Thomas D. Bell, Jr.

Immediate Past Chairman and Chairman of the Executive Committee
U.S. Chamber of Commerce

Thomas D. Bell Jr. is chairman of Mesa Capital Partners, a real estate investment company, and chairman of the U.S. Chamber’s Executive Committee. Bell served as the 2010–2011 chairman of the U.S. Chamber and the 2005 chairman of the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce.

Bell is also the non-executive chairman of SecurAmerica, an Atlanta-based national contract security firm. Previously, he served as chairman of the board and CEO of Cousins Properties Incorporated. He was named vice chairman of the board and chairman of the Executive Committee in January 2001. Subsequently, he was elected president and CEO by the board in January 2002. Bell assumed the role of chairman of the board upon the retirement of founder and Chairman Tom Cousins in December 2006.

Bell has a wealth of experience in corporate management, governance, and leadership in both the public and private sectors. Prior to joining Cousins, he spent 10 years at Young & Rubicam Inc. (NYSE:YNR), retiring as chairman and CEO when it merged with WPP. Before becoming chairman and CEO of Young & Rubicam Inc., he served as chairman and CEO of Young & Rubicam Advertising, CEO of Burson-Marsteller, and CEO of Young & Rubicam’s Diversified Communications Group.

Bell is a member of the boards of Grady Memorial Hospital Corporation, Emory University, the Regal Entertainment Group, AGL Resources Inc., Norfolk Southern Corporation, and the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce. He served as the 2005 chairman of the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce and as chairman of the chamber’s Quality Growth Task Force.

During the Reagan administration, Bell chaired the Committee on the Next Agenda, which focused on prioritizing issues for President Reagan’s second term. He also chaired the Workforce 2000 Advisory Committee for the U.S. Secretary of Labor. Earlier in his career, Bell was chief of staff to former Sen. William Brock (R-TN).

Bell has held other senior positions in business and government, including vice chairman of Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation, executive vice president of Ball Corporation, president and chief executive officer of the Hudson Institute, and chairman of the board of the Center for Naval Analysis.