For athletic directors, school districts, and facility managers across Florida, selecting the right sports equipment often comes down to the expertise and reliability of the local sales representative.
Since 2002, Eric Bell has served as a cornerstone of Bison Inc.’s independent sales representative team, bringing over three decades of hands-on sporting goods industry experience to dealers and institutional clients across the state.
A Career Built on a Lifelong Passion for Athletics
Growing up in Cincinnati, Ohio, as a dedicated sports fan, Bell translated his passion for athletics into a career immediately following high school. Starting in retail sporting goods in 1990, he spent nine years mastering the dealer side of the business before transitioning into manufacturer representation in 1999.
After graduating from the University of Central Florida (UCF), Bell joined Cole Athletic Sales, taking over Bison’s sales footprint for the region. Today, he manages Bison’s territory across the Eastern Time Zone of Florida (covering all areas east of Tallahassee).
"Eric has been a vital partner for Bison for over two decades," says Chris Livingston, Sales Manager at Bison Inc. "He has always excelled at maintaining active accounts, and his recent engagement across 2024 and 2025 has driven exceptional growth for both our brand and our regional dealer network. We deeply appreciate his dedication and hard work."
Trust and Quality: The Foundation of Institutional Sales
In the athletic equipment industry, a representative's reputation depends entirely on the durability and safety of the products they recommend. For Bell, representing Bison provides the confidence needed to build long-term relationships with school boards, park departments, and private complexes.
"To be successful in this industry, you have to sell with complete confidence," Bell explains. "When you recommend Bison, you know you aren't jeopardizing your reputation or your relationship with the customer. Bison’s product knowledge, structural quality, and responsive service cycle allow us to focus on helping facilities build great spaces rather than constantly managing product failures or customer service disputes."
Streamlining Complex Projects with In-House Support
Outfitting gymnasiums and outdoor athletic fields involves more than just delivering hardware—it requires precise technical submittals and customized branding.
Bell credits Bison’s internal support team for making complex installations seamless for local dealers, highlighting the work of Matt Duchek, Bison’s Graphics Manager, in executing custom wall padding and gym branding projects.
"Matt is incredibly responsive and detail-oriented," says Bell. "Custom graphics and padding layouts can easily become overwhelming for a dealer or facility manager, but Matt and the graphics team make the entire process simple and straightforward. Combined with our rapid-response customer service team, it gives our Florida dealers an unmatched level of support."
Dedicated to Family and Community
Outside of his work supporting Florida’s athletic facilities, Bell enjoys spending time with his family. Married since 2001, he and his wife are proud parents of two college students—a junior at the University of Central Florida and a sophomore at Florida State University.
Connect with Your Regional Bison Representative
Whether outfitting a new gymnasium, upgrading safety padding, or specifying tournament-grade basketball and volleyball systems, working with an experienced manufacturer's representative ensures your project meets all safety and performance standards.
To contact Eric Bell for project consultations in Eastern Florida, or to find the authorized Bison representative for your region, visit bisoninc.com or call 1-800-247-7668.