Joe Bella

My work history is primarily in the Mississippi Army National Guard where I rose to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. During my 37 years of military service, I served two tours in the Middle East and traveled to Europe for Military Operations. Duties included serving as the communications staff officer for an Expeditionary Sustainment Command. My experience as a communications officer involved planning, maintaining and securing all communications assets (computers, network and phones) ranging from a single unit to multiple units for operations consisting of single unit to multi unit and multi nations military operations. While serving, I also worked as a Federal Technician, with 31 years of Federal Service. During this time I was the Database Administrator for the database of record for the Mississippi Army National Guard. Other duties included computer system administration, network administration, webpage administration as well as other tasks assigned and troubleshooting for numerous systems. Prior to my Military and Federal service I worked with my father in the newspaper, grocery and office supply businesses, which provided me with a hard earned business background. I earned my Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science from the University of Southern Mississippi. My wife Rita and I currently reside in Brandon Mississippi.

30+ years in the wireless telecom industry, enginerring, construction and management. Owned and operated an automotive repair shop. Have worked in the newspaper industry as an area sales manger for Gannett. Operated a one hour KISS photo lab.

Joe Bella has over 40 years of experience in the newspaper industry on the supplier side. He began his career as a machinist apprentice for a graphic arts machine builder but gravitated through several roles from Customer Service through General Manager, eventually becoming President and co-owner. As President he oversaw the company’s successful growth and evolution of new products as technology for printing newspapers changed from the late ‘70s through today. In this role he traveled throughout the Americas and Europe negotiating contracts and deals with fellow suppliers, commercial printers and corporate newspaper groups. Joe left to start his own manufacturing supply business in 2004 and has since also started two other companies in retail and as dealer agency for machinery for the automotive supply and packaging industries. He also has experience with private company sales and acquisitions.