Oliver J. Bell

Oliver Bell leads a diverse labor relations consulting practice that values direct management-employee relationships, recognizes the dynamics of organizational change, trains leadership skills, and helps clients align stakeholder goals. He is the managing director of Bell, Pasalagua, Raggette, LP and the CEO of Oliver Bell, Inc – which leads the strategic labor relations consulting for the partnership. The two firms focus on consensus building and timely issue resolution to sustain productive work environments via positive employee relations. Bell regularly speaks on leadership, labor & employment, and inclusion & diversity issues for clients and professional conferences. He has worked with union and union-free companies operating in North, Central & South America, the Caribbean, and Europe. He has been involved in over 1,000 client scenarios including over 250 RC/RD elections, 600 mitigation campaigns, 900 situation assessments and audits, and too many leader and employee training sessions to count!

Mr. Bell provides the firm’s strategic direction, coordinates business development, and interfaces with client counsel as needed. He advises senior leaders, directs strategic communications, and identifies proactive solutions to workplace issues. His clients come from a number of industries including agriculture, aviation, automotive, construction, customer service, education, elder care energy, finance, food service, government, healthcare, hospitality, law enforcement, logistics, manufacturing, mining & minerals, retail, oil & gas, technology, telecommunications, transportation, and utilities.

In addition to his business activities, the Governor of Texas appointed Mr. Bell to serve on the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission (TPWC).  TPWC is a national leader in natural resources conservation and outdoor recreational programs. Acting as a board of directors, the Commission oversees the management and conservation of the natural and cultural resources of Texas and provides hunting, fishing and outdoor recreation opportunities for the use and enjoyment of all citizens. As additional duties, Commissioner Bell currently advises the internal audit team, serves on the board of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation, and coordinates the commission’s efforts for greater inclusion and diversity outreach to increase state park and monument visits and citizen participation in hunting, fishing, and conservation efforts.

Mr. Bell’s earlier public sector board service includes serving as Chairman of the Texas Board of Criminal Justice. Chairman Bell was responsible for the oversight of the $3.3 Billion, 40,000-employee Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ). Bell also served as Chairman of the Windham School District (WSD) Board of Trustees. WSD is the largest geographic school district in the state of Texas. In honor of his service to the board, department, and district – TDCJ renamed a correctional facility – The Oliver J. Bell Correctional Unit – in his honor in March of 2020. Mr. Bell also served on the Board of Regents at Texas Southern University overseeing a student body of more than 10,000 scholars and a staff and faculty of 1400 employees. Regent Bell chaired the Finance Committee and the Presidential Search Committee.

Mr. Bell is a graduate of the US Military Academy at West Point. He is airborne ranger qualified and commanded a border mission Cavalry Troop with the 11th Armored Cavalry on the East-West German Inter-Zonal Border. He served as the Officer-In-Charge and co-developer of the US Army Scout Platoon Leader’s Course and later commanded a unit in the 10th Cavalry – “The Buffalo Soldiers.” Bell was selected to return to West Point to teach international relations but declined to pursue a civilian career. After leaving active military service, Mr. Bell joined Mobil Oil’s Human Resources Group. He left Mobil to pursue a career in labor relations consulting. Mr. Bell rose to Vice President of a large consulting firm before leaving to form his own firm.

Mr. Bell is a member of the National Association of Corporate Directors where is certified as a “Board Governance Fellow.” He is also a member of the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment Association, the Association of the United States Army, and has sat on several nonprofit boards. Mr. Bell is also an “Honorary Kentucky Colonel” appointed by the Governor of Kentucky.

Mr. Bell lives in Cleveland, Texas with his wife. He has two daughters – one presently attending West Point and the other a West Point graduate currently serving as an Army intelligence officer.