GRAND RAPIDS — D.A. Blodgett – St. John’s announced that Joel Bell has been appointed its new President and CEO.
Bell had served as the organization’s Chief Programs Officer for two years before this appointment by the Board of Directors. Bell was chosen after the organization’s search committee and external executive search firm conducted a state-wide review of candidates following the May departure of its previous CEO.
A licensed social worker with more than 20 years of experience, Bell had served in leadership roles at Bethany Christian Services and the State of Michigan. Bell has a Master of Social Work degree from Western Michigan University and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Calvin University. Bell has also served as an adjunct professor at Western for ten years.
“As Chief Programs Officer, Joel demonstrated exceptional leadership and dedication to our mission, and with extensive experience in child and family services, he is very well-prepared to lead DABSJ,” said India Manns, chairperson of the DABSJ board of directors. “He is passionate about the mission and tremendously committed to the organization and the welfare of all children. He is eager to take on the challenges of the position and lead the organization into the next era. The Board of Directors is extremely excited for Joel to be the next leader.”
A Grand Rapids native, Bell and his wife Rebecca have six children, one of whom was adopted through foster care. As a toddler, Bell spent time in Nigeria, where his mother served as a missionary.
“Knowing how dedicated this team is, I’m honored to now serve as CEO,” said Joel Bell. “There are two primary reasons that I’m here at DABSJ: the people we serve and the people I get to work with. I’m a social worker at heart, so I love working in a place where I get to work with others who are committed to our mission and are striving to provide excellent care to families and children.”
Bell’s appointment comes nearly one year after the 137-year-old organization cut the ribbon on its 43,000-square-foot, $13.9-m headquarters facility on its expanded 36-acre wooded campus at 2172 Dean Lake Avenue in Northeast Grand Rapids. The two-story building serves as the nonprofit’s administrative hub and integrates all children and family services into one location, a first since the 2010 merger that brought together D.A. Blodgett for Children and St. John’s Home into one entity.
Founded in 1887, DABSJ impacts over 16,000 lives annually through behavioral health, family preservation, foster care, adoption, psychiatric, and residential treatment services. With 15 programs encompassing a continuum of care, DABSJ addresses a wide range of complex needs for children and families in West Michigan, striving every day to build an even stronger community.
