A Fayetteville native, Bell began working for the Department of Correction in 1973 as a correctional programs assistant at Greene Correctional Center in Maury. In 1986, he became an assistant superintendent at Duplin Correctional Center, and in 1990, superintendent of the Wayne prison.

"Mike Bell has always shown a keen interest and enthusiasm about corrections," Correction Secretary Mack Jarvis said. "He brings to Pender a broad and deep background of experience that will be a tremendous asset to the staff and inmates at the prison."