About Eldrin Bell
Chairman Eldrin
Bell received his education in the Atlanta Public Schools,
graduating from David T. Howard High School. He completed his
undergraduate studies at Morris Brown University and Georgia State
University and continued with his graduate studies at Harvard
University Law School, Northwestern University Institute and
Atlanta University. He also received training at the FBI Academy,
National Executive Institute (NEI), Secret Service Academy graduate
and completed the Association County Commissioners of Georgia
(ACCG) certification program; and is currently enrolled in the
Certified Commissioners Advanced Program, better known as
C.C.A.P.
Bell is a 33 year veteran of the Atlanta Police Department.
Throughout his law enforcement career Bell achieved every rank
ranging from Patrolman to Police Chief. During his tenure as Police
Chief, Bell managed 2,300 employees and a $100 million
budget. He also successfully secured over $50 million in
grants for the police department. After serving the residents of
Atlanta, Bell tossed his hat into the "Southern Crescent" political
arena and was elected to serve the citizens of Clayton County, GA
in November 2004.
Throughout his service to the county Chairman Bell has been
responsible for various community service programs including the
Clayton County Library Foundation, an online live tutorial programs
for Clayton County children - 4th grade through
1st year of college. He spearheaded the 2008
special-purpose local-option sales tax (SPLOST)
that has been responsible for the various improvements and upgrades
made to county services. Chairman Bell successfully led the
committee to pass legislation giving Clayton County and its cities
(in revenue) over $300 million in support of parks, green space,
libraries and roads in Clayton County; and serves as the visionary
of the Aero-tropolis concept, which supports the economic
development for cities and counties adjacent to the
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. The Chairman is
also responsible for implementing the county's disparity study in
an effort to increase business opportunities for minority
entrepreneurs.
Chairman Bell is a member of many civic and professional
organizations including: Chairman of the Clayton County Regional
Health Board; Vice-Chairman of the Transportation Steering
Committee for the National Association of Counties (NACo) and also
Vice-Chairman of the Transportation Board for NACo; Past Chairman
of the Regional Transportation Planning Board; Atlanta
Regional Commission Board Member; Corner Stone Board Member of the
Georgia Chamber of Commerce; Associate Member of the Gate City Bar
Association; and Life Member of Clayton County NAACP.
As a family man with deep religious convictions, Chairman Eldrin
Bell is an active member of Salem Bible Baptist Church, where he is
an ordained Elder and a government relations advisor to Pastor
Jasper William, Jr. He is also the proud father of 13 children (9
adopted), 13 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren. Bell has been
quoted many times as saying:"Our children are the
message we send to the future, a time and place, we may never see …
what will that message be?"