Rocky Bleier

Rocky Bleier’s life story - a gripping tale of courage on both the football fields of America and the battle fields of Vietnam – has held audiences in rapt attention for years. Yet, the motivational message behind it, detailing how ordinary people can become extraordinary achievers, defines success in the new American century.

With the same optimism, sense of humor and steadfast determination that were his trademarks as a Pittsburgh Steelers running back, Rocky Bleier takes audiences from his early years through his professional career and talks about the lessons he learned along the way….lessons that we all can benefit from.

Not falling within the ideal of what a running back should look like, Bleier had to run harder and play smarter to be able to stand out. Despite his drive and ability to make the big play, the Pittsburgh Steelers only considered him a late round pick. But before the season ended that first year, he was drafted again…this time by the United States Army. At the height of the Vietnam War, Bleier was thrust into combat early and was seriously wounded when his platoon ran into an ambush. Receiving wounds from both rifle fire and grenade fragments in his legs, he was barely able to walk and his professional football career seemed to have ended before it began.

For more than two years, he drove himself. Little by little he overcame obstacles and fought his way back. He not only made the Pittsburgh Steelers, but also eventually became a starting running back on a team that won four Super Bowls and became the greatest football team of the 20th century.

The hard lessons Rocky Bleier learned early in his life, which helped him, overcome adversity and reach his goals, have paid off after football. What makes Rocky Bleier so popular as a speaker is his ability to translate core values in his speech, “Be the Best You Can Be”. With real-world practicality, he points out ways to reach new levels of inner-confidence.

Whether it is career development for corporate executives, enhancing sales and marketing skills for sales teams, offering inspiration for young professionals or practical advice to student athletes, Bleier’s delivery is a winner. His message consistently brings audiences to their feet and re-energizes them for personal and work challenges ahead. His advice is not about avoiding life’s twists and turns but conditioning one’s self to lean into them and to incorporate the resulting energy in realizing goals.

Charles S. Lauer

Charles S. (Chuck) Lauer, was the publisher of Modern Healthcare for more than 30 years, taking it from a monthly money-losing proposition when Crain Communications purchased the magazine in 1976 to the nation's leading healthcare news weekly. Known throughout the healthcare industry and beyond as a leader, Chuck Lauer is now retired from Crain Communications and Modern Healthcare. He is an author, public speaker and award-winning businessman who is in demand for his motivational messages to top companies nationwide.

Chuck Lauer’s career includes early success as a retail representative for Life Magazine at Time, Inc., and later as a drug merchandising manager of Look. The consummate salesman, he served as Midwest Sales Manager for two McGraw-Hill trade publications and was general sales manager for the publications of the American Medical Association where he became the AMA's director of communications. He also held executive management positions with Family Media, Inc. and Petersen Publishing.

A much-sought after speaker, Chuck Lauer is the author of three books: Soar with the Eagles, Reach for the Stars and Decency. In his writing, Chuck Lauer shares his wisdom about the qualities that define personal success, principles of success in action and anecdotes from both personal and professional life that hit home. Part poet, part hard-nosed businessman, Chuck Lauer provides insights that echo a strong set of personal values. Prior to his retirement, his bi-weekly Lauer's Letter in Modern Healthcare was filled with practical power, emphasizing his motto and his mantra that customer service is everything.

Chuck Lauer has spoken to dozens of organizations including the American College of Healthcare Executives, Blue Cross – Blue Shield, HEANO, Hewlett-Packard, Konica, National Rehabilitation Hospital, North Oaks Health System, Amerisource Bergen, Hackensack University Medical Center, IBM, Maryland Hospital Association and Hill-Rom and many others. He has been presented with numerous awards including the Michael E. Debakey Award for Achievements in Healthcare, Diversity Champion Award, National Healthcare Award from B'nai B'rith International, a lifetime fellowship from the American College of Medical Administrators, Honorary Fellow and CEO of the Year from the American College of Healthcare Executives and the distinguished service award for leadership and service from Ohio State University.

A graduate of Middlebury College in Vermont, Chuck Lauer served in the United States Army as a corporal during the Korean War and continued his postgraduate education at the Northwestern University Medill School of Journalism in Evanston, Illinois.