TMW Systems, Inc., a provider of enterprise transportation software for the logistics and trucking industries, released details of the guest speakers for its annual TransForum user conference and exhibition, which runs from September 20-23 at the Gaylord Opryland in Nashville, Tenn.
Headlining as conference keynote speaker on Monday, September 21, is retired Army Lt. Gen. Russel L. Honore. Honore is recognized for his role in the Gulf Coast military relief efforts following Hurricane Katrina. The general’s topic will be “Leadership and Preparedness in the 21st Century.”
Clyde Fessler, retired vice president of business development for Harley-Davidson Motor Company, is the featured general session speaker on Tuesday, September 22. Fessler, a popular and sought-after motivational speaker, played an integral part in the dramatic Harley-Davidson business turnaround over the past 24 years. He led the establishment of the Harley Owners Group, which now has more than one-half million members and is the largest enthusiast club in the world.
Named as one of The Best Lawyers in America for 2009, James M. Hill, partner and executive chairman of Benesch, Friedlander, Coplan & Aronoff, LLP, has assembled and will lead a distinguished panel on mergers & acquisitions, titled “Purchase Price-Filling the Gap Between Buyers and Sellers.” Designed for company principals and senior executives, this panel session will also feature Andy Ahern, chief executive officer of Ahern Associates, and David Hallett, managing director at Lazard Middle Market, formerly Goldsmith Agio Helms.
Dr. Michael J. Economides, professor of chemical and biomolecular engineering at the University of Houston, returns by popular demand for his third year with TransForum. He is a respected and engaging speaker on the global petroleum industry and in particular, on the social and business impact of fuel and energy policies. He has written numerous articles appearing in international magazines and is the author of the best seller, “The Color of Oil.” His latest book is “From Soviet to Putin and Back: The Dominance of Energy in Today’s Russia.”
Wall Street will be represented at TransForum again this year by an analyst from Robert W. Baird & Co. Benjamin J. Hartford, CFA, is a senior equity research associate with Baird’s Transportation/Logistics team. Prior to joining Baird in 2005, he was a financial advisor at Merrill Lynch and an intern at Smith, Barney and Patton Fund Management. Hartford’s topic is the “State of the Logistics Industry” from a Wall Street analyst’s perspective.
Mark Winkler, vice president of strategic planning & business for Bridgestone Bandag, LLC, has been involved with the North American trucking industry for many years. He shares his experience and strategies for “Identifying and Capturing Profitable Customer Segments for Your Business” in a breakout session on Tuesday, September 22.
“Strategic Acquisitions-A Growth Strategy for Today’s Marketplace,” will be led by Duff H. Swain, president of Trincon Group. Swain and his consulting staff provide guidance for motor carriers on profitability strategies, human resources issues and new business development.
This year marks the 23rd annual user conference and exhibition, now known as TransForum, for TMW Systems. The event includes customers of the former Maddocks Systems and TMT Software companies, as well as those of Integrated Decision Support Corporation, all firms acquired by TMW since 2006. Almost 1,000 attendees have already registered for this year’s event from the U.S., Canada and Europe.
