Laura Bell, bell's brewery

Laura Bell has been named chief executive officers of Bell's Brewery Inc.

(Courtesy of Bell's Brewery Inc.)

KALAMAZOO, MI -- Laura Bell has been named chief executive officer of Bell's Brewery Inc.

Bell will oversee all operations and planning for Bell's, which is considered the seventh largest craft brewery in the United States, and its sister brewery in Escanaba, Upper Hand Brewery.

Laura Bell is the daughter of Bell's founder Larry Bell.

Larry Bell will continue as the company's president and remain active in various projects, including long-term planning and overseeing the overall direction of the business with Laura reporting directly to him.

Laura Bell, 31, was 2 months old when her father founded the company in 1985.

She is a co-owner of the brewery and was previously its vice president. The role of CEO is new to Bell's.

Bell's originated in Kalamazoo and maintains its Eccentric Cafe downtown. Its production operation is just east of the city in Comstock Township.

"This marks the beginning of the next chapter for our family-owned business and I am very proud of the leader Laura has become," Larry Bell said in a news release.

Bell's is the well-known maker of Oberon, Two-Hearted Ale and a growing portfolio of craft beers with an expanding distribution throughout the United States.

"I am honored and humbled at this opportunity," Laura Bell stated in the press release. "Our team has done an amazing job and it's exciting to think about where we go next not only as a brewery, but also as a company that is deeply committed to its community, its employees and partners."

She also said she has learned a lot from her father "and I look forward to continuing the work he started in 1985."

Larry Bell said, "When I started this, I didn't know that I would be so fortunate to have a partner that shared my passion for our brewery and the people who make it what it is."

Laura started working at the brewery full-time in 2007. Since then, she has spent time in sales, beer production and marketing. As vice president, she oversaw the brewery's Business Insights, Government Compliance, Marketing, Sales and Specialty Brewing departments.