Guest Speakers

Joe McAleese is President and CEO of Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems LLC (BCVS). With headquarters in Elyria, Ohio, Bendix is a member of the Munich, Germany-based Knorr-Bremse group, the leading worldwide supplier of pneumatic braking and related safety systems for commercial vehicle and railroad applications.

A seasoned executive with diverse industry experience, McAleese has enjoyed a strong 25 year career at Bendix and Honeywell / AlliedSignal (owners of Bendix prior to January 2002). He has spent 20 years with the Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems business, and has held numerous leadership roles including Vice President - Finance, Vice President - OE Enterprise, Vice President - Six Sigma, Vice President - E-Business and Vice President - Operations. McAleese has been President of Bendix since May, 2001, and added the CEO title in October, 2003.

In addition to his role at Bendix, McAleese is the 2008 chairman of the board of governors for HDMA (Heavy Duty Manufacturers Association), a board member of the Motor and Equipment Manufacturers Association (MEMA), and a frequent speaker at industry events. He also has been appointed to a number of civic and educational organizations, including the Bowling Green State University International Business Advisory Board and the Lorain County Community College Foundation Board.

McAleese holds a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting and a Master of Accountancy degree, both from Bowling Green State University in Ohio.

A resident of Avon Lake, Ohio, McAleese has been married to his wife Laurie since June 1995. They have two children; Kyle born in October 1997, and Ashley born in July 2001.

Larry Helms is a nationally recognized and respected expert in the field of industrial psychology and personal development programs. He holds a Ph.D. from The University of Michigan and a post-doctoral certificate in management from Harvard University. He also studied at the University of Belgrade in Yugoslavia and is a former Fulbright Scholar in Eastern Europe. In 1982, the American Adult Education Association selected Dr. Helms as their "Adult Educator Of The Year". In 1988, the National Speakers' Association awarded Larry their prestigious "Certified Speaking Professional" designation.

Early in his career Larry was a public school teacher and coach in Michigan and later a principal and superintendent of school in Arctic Alaska. He later served as a university professor, dean and vice-president. After leaving the academic world he became vice-president of training for a large regional bank and is currently the executive vice-president of Western Training Systems, a personal and business development company specializing in the practical application of industrial psychology.

A former collegiate and interpretative speech champion, Dr. Helms has been called an "edu-tainer" and "fun-tastic" for his ability to weave humor into serious training messages.