Longtime group, business enterprise chief gets greatest honor from Springfield chamber
3 min readThat variety of determination and selflessness is why Bell, who is in his 70s, was picked for the award this calendar year, in accordance chamber executives. They say Bell has been instrumental in initiatives above the a long time that have elevated thousands and thousands to fund programs and initiatives in the community.
“If there was an all star crew in Springfield, Clark County more than the earlier 50 years, (Bell) would be one of the captains of that staff,” mentioned Mike McDorman, President and CEO of the Chamber of Larger Springfield.
“(Bell) is a single of individuals leaders who invested in the next era. He has supported several in this local community that are in management positions right now and proceeds to do that,” McDorman additional.
Bell is the former president of the previous Consolidated Insurance ahead of it turned Brower Insurance plan. A indigenous of the Springfield area, he has invested considerably in the area above a range of years.
Bell has been a member of a range of neighborhood group as well as increased education and learning boards as effectively as served as the president for the Springfield Rotary Club.
Some of Bell’s fundraising initiatives had been geared to aiding nearby youngsters with disabilities, McDorman mentioned. In addition to that, Bell has used his affect to raise millions for institutions such as the Springfield Basis, Clark Point out University and the Local community Enhancement Corporation (CIC).
Horton Hobbs, vice president of economic advancement for the Chamber of Better Springfield, said Bell played a big component in supporting the CIC increase above $4 million for its Develop 2024 Marketing campaign.
The amount of money elevated exceeded anticipations specially amid the coronavirus pandemic as a the greater part of those attempts were carried out by way of digital suggests, Bell reported in the chamber video clip.
“I am a townie. I was born and raised right here and have lived listed here all but eight yrs of my everyday living, when I was in college and in the provider. I have noticed a lot of variations, some great, some not so fantastic. But I have never regretted the final decision to make Springfield my family’s house,” Bell mentioned.
“Our neighborhood is of the dimensions the place you can build particular interactions wherever most dealings are with persons you know and have confidence in. Exactly where it is simple to get associated and where one can make a distinction,” he included.
McDorman mentioned that although Bell was diagnosed with parkinson’s disorder many many years in the past, he continues to remain energetic in the community and is continue to associated in significant initiatives in the spot.
The chamber’s annual conference will commence at 3 p.m. and will be streamed stay on Facebook.
Chamber of Better Springfield 2021 Honorees
Business enterprise of the Yr: Assurant
Modest Small business of the Yr: NCF Financial savings Lender
Neighborhood Effects Award: 2nd Harvest Foods Bank
Greatest Restaurant/Retailer of the Calendar year: Cecil and Lime
Huge Dreamer Banner: Dale Henry
