W.O. Bell is a Director of Consultant Relations for Great Lakes Advisors. His primary responsibility is to further develop relationships between Great Lakes Advisors and the consultant and plan sponsor community.

W.O. began his industry career in 1981. Prior to joining the firm in 2012, he served as a Managing Partner at Westwood Distributors. Before working with Westwood, W.O. spent 17 years as the Chief of Management Policy at the Florida State Board of Administration (SBA) and was responsible for investment management selection, consultant relations, and investment policy development. He developed investment policy guidelines for the Florida Hurricane Catastrophe Fund and the Florida College Prepaid Fund, as well as the investment policies for the Florida SBA. He has received national recognition for his work with minority and women owned investment firms and also served with two former Florida Governors and the Insurance Commissioner and Treasurer of Florida. 

W.O. is a past member of several investment and advisory committees including Chair of the City of Tallahassee Investment Fund, and continues to serve on the Advisory Committee and Education Committee of FPPTA and the Advisory Board of GAPPT, among others.

Education and Professional Credentials 

• Industry Start: 1981
• Chipola College, BA
• Florida State University, BA
• Florida Bankers Association Management School, BA