Colonel (Retired) Carl “Skip” Bell is a Georgia native. He was born at Emory University Hospital, received a Bachelor of Science degree from North Georgia College in 1967, and received a Master of Business Information Systems degree from Georgia State University in 1977. Colonel Bell spent a total of 31 years in the Active Army or the Army Reserve. He completed two tours of duty in Vietnam (one as an Armored Cavalry Platoon Leader and Troop Commander, and the second one as a helicopter pilot). He also deployed to Saudi Arabia during Operation Desert Shield.

Colonel Bell is a member of several Veteran organizations, including the Atlanta Vietnam Veterans Business Association, the Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association, the Georgia Vietnam Veterans Alliance, the Society of the First Infantry Division, the 1st Squadron, 4th Cavalry Regiment Association, the Army Ranger Association, and the Veterans of Foreign Wars. In addition, he has served as a Mentor in the Cobb County Veterans Treatment Court, and as a Board Member on the Cobb Veterans Memorial Foundation. His military awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star Medal, the Air Medal, the Purple Heart, the Ranger Tab, and Army Aviator Wings. In 2023, Colonel Bell was inducted into the Georgia Military Veterans Hall of Fame.

In his civilian life, Colonel Bell was in senior management or analyst positions in several different government contracting and computer software companies. He has lived in Cobb County since 1992. He was married for 46 years to Carole. They had three children, four grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.