Rich Teerlink, former chairman and CEO of Harley-Davidson Inc., was on the special committee that chose Pieper for the award. Teerlink said, "There were many amazing individuals considered, but Dick Pieper quickly rose to the top. All of us were blown away by his servant leadership, his integrity and his genuine commitment to improving his community and the broader nation. He is a perfect example of how one person can truly make a profound difference. We need more people like him."