A highlight of this fall's event promises to be the inspiration of opening speaker Steve Ford, son of former President Gerald Ford. Ford, an actor and horse enthusiast, will present “Inside The White House And Hollywood...Getting To The Top With Character.” During his non-political presentation, Ford will explain the tools of his success in and outside Washington, DC. With a focus on such issues as the value of a strong family unit, living life with values and character, setting and juggling priorities, and making the right choices in life, his presentation is guaranteed to be entertaining, enlightening, insightful and inspirational.

Steve Ford has enjoyed a successful acting career for over 20 years appearing in over 800 hours of film and television productions. He has worked on over 30 films and many guest leads in television. Most recently you would have seen Steve appearing in the hit movie “Blackhawk Down.” Steve’s other film credits include “Contact,” “Armageddon,” “Starship Troopers,” “Eraser,” “Heat,” “Carrie II,” “Young Doctors in Love” and “When Harry Met Sally” as Meg Ryan’s boyfriend. He has also done numerous guest leads in television show such as “Suddenly Susan,” “J.A.G.,” “Dark Skies,” “Flipper,” “Walker Texas Ranger,” “Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman,” “Baywatch,” “Mr. and Mrs. Smith,” “The Cape,” “Pensacola,” “The Sentinal,” “Columbo,” “Murder She Wrote,” and “Happy Days.” Steve also hosted a full season, 22 episodes, of the prime time series “Secret Service” for NBC. Early in Steve’s career, he spent six years playing the character Andy Richards on the Emmy Award winning daytime show “The Young and The Restless.”

Before becoming an actor in 1979, Steve worked on the professional rodeo circuit as a team roper and still ropes today in his spare time. He owns a ranch in California. Steve was involved in the thoroughbred race horse industry for years during the 1980s and 90s as an owner, breeder, racing manager and race track executive as Associate Vice President of Turfway Park Race Course in Kentucky. He represented Turfway Park for five years in all of their TV and radio advertising and served as the track spokesperson.

During the spring of 1994 Steve resigned as the race track Vice President and returned full time to his acting career. He is also highly sought after nationally as a motivational speaker for corporate events relating his inspiring experiences during his family’s stay in the White House and his years in Hollywood. Steve served three years on the Board of Directors of The National Cowboy Hall of Fame in Oklahoma City and currently serves on the board for The President Gerald R. Ford Museum. He is the third son of former President and Mrs. Gerald R. Ford.