OAKLAND, CA. December 18, 2018/PRNewswire/ — Bell Investment Advisors (www.bellinvest.com) has announced that Forrest Bell, CFP® will succeed his father, founder of the firm, James F. Bell, CFP®, as President of Bell Investment Advisors, effective January 1, 2019. Jim Bell will continue in his role as Chief Investment Officer.
The firm, now in its 28th year of business, has been implementing its succession plan for over five years, during which Forrest Bell has assumed increasing responsibility for managing the staff and the firm’s Financial Planning and Investment Management services; he has been performing presidential duties for three years. The senior Mr. Bell states, “I have full confidence in Forrest, that with his years of preparation and his innate skills, he will perform exceptionally as he officially takes on the role of president of the firm. I am inspired to witness the next generation carry forward the Bell dedication to excellence, teamwork, client service, ethics, and above all, earning the trust of our clients. We have strategically invested in our capabilities and infrastructure and are well positioned to grow Bell as we thoughtfully welcome new clients.”
Forrest graduated from Claremont McKenna College; earned his master’s degree from Claremont Graduate University in education, where he was honored with a fellowship; and taught for seven years in Southern California, where his fluency in Spanish was crucial.
Forrest began at Bell in 2005 in client services and has continued to take on increasing responsibilities and grow professionally. While working full-time at Bell, he completed the rigorous curriculum of the College for Financial Planning in two years to qualify for the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ designation; he passed the exam to achieve the designation in 2011. Continuing education in both industry knowledge and ethics is required to maintain the right to use the CFP® marks.
In 2015 Forrest completed the Charles Schwab Executive Leadership Program, which offered premiere curricula and faculty from top U.S. graduate business schools. He has found great satisfaction in transferring his teaching and communication skills into working with clients as Senior Investment Advisor and leading the firm’s Financial Planning team.
Since its beginning in January 1991, the firm has held a core value that its president always have significant client-facing responsibilities. To that end, Forrest will continue to serve clients, supported by the professional team profiled on the firm’s website: https://bellinvest.com/about/people/.
Forrest and his wife, Rose Lynn, live in Berkeley with their two girls, Sofia (11) and Nora (6). The family keeps busy in the Berkeley Public Schools and in gymnastics, soccer, choir, and Philippine cultural dance. Forrest serves on the School Site Councils for Willard Middle School and Emerson Elementary School.