PALM BEACH, Fla. – Northwood University will recognize William “Bill” Grote III, chairman and CEO of Grote Industries, as one of six nationally known business men and women at its upcoming 30th Annual Outstanding Business Leader (OBL) Awards Ceremony. The gala event is scheduled for 7 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 23, 2010 at The Breakers in Palm Beach, Fla.

Grote Industries is a world leader in high-performance LED lighting technology, putting the first LED lamps on the road 20 years ago. Located in Madison, Ind., Grote was founded more than 108 years ago and maintains operations around the globe. A family-owned company steeped in tradition, Grote Industries has a continuing focus on innovation as well as a strong commitment to providing quality products and service. Grote Industries employs hundreds of workers in every phase of production, from design and engineering to manufacturing, testing, marketing and distribution.

Grote began his career at Grote Industries as a district manager, then worked his way through several sales and marketing positions. In 1969, as the third generation of family took the helm at Grote, he was elected to the board of directors. In 1972 Grote was appointed director of OEM sales and in 1979 was promoted to vice president of sales and marketing. This diverse experience served him well when he became president and CEO in 1989. Since 2004, Grote has served as the company’s chairman and CEO.

A 1962 graduate of Xavier University, Grote is extremely active in industry affairs. He has served as a past president of the Transportation Safety Equipment Institute (TSEI), a former chairman of Motor Equipment Manufacturer's Association (MEMA) and has held board seats with the Automotive President's Council, Automotive Sales Council and the Heavy Duty Business Forum.

In 2007, Grote was the recipient of the prestigious Automotive Warehouse Distributors Association (AWDA) Leader of the Year Award, honoring aftermarket professionals who have contributed to the industry in a unique and significant way.