Owner Eric Watson agrees.
"Dean has a heart of gold [and] he's passionate about the Warriors. He lives and breathes rugby league. His ability to build trust in players while keeping his distance is to be admired. He's such an asset."
Bell's office is uncluttered. Motivational posters adorn the walls ("You're either part of the steamroller or part of the pavement; The only thing that endures is character") and two huge whiteboards dominate. One is a year planner, while on the other - about the size of a bus billboard - Bell has written every current player at the Warriors, from the wider NRL squad to the young guns grouped by birth year.
"It keeps the overall picture in mind," Bell says. "And where we are at. Though it's the board behind that really counts," he adds with a grin.
He's not joking. It's a custom made double sliding lockable board, and all the plans, purchases and prospects for 2015 and beyond are hidden. Bell is famously secretive but has to be in a job where a rumour or leak could kill a proposed deal.
"Things change on a daily basis," he says. "And the salary cap makes it highly complicated."
The foundation Warriors captain has filled a variety of roles since he returned to Mt Smart in 2007, though recruitment and development has been the common theme.
Bell has a team of 10 paid personnel, with scouts scattered across Auckland and New Zealand.
He can be a polarising figure among fans ("you will never please everybody; it used to worry me but it doesn't now," he says) and is unscathed by the turmoil at the Warriors over the past few seasons.
He's confident the club "now get most of the big calls [around recruitment] right" and Tomkins might be a case in point.
"Matt [Elliott] didn't know much about him but I pushed hard," Bell says. "When they were talking transfer fees, senior management were getting a bit nervous but I thought there was no use sitting on the fence. You have to make some tough decisions."
Bell doesn't solely make recruitment decisions - the head coach has the biggest say - but the coaching turnover since 2011 has meant his views have been highly influential. Money is a huge factor, with lucrative offers needed to entice Australians to Auckland.
"Everyone says, 'why did you get Ryan Hoffman when you have already got a lot of back rowers?' But you also need to improve the quality of your depth as well," Bell says. "He's not a gamble and I want Andrew to select a 17 every week and know what he will get out of them."
Like other senior officials at the club, Bell is excited about the future, especially under McFadden.
"I don't want to make silly statements - we have probably done too much of that in the recent past, too much unnecessary PR - but I can see potential around here," he says. "It's a word I hate using with Warriors teams because you hear it too much but I feel we are on the verge of something special, something sustainable that will get us consistent success."
Bell's recruitment hits and misses
Hits
Thomas Leuluai
Many doubted the wisdom of bringing Leuluai back from the UK Super League but it was an inspired decision as the former Wigan player has become one of the squad's most valuable members.
Konrad Hurrell
The Warriors fended off interest from rugby and other NRL teams to sign the 1st XV schoolboy star, who has developed into a brilliant attacking weapon.
Sam Tomkins
It's still early days, but Tomkins could prove a shrewd buy, despite the huge outlay. He has the potential to develop into one of the best fullbacks in Warriors history.
Misses
Todd Lowrie
He set a good example in training and off the field but offered little on the field and kept better players out of the team.
Dane Nielsen
Yet another Storm player who has failed to flourish outside Melbourne. A 'marquee' signing currently in reserve grade.
Jordan Baldwinson and Mason Tonks
It's hard to understand why these 'elite juniors' from Leeds were brought here. They've yet to make a mark and Auckland produces more young league talent than possibly any city in the world.
