Pete Bell has extensive experience in managing disaster restoration efforts for corporate and retail businesses in the United States and abroad. In his role as Founder, Co-CEO and Chairman of Cotton Holdings, he leads his team in strategic expansion and exploration for new growth opportunities.

Bell co-founded Cotton with Daryn Ebrecht in 1996, serving as CEO since inception, with a vision to develop a single-source disaster solutions company and the goal to “never say no.” Under Bell’s leadership, Cotton has been instrumental in the recovery and restoration efforts stemming from the world’s most damaging catastrophes of the past three decades, including high-impact weather events and other natural disasters, wildfires, terrorism, vandalism and environmental mishaps. Beyond disasters, Cotton provides comprehensive logistical support solutions and consultation services to a host of clients in verticals including energy, government, education, medical, infrastructure and more.

Bell has guided Cotton’s steady growth to amass over 50 facilities across North America, including official response centers in Mexico and Puerto Rico. Combined with an increased footprint, Bell has led the M&A team in multiple successful acquisitions into the Cotton Holdings umbrella, bringing on partners to further grow the footprint and serve more communities across the country and beyond.

Bell holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from Sam Houston State University, where he served as president of Sigma Chi Fraternity. In 2008, he was the recipient of the Sam Houston State University Distinguished Alumni Award. In partnership with Cotton, Bell has also established the Cotton Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to delivering hope and comfort to children who are the victims of natural disasters and other life-changing events with the goal of restoring hope.