Rex Bell is founder and partner of the innovative Maine-based development company Northland enterprises which has a successful track record including 19 properties under current ownership with a portfolio value of over $65,000,000. 

Rex’s ability to see, analyze, manage and deliver successful development projects comes from 30 years of hands-on experience in virtually every aspect of the real estate business.

In 1988, Bell and his brother formed a Vermont-based construction, property management, and real estate brokerage company. The company built new homes, did renovation work and acquired properties in need of re-positioning and had an ownership interest in more than 50 investment properties. In addition, the company provided property management and disposition services for two prominent Vermont banks. Over seven years, the company participated in the management and disposition of approximately 700 bank owned (REO) assets with sales volumes in excess of $70 million.

That kind of hands-on experience on projects of nearly every size and type has allowed Bell and business partner Josh Benthien to build Northland into a company known for finding creative, innovative ways to make deals work where others have passed. Two examples include the $4.5 million Baxter Library in Portland, Maine and the $11.5 million Sanford Mill in Sanford, Maine. Both were passed on by other developers and earned state and national awards after Northland successfully completed them.

Rex’s passion for making deals work for investors, tenants and communities is matched by a lifelong love and involvement in competitive ski jumping, including competing, coaching and now sponsorship of the USA Ski Jumping and Nordic Combined Ski Teams.

Originally from the Buffalo, NY area, Bell was a competitive ski jumper in high school and college. Following graduation from the University of New Hampshire, he coached skiing for two years at UNH before taking a position with the Lake Placid Olympic Organizing Committee. After the 1980 Lake Placid Olympics he coached for eight years with the US Ski Jumping and Olympic Teams.

Today, as part of its charitable giving and sponsorship program, Northland is a proud sponsor of the USA Ski Jumping and Nordic Combined Teams.

Since 2000, Rex and his wife Marilyn have lived just outside Portland, Maine in Cape Elizabeth.

Rex can be reached at Rex@NorthlandUS.com.