RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C. – The Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association (AASA) has announced that Larry Magee, chairman, CEO and president of Bridgestone Retail Operations LLC (BRSO) and executive vice president of Bridgestone Americas Inc. (BSAM), will be a keynote speaker at its third annual Vision Conference on Wednesday, March 17, 2010, at the InterContinental Chicago O’Hare, Rosemont, Ill.
“The national service chain segment is critical to many of our members, the full-service automotive aftermarket suppliers,” said Steve Handschuh, president and COO of AASA. “Larry’s insights and perspective on this vital industry sector will be of great interest to Vision Conference attendees.”
Magee has served as chairman, CEO and president of Bridgestone Retail Operations LLC since 2001. He is responsible for the largest network of company-owned automotive service providers in the world — more than 2,100 tire and vehicle service centers across the United States — including Firestone Complete Auto Care, Tires Plus, ExpertTire and Wheel Works store locations. Credit First National Association and Firestone Complete Fleet Care operations are also part of BSRO.
Magee has held various positions within the Bridgestone Americas’ family of companies during his 34 years of service. In 1975, he began his career as a store associate at The Firestone Tire & Rubber Co. while he was attending school. Prior to graduation, Magee became manager of a Firestone company-owned store in Houston, Texas.
From 1981 through 1992, Magee held various positions ranging from store supervisor in Houston to general manager of National Tire Stores in Chicago, Ill. In 1996, Magee was appointed zone director of the South Central region.
Magee returned to Chicago in 1998 as the president of Bridgestone Firestone Retail Division. Soon after, Magee became president of Bridgestone Firestone Retail Operations and vice president of Bridgestone Firestone Inc. After a corporate reorganization in December 2001, he took on his current role.
Magee graduated from the University of Houston with a bachelor’s degree in business and industrial organization.
Magee is a member of several boards including Bridgestone Americas Inc.; Bridgestone Retail Operations LLC; Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations LLC; Bridgestone Canada Inc.; Morgan Tire & Auto Inc.; Morgan Equity Investment Inc.; Bridgestone Mercantile Inc.; Wabash National Corp.; Coalition for Auto Repair Equality; and Automotive Aftermarket Foundation.
AASA Vision Conference 2009, exclusive to AASA member companies, will kick-off with a Welcome Reception on the evening of Tuesday, March 16, following meetings of the AASA Board of Governors and AASA councils.
The Vision Conference program will begin on Wednesday morning, with keynote addresses by aftermarket leaders, best practice presentations by members and panel discussions of trends and challenges affecting automotive aftermarket suppliers. The conference will conclude at 5 p.m. with a Networking Reception.
Additional AASA council meetings are scheduled for Thursday, March 18, at the InterContinental following the Vision Conference.
Details about the AASA Vision 2010 Conference, including keynote speakers, panelists, Vision Workgroup Sessions and online registration, are available at the Conference Web site: www.aasavision.org.
