Prior to joining state government in May 1999, Ron Bell completed a 26-year military career in the United States Navy, which included both operational and acquisition duties. He holds a B.S. degree from the University of Richmond, Richmond, VA and M.S.M. degree from the Naval Postgraduate School, Monterey, CA. He is a graduate of the University of Virginia’s Darden Graduate School for Business, Executives Program and is certified as a Professional Contracts Manager by the National Contract Management Association.