One of the greatest running backs of all time, Franco Harris is a Pittsburgh Steelers legend who exemplifies success on and off the field. He set or tied more than two dozen NFL records, made nine Pro Bowl appearances and was named Super Bowl MVP. In addition, Harris was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility. Off the grid-iron, Harris is the owner of Super Bakery, Inc., and recently saved a piece of history when he purchased the failing Parks Sausage Company, the first publicly-held black-owned business in the U.S. The strategic thinking and perseverance that Harris embodied on the football field have also proven hallmarks of his success as a business leader. Harris' corporate achievements are largely the result of his hands-on approach to management, from the boardroom to the manufacturing floor to the marketplace.

After football, Harris applied himself as diligently to his college degree in Food Service and Administration, and his "life's work" these days encompasses an All-Pro business owner of two companies, Super Bakery, Inc. of Pittsburgh, PA and Parks Sausages in Baltimore, MD. Super Bakery is known as "The Leader in Bakery Nutrition", marketing its Super Donuts and Super Buns to school systems in all 50 states. The Super products are MVP-powered with mineral, vitamin, and protein fortification and are especially popular with students. Super Bakery has recently introduced a new line of reduced fat, low fat, and fat free baked goods under the banner of Ultra Baking, "Better Baking for Better Choices", and plans to take the line to both food service and retail marketplace. He's even been known to hand deliver Super Bakery products from time to time. 

Recently, Harris purchased Parks Sausages, a Baltimore-based company rich in history and tradition, and remembered in the Northeast for its famous advertising slogan, "More Parks Sausages, Mom, Please!" Parks is recognized in retail for its specialty breakfast and dinner sausages, and, with a sparkling 133,000 square foot plant, is gearing up to accommodate food service as well. Franco is a hands-on owner who is involved in the dat-to-day operations of both companies, with a special emphasis on sales marketing.

Throughout his careers Harris has been very involved in community service and received numerous honors, including the following: recognition as a distinguished alumnus of Penn State University, the Whizzer White Humanitarian Award, The New York Association of the Blind Humanitarian Award, The American Academy of Achievement, "Golden Plate Award", the New Vectors' David L. Lawrence Award, and the National Urban League's Whitney M. Young Award. He was also named NFL "Man of the Year" in 1976.

At the lecture podium, Harris delivers a stirring program about what it takes to survive and thrive in business. His voice is one of practical experience. He also speaks of the importance of social responsibility in corporate dealings. The recipient of nearly a dozen awards for volunteer work, Harris provides the perfect example for any corporation that wants to give back to the community.