MANCHESTER, N.H., August 12, 2025 – FIRST®, a global robotics community that prepares young people for the future, is pleased to announce the appointment of Andy Bell as Senior Director of Business Innovations, a new role created to accelerate innovation and identify opportunities for transformative growth. As FIRST continues to expand its impact, this new position will play a pivotal role in shaping the organization’s future. Bell will lead a dedicated team focused on identifying new strategic opportunities, forming high-impact partnerships, and advancing innovative business models that align with the organization’s long-term goals.
“This new role is essential to furthering the mission of FIRST,” said Chris Moore, CEO, FIRST. “We are entering a period of exciting transformation, and Andy brings the perfect blend of strategic leadership, entrepreneurial experience, and deep passion for STEM education. His track record of building innovative programs and scalable partnerships makes him a natural choice to lead our Business Innovations team. We are thrilled to welcome him to FIRST.”
Bell brings more than 25 years of experience at the intersection of engineering, education, and innovation. He has held senior leadership positions at LEGO® Education, National Instruments, and most recently served as CEO of Thinkery, a nonprofit STEAM learning hub. His work has included developing global product strategies, advancing equity in STEM access, and forging collaborative ecosystems across industries and communities.
Bell’s connection to FIRST runs deep, spanning nearly two decades. From helping develop the original FIRST® Robotics Competition control system while at National Instruments, to mentoring teams, serving as a judge, and sitting on the FIRST Executive Advisory Board, he brings both institutional knowledge and a personal commitment to the organization’s mission.
“Joining FIRST in this capacity is a full-circle moment for me,” said Andy Bell. “FIRST has profoundly shaped my professional journey, and I’m honored to step into a role that allows me to give back and help chart its next chapter. I look forward to working across the organization and with external partners to explore bold ideas, test new models, and ensure even more young people can access the life-changing power of FIRST.”
As FIRST continues to grow as a catalyst for preparing the next generation of science and technology leaders, Bell’s appointment marks a significant step in reinforcing its commitment to growth, innovation and future-focused thinking.
To learn more about careers at FIRST, please visit https://www.firstinspires.org/about/careers.
About FIRST®
FIRST® is a robotics community that prepares young people for the future through a suite of inclusive, team-based robotics programs for ages 4-18 (PreK-12) that can be facilitated in school or in structured after-school programs. Boosted by a global support system of volunteers, educators, and sponsors that include over 200 of the Fortune 500 companies, teams operate under a signature set of FIRST Core Values to conduct research, fundraise, design, build, and showcase their achievements during annual challenges.
An international not-for-profit organization founded by accomplished inventor Dean Kamen in 1989, FIRST has a proven impact on STEM learning, interest, and skill-building well beyond high school. Participants and alumni of FIRST programs gain access to education and career discovery opportunities, connections to exclusive scholarships and employers, and a place in the FIRST community for life. Learn more at firstinspires.org.