Technology >> CEO Interviews >> January 11, 2001
W. DONALD (DON) BELL is Chairman, President & CEO of Bell Microproducts,
Inc. Mr. Bell has over 30 years experience in the electronics industry.
He is recognized as an innovative, professional leader and strategist.
His experience includes the establishment of several creative and highly
successful marketing programs for electronic products from
semiconductors to multi-user computer systems and peripherals. In 1988,
Mr. Bell founded Bell Microproducts Inc., a value added distribution
company specializing in storage products and solutions, semiconductors,
computer products, and other value-added services. Since its founding,
Bell Microproducts has grown into a $1 billion-plus, industry-recognized
specialist in storage products and is one of the world's largest
storage-centric value-added distributors in the market today. Prior to
the establishment of Bell Microproducts, he held key executive positions
with Ducommun, Inc., Kierulff Electronics, Texas Instruments, American
Microsystems, Inc., Electronic Arrays (NEC), and other electronic
companies. Mr. Bell joined Ducommun, Inc. as President and Chief
Operating Officer in 1986. He was responsible for five aerospace
companies, in addition to the five electronic distribution businesses.
In 1980, Mr. Bell served Kierulff Electronics as Executive Vice
President and in 1981 was appointed President of the company. He
expanded the $100 million company into a $400 million multi-company
distributor of electronic components and computer products during his
tenure. Mr. Bell is currently a member of the Board of Directors of Sand
Hill Capital and the Engineering Leadership Board for the University of
Alabama. He has been honored as Distinguished Engineering Fellow by the
University of Alabama. Mr. Bell was also inducted into the State of
Alabama Engineering Hall of Fame. In addition, he has served on the
Board of Control Data Corporation and the San Jose Symphony. Mr. Bell
holds a BS degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of
Alabama. Profile
Microproducts the company's history, products, customers, those kinds of
things.
Mr. Bell: Bell Microproducts is a 12-year-old
