Kathryn Bell

Kathy Bell is a fifth generation Floridian and Florida State University alumna (BS and MEd).  She followed in her Maternal Grandmother’s footsteps, a 1931 graduate of Florida State College for Women.  While at FSU, Kathy received a scholarship from the Southern Scholarship Foundation where she lived for the duration of her college career.

Most recently, Kathy was the Chief Executive Officer and Co Owner of Coloney Bell Engineering, a Tallahassee–based forensic engineering and litigation support firm specializing in crash reconstruction and construction defect analysis. After purchasing the firm with her husband in 1996, Kathy assisted in guiding its strategic evolution from eminent domain litigation support to a focused practice in forensic engineering fostering steady growth and attracting top technical talent. In 2021, Kathy and John were approached by a global engineering and consulting firm and ultimately sold Coloney Bell Engineering to J.S. Held.

Prior to Coloney Bell Engineering, she spent 15 years building her expertise in the computer industry.  Ten of those years were at Compaq Computer Corporation where she was a Corporate Sales Trainer and managed Public Sector Sales in Florida. 

Kathy brings over 30 years of board service and community leadership to her work where her collaborative approach, financial acumen, and willingness to engage in detailed analysis have been integral to her community service.  She currently serves on the Greater Tallahassee Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and has previously held the positions of Chamber Board Chair and Treasurer. She currently serves on and is a past Chair and Treasurer of the Southern Scholarship Foundation, where she was honored with both the Alumni Service and the Dr. E. Ray Solomon Service awards.  Kathy was a member of Leadership Tallahassee Class XIV, served as Chair and Treasurer of the Leadership Tallahassee Board and was named 2018 Servant Leader of the Year. She also contributes her expertise to the Blueprint Intergovernmental Agency’s Citizen Advisory Committee. Over the years, Kathy has also served on the Capital Regional Medical Center Board of Trustees, Economic Development Council of Tallahassee/Leon County, Southern Shakespeare Festival, Lafayette Park Neighborhood Association, Girl Scouts and the Because of Becca Foundation.