As one of the most involved members of the Georgia technology industry and the visionary leader behind Intellinet – one of Georgia’s most successful technology companies – it’s hard to believe the company all started back in 1993 in Frank Bell’s apartment on Peachtree Road. Bell has a gift for seeing the intersections between business and community growth, helping start the Georgia CIO of the Year Awards in 1998, encouraging his employees to participate in both technology and non-technology community events, and sponsoring events like TechBridge’s Digital Ball.

Intellinet has been recognized by Microsoft for ‘gold certified’ expertise in six separate technology competencies. Continually evolving, Bell builds strategic relationships, establishes Intellinet vision, strategy and objectives, and cultivates a values-based corporate environment by supporting employee goals, teamwork and accountability. Looking back, it’s also hard to believe he began his career as a financial analyst with Carter & Associates until discovering his passion for technology rather than real estate.

What is your leadership style?

The foundation of Intellinet is our talented, dedicated employees. We accomplish our goals by drawing upon the experience, energy and teamwork of our employees, who consistently drive success by anticipating change and executing solutions with confidence and passion. In a services business, people are the conduit through which value is created. Intellinet believes strongly in developing resources and recruiting highly qualified technical professionals. From the top down, Intellinet continually makes investments in people and believes that a committed team is the key to the company’s growth.

It’s not the leaders that build the business. Instead, it’s the leaders that build the people that build the business. I challenge employees to foster team learning through “intentional apprenticing” - providing mentorship to less experienced team members and building teamwork. This initiative has been hugely successful in helping individual employees grow, develop and progress in their careers.

What traits do you look for in members of your management team?

Many people believe the skills to do the job is the most important thing when they are interviewing for a new position. I would say it’s one-third or less of the equation. Interestingly, the skills to do the job can typically be attained through training. At Intellinet, we are looking for good people who have the skills or can learn the skills to do the job.

So how do you categorize good people? In addition to skills or ability, I believe there are two other aspects to qualifying a candidate – passion and commitment. Why do they want to join the organization? How can you uncover what it is that helps them want to keep promises? Sometimes keeping promises means working in the middle of the night for a systems changeover. Keeping promises is not always easy.

A third aspect is personality and leadership skills. Is the candidate interested in investing in others? At some point, they will be asked to invest in the next generation. We want to make sure we have people committed to sharing their knowledge and the skills they acquire. The culture must perpetuate itself in order for Intellinet to continue to be successful in building a thriving company.

Technical aspects can be taught, but the passion to be part of a culture that is focused on client service must be intrinsic to an individual. In the people business, you cannot design enough metrics and tools to make sure everyone is making the right decisions. You want to make sure employees are making decisions consistent with the values of the organization. There has to be a values compatibility that is innate.

How does your community involvement intertwine with your business strategy?

In 1998, we saw the need to recognize CIOs who made efficient technology decisions and created business value for their companies, and so we launched the Georgia CIO of the Year® Awards to recognize them. In 2003, we expanded the Awards program into the Georgia CIO Leadership Association (GCLA), Georgia’s preeminent professional association for senior technology leaders.

Community is at the heart of Intellinet’s core value of service, and we donate hundreds of hours of service each year to ministry and community organizations. Some of the benefactors include MUST Ministries, Ministry Ventures, Psychological Studies Institute (PSI), Joy House, Habitat for Humanity and Women in Technology (WIT). Intellinet is also a sponsor of the Digital Ball, the annual fundraiser for TechBridge, a non-profit organization that puts technology in the hands of other nonprofits so they can better serve the community.

Intellinet values people and relationships and invests heavily in events in the technology community. Intellinet employees are very active in programs through the Technology Association of Georgia (TAG).

University/College Affiliations: Stetson University, DeLand, FL

Professional organization affiliations: Georgia CIO Leadership Association, Microsoft Partner Advisory Councils, Technology Association of Georgia (TAG)

Community/volunteer involvement: Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce, Buckhead Coalition, Young President's Organization, High Tech Prayer Breakfast Host Committee, Board member for Private Bank of Buckhead, Wesleyan School, and Stetson University Business School.

Most admired leader: Andy Stanley

Best advice to those just starting out in technology: Consider the role of faith and values and how these will help you develop as a leader and achieve results.

Hometown: Atlanta, GA

Favorite Book: Leadership and Self Deception - Arbinger Institute

Favorite Quote: How CAN it be done?

Favorite Location or Recreational Area in Georgia: Lake Lanier

Favorite Hobby: Technology: home automation, gadgets, anything electronic or mechanical

Favorite Executive gadget: Slingbox

Share anything that is unique or special about you: When I was 4 years old, I was almost electrocuted by a popcorn machine. I was trying to unplug the device to turn it off, but was unable to pull the power plug out of the extension cord it was connected to. So I smartly unplugged the extension cord from the wall, proceeded back to the plug I was trying to remove, and put it between my teeth (yes, in my mouth) for a better 'grip.' Meanwhile, my next door neighbor went back to the other end and plugged me and the popcorn machine back into the wall. OUCH! I have been fascinated by everything and anything electronic ever since.