People and team development has been a lifetime focus for Larry Bell, and the opportunity to join SGR in 2018 as he retired from the fire service was a natural fit. Larry spent 35 years in the fire service, serving as a chief officer for 19 of those years; he was promoted up through the ranks of the Abilene, Texas Fire Department and retired as the Fire Chief. While Larry’s career was in the fire service, he also has devoted a significant amount of his time and energy conducting leadership and team-building workshops for professional organizations and schools. Larry is known for bringing people together. As a recruiter for SGR, he now uses his combination of skills and motivation to recruit executives for various roles of local government. He is committed to serving as well as finding those willing to serve in leadership roles.

There is no substitute for life experiences from which to learn, but Larry has committed himself to a formal education and understands the importance being involved in the community. He holds a Bachelor of Applied Studies, a master’s degree in Organizational and Human Resource Development, and a certificate of conflict resolution, all from Abilene Christian University. He also has the Executive Fire Officer (EFO) certification from the National Fire Academy and the Certified Public Manager (CPM) certification through Texas State University. Larry was also fortunate to attend the Leading, Educating, and Developing (LEAD) course at the University of Virginia. He has served his community in a number of ways, most recently as the board chair for the Christian Service Center, as an honorary commander at Dyess Air Force base, as a big brother in Big Brothers/Big Sisters, and as an elder at the Oldham Lane Church of Christ in Abilene, Texas.

Larry is married to the love of his life, Danette, and they have two children and five grandchildren. He treasures his time with his family.