Our speaker today, Jim Bell, M.Ed., served in many capacities during his 20-year career in secondary education: teacher, principal, head of school and various other roles. He has trained and supervised countless educators; he became a sought-after speaker and mentor – working with faculties, school boards, and community groups.

But his heart was always in working with students, and in building relationships with students and parents. As the CEO and owner of Capstone College Advising, Jim has found the perfect role, devoting his decades of experience to the critical task of helping young people create and then reach their goals.

As a longtime Texas educator, Jim has a deep understanding of the college advising process. Over his career, he has helped students earn over $30 million in college scholarships. He has also trained and supervised school counselors, served as a consultant for Christian schools, and he has served as a board member and advisor for many community and educational organizations including: the Tyler Area Chamber of Commerce, Temple Area Chamber of Commerce, Belton Chamber of Commerce, Texas A&M – Central Texas Advisory Council, and the Texas Christian Schools Association.

Jim is a firm believer in the Capstone process, which creates a personalized route to college for each student. He is committed to maintaining Capstone’s high standards and upholding Capstone’s reputation for excellence, while continuing to stay on the cutting edge of the ever-changing world of college admissions and test prep.

He’s also a Capstone fan on a personal level. His wife, Kelley, a high school counselor, previously served as a Capstone advisor, and his son, Clayton, now a senior at East Texas Baptist University, was a Capstone student.

Jim holds a B.S. in History from The University of Texas at Tyler and he earned his M.Ed. from Texas Christian University.