The Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association (AASA) today announced that Larry Magee, chairman, CEO and president of Bridgestone Retail Operations LLC and executive vice president of Bridgestone Americas Inc. (BSAM), will be a keynote speaker at its third annual Vision Conference, March 17 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,” says 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.”

Larry J. 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 Company 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. 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 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 Corporation; 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 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 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 www.aasavision.org.