Biography

A product of the South Bend Community School Corporation, Eugene Bella attended Colfax Elementary School, Muessel Junior High School, Central High School and LaSalle High School (from where he graduated in 1971).

Eugene continued his formal education at Indiana University, South Bend, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science in 1976. A former UAW Local 5 member, he was employed at AM General Corporation at Plant 8 while working his way through college. During the past 6 years, he was enrolled and successfully completed numerous courses in the computer field. He earned a Career Development Certificate in 1999 from Ivy Tech State College, South Bend.

Eugene is employed by Press, Ganey Associates, Inc. as an Electronic Data Administrator. He is formerly an Associate Technical Support Specialist for the Information Resources Department of Holy Cross Health System Corp. He also served as a Caseworker for the state of Indiana in the Elkhart Office of the Department of Family and Children (Family and Social Services Administration) and, as an AFSCME union trustee, was selected by employees of the state of Indiana to represent them in wage negotiations.

Eugene has been politically active in various political campaigns since 1968 as a volunteer in numerous capacities. He was most active in campaigns of Eugene McCarthy, Birch Bayh, Vance Hartke, Jerry Miller and Thomas Ward.

Eugene Bella is the son of Suzanne T. and the late Albert "Ed" Bella. Eugene and his spouse Judy have been married almost 20 years. His lifelong family nickname is "Speed".