Industry & Services >> CEO Interviews >> September 14, 1998
W.D. (DON) BELL has over thirty years experience in the electronics
industry. He is recognized as an innovative, professional industry
leader and strategist. His experience includes establishing 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 rapidly growing $483M value
added company specializing in semiconductors, computer products,
contract manufacturing, and other value-added services. Mr. Bell has
held key executive positions with Ducommun, Inc., Kierulff Electronics,
Texas Instruments, American Microsystems, Inc., Electronic Arrays (NEC),
and other electronic companies. In 1980, Mr. Bell joined Kierulff
Electronics as Executive Vice President and in 1981 was appointed
President of the company. He expanded the $100M company into a $400M
multi-company distributor of electronic components and computer
products. Mr. Bell was appointed to the position of President and Chief
Operating Officer of Docummun, Inc., the parent company of the
distribution organization in 1986. He was responsible for five aerospace
companies, in addition to the five electronic distribution businesses.
At American Microsystems, Inc. (AMI), Mr. Bell served in the positions
of Senior Vice President, Memory and Microprocessor Division, Marketing
Vice President, and Executive Vice President. At Electronic Arrays,
Inc., now NEC Microelectronics, Mr. Bell was President and CEO. Mr. Bell
was the Sales and Marketing Vice President and held senior sales and
marketing positions at Texas Instruments. Mr. Bell graduated with a B.S.
in Electrical Engineering from the University of Alabama. He is a member
of the Board of Directors of Sand Hill Capital and a member of the
Engineering Leadership Board for the University of Alabama. He has been
honored as Distinguished Engineering Fellow by the University of Alabama Profile
Mr. Bell: Bell Microproducts has a unique set of capabilities. We
combine the advantages of electronic component
