Jim Hagedorn, the 70-year-old chairman and chief executive who helped turn Marysville-based ScottsMiracle-Gro into a national lawn-and-garden heavyweight, has officially called it a career. The company has tapped its president, Nate Baxter, to move into the corner office as chief executive effective immediately.
Board Names Nate Baxter President and CEO
In a press release from ScottsMiracle-Gro investor relations, the board said it has elevated Nate Baxter to president and chief executive officer and added him to the company's board. The same announcement noted that independent director Pete Shumlin has been elected chairman and described the handoff as the result of a long-standing internal succession plan. The company said Hagedorn's exit from both the CEO role and the board is consistent with that plan.
Hagedorn Leaves a Long Family Legacy
A second-generation leader, Hagedorn is the son of Miracle-Gro co-founder Horace Hagedorn and has held the CEO title since 2001 and the chairman role since 2003, according to local coverage. As Columbus Business First reported, ScottsMiracle-Gro has characterized the move as a planned and expected transition, not an abrupt shakeup.
Baxter’s Operational Track Record
Baxter joined ScottsMiracle-Gro in April 2023 as executive vice president of technology and operations, then was promoted to chief operating officer later that year and again to president and COO in 2024, according to the company announcement distributed by GlobeNewswire. The board has credited him as the architect of the company's "SMG 2.0" growth blueprint and said he will zero in on scaling brands, lifting margins and tightening supply-chain execution.
Local Impact and Recent Moves
The leadership switch follows several months of reshuffling at the Marysville campus, including the April sale of the Hawthorne gardening unit and other steps to refocus on core consumer brands. Company disclosures and an 8-K filing detail the Hawthorne deal and list the firm's Marysville corporate address, a reminder that the local headquarters remains central to operations, according to SEC filings.
What’s Next for the Company
The company has scheduled its 2026 Investor Day for Aug. 4 at the New York Stock Exchange, a date that investors are eyeing as Baxter's chance to spell out his roadmap for growth and margin recovery, according to ScottsMiracle-Gro investor relations. Closer to home, employees and local suppliers will be watching how the new leadership team balances fresh investment with profitability in the months ahead.
