Bruce Farrell received his first set of mechanic’s tools from his mother, Alma L. Farrell, when he was 14. She may have regretted that when he eventually had car engines hanging from trees in their yard near Boston, MA, where he grew up.
After starting his career at a Chevrolet store, he worked for the Chevrolet Motor Division, working from Virginia Beach, VA, and traveling extensively as a Field Service Representative. He moved his family to Roanoke in 1976 to work for Donald Berglund’s Chevrolet store where he was quickly promoted to General Manager and became part owner. This move allowed him to be home each night with his beautiful wife, Lucy, and three children, William, Virginia Brooke, and Michael. The Farrell family obtained full ownership of the dealership when Mr. Berglund passed away in 1987. Eventually, Bruce’s son William took the lead of the company, becoming the President while his father remained CEO. The Farrell family’s hard work and determination have played a major role in the Berglund Automotive Group becoming one of the largest and most successful dealerships in Virginia.
Bruce Farrell is a great American entrepreneur success story. Mr. Farrell began his career as a mechanic and today, along with his son William who is now President of the company, built an organization that owns and operates 31 automotive brand franchises in 12 locations throughout Southwest and Central Virginia. The Berglund Management Group’s name, which now has more than 700 dedicated employees, was recently awarded the naming rights for our region’s premier Coliseum, Hall and Performing Arts Center, the Berglund Center.
A private man, Bruce and his wife Lucy have been silent donors to countless charitable organizations in our region for many years. Mr. Farrell’s commitment to keeping things simple, focusing on his customers and employees and what affects the bottom line the most in business, and in life, are the principles he lives by.
Bruce Farrell was inducted into the Southwest Virginia Business Hall of Fame in 2015.
