Welcoming Two New Principals to the Bell Leadership Team

We’re excited to share some big news at Bell Engineering—our leadership team is growing! Today, we’re proud to announce that Megan Hogan, Certified Professional Services Marketer (CPSM) and David Howell, Professional Engineer (PE) have joined our firm’s ownership group as new Principals. This milestone is more than just a title change; it is an acknowledgement of the integral role they play in our company. It also reflects Bell’s ongoing commitment to strengthening our firm with leaders who understand our values, our clients, and the communities we serve.

Why This Matters

As a company rooted in local, Kentucky ownership, we believe in building leadership from within. Promoting Megan and David is a natural step forward, recognizing the impact they’ve already made and the vision they bring to our future.

“Our firm continues to thrive because of the talented people who lead it,” said Kelly Gillespie, President. “Both Megan and David have shown remarkable dedication to our clients and our team. We’re thrilled to welcome them as Principals.”

About Our New Principals

Megan joined Bell’s Lexington office as Director of Marketing in 2011 to lead the firm’s marketing and business development efforts. She quickly became a key contributor delivering a fresh, organized approach to proposal and marketing collateral development. Her leadership strengthened client relationships and promoted company branding and visibility at industry events. Today, Megan offers over 20 years of experience and becomes the first female owner in the firm’s history. As a Principal, Megan will take on expanded responsibilities in strategic planning, mentoring, and firm-wide initiatives.

David became part of the Bell team in as an intern in our Hopkinsville office in 2006 while pursuing a Civil Engineering degree at the University of Kentucky. In 2008, he began working full-time in the Lexington office while completing his Master’s degree. Upon graduating, he moved back to his hometown and joined the Hopkinsville office. David’s career has progressed through every level of the organization—from intern to owner. His passion for innovation and problem-solving has made a lasting impact on both our internal culture and the communities we serve. In this new role as Principal, David will help guide our technical direction and long-term growth strategies.

Looking Ahead

We’re excited about what this means for the future of Bell. As we continue to evolve, our reputation has been shaped through strong relationships, technical excellence, and ongoing innovation. Welcoming these two talented professionals into our ownership group reinforces our commitment to remaining community-focused and client-driven, further positioning Bell to meet the region’s future needs. We are excited to continue building a firm where leadership is grown from within and where long-term investment in our people drives long-term value for our clients.

Congratulations to Megan and David on this well-deserved achievement!