, internal and employee culture, and company and employee involvement in community affairs and volunteer activities.

Bell has supported the southern Maryland business landscape through sponsorships, active employee community participation, scholarships furthering aerospace professional development, and engagement with thought leaders. Bell’s philanthropic initiatives focus on building meaningful partnerships and strengthening the communities in which our employees work and live. It includes supporting schools and organizations that address STEM education related primarily to technology, engineering and innovation programs, veteran and military programs and health and human services.

Bell champions professional STEM education in southern MD as a founding member and only OEM of St. Mary’s College of Maryland’s Patuxent River Science and Technology Consortium in which STEM scholarships and internships are provided to St. Mary’s College students as pathways to STEM careers. Additionally, Bell actively participates in the St. Mary’s College Career Fairs – recruiting and hiring SMCM graduates into our production centers of excellence located in Fort Worth, and providing current students opportunities for summer internships in Fort Worth.

Bell is a strong advocate of the Marine Corps Aviation Association John Glenn Squadron contributing funds for the annual STEM scholarship as well as sponsorships for professional networking and fundraising events which bring together the defense, industry, and academic communities help service members transition to civilian careers and raise additional money for STEM education.  Events have included golf tournaments, Acquisition Award banquet sponsorships, Tip Your Tenders events, and others.

Bell is active in the St. Mary’s County Chamber of Commerce, sponsoring events such as the Legislative breakfast, attending Chamber events. Additionally, Bell believes in listening to our nation’s thought leaders and has hosted ‘brown bag’ lunches with southern Maryland thought leaders to contemplate important issues facing today’s defense government and industry leaders.

Bell also supports southern Maryland’s history and culture participating and sponsoring events for Historic Sotterley, a National Trust of Historic Preservation site and southern Maryland’s River Concert Series. Bell has also provided food to local food pantries and donated used office furniture to Habitat for Humanity’s Restore reclaimed home goods store.

In addition, Bell works with the Pax River Naval Air Museum (PRNAM) to provide displays, display information, and assisted with planning and ceremony staffing for the 2019 induction of V-22 #8, ‘8-ball’, into the museum’s permanent display.

Bell has provided ongoing support to The (TPP) through its numerous sponsorships – including the 2021 Annual Member Dinner, TPP and Association and Naval Aviation (ANA) panels – and several TPP full day programs over the past few years.

Furthermore, Bell supports Leadership Southern Maryland (LSM) events and programs such as executive program lunches and golf tournaments. Two employees have participated in the through  Executive Program; one of Bell’s graduates now serves on the LSM Board of Directors while also chairing the Executive Program Recruiting Committee.

Lifting each other up is at the core of Bell’s values. Bell is committed to moving our employees and communities forward through employee-led campaigns, corporate giving, and volunteerism. Every year, Bell gives over $1 million to over 100 charities. We take pride in supporting our communities around the world. Our main focus areas include education and workforce development; veterans; military, commercial, and innovation programs; and health and human services.