Mr. Bearss was a division manager with Chrysler Corporation when he joined Borg-Warned Ltd. as managing director of its transmission division in the United Kingdom.
He later served as vice president for Borg-Warner's automotive component group in Detroit. In 1982, he was named chairman and CEO of Braun Engineering Company, Detroit.
A recipient of the Ohio Governors Awards, he published a series of articles on manufacturing processes and is a frequent workshop lecturer.