Richard F. Teerlink, currently a board member of Harley-Davidson Inc., served as chairman from May 1996 until December 1998. He was president and chief executive officer from March 1989 until June 1997. His leadership is widely credited as the reason this fabled brand has regained market share and improved product quality so dramatically.

Mr. Teerlink joined Harley-Davidson in August 1981 as chief financial officer and was appointed to the Board of Directors in 1982. In 1986, Mr. Teerlink helped guide the firm back to public ownership.

Prior to joining Harley-Davidson, he held key executive positions with Herman Miller Inc. of Zeeland, Michigan, and RTE Corporation of Waukesha, Wisconsin.

He did his undergraduate work at Bradley University and earned an MBA from the University of Chicago in 1976. Mr. Teerlink is a Certified Public Accountant. He serves on the Board of Directors of Firstar Bank Milwaukee and Johnson Controls. He is also an active board member and participant in many business and community organizations.

Mr. Teerlink has been honored by many organizations, such as the Harvard Business School Alumni Club of Wisconsin, the American Jewish Committee, the Association for Corporate Growth, as well as the Sales and Marketing Executives International.