Larry Pickett, Sr. is a multifaceted leader, media executive, and community advocate. His professional journey is defined by a 17-year career with the Anderson Automotive Group, where he rose through the ranks to become a cornerstone of the organization’s success. During his tenure, Larry specialized in Sales, Finance, Fixed Operations, and Marketing. Larry’s impact on the industry was so profound that it earned him a spot on the cover of Automotive News Magazine as one of the “40 Under 40” honorees in North America. This prestigious award recognized his unprecedented, record-breaking achievements.

Parallel to his automotive success, Larry’s career in media has been equally distinguished. He served as a reporter and TV producer for NBC News, and during that same era, he hosted and produced a globally aired television show, establishing him as a worldwide media voice. Today, he channels that expertise through his Raleigh-based firm, DTS Production Agency, which provides top-tier video production, web design, and digital branding.

Faith and Service

Faith and service are the cornerstones of Larry’s life. Since 1999, he and his wife, Shawnonne, have been dedicated members of their church, where they both serve as Elders. This lifelong commitment to spiritual leadership inspired the creation of The Larry Pickett Foundation. As President, Larry leads the organization’s mission to provide aid and opportunity far beyond his local borders; the Foundation’s initiatives are designed to equip first responders, restore survivors, and recognize heroes worldwide

A Record of Selfless Service

In September 2026, Larry was awarded the prestigious Carnegie Medal, North America’s highest honor for civilian heroism, for his actions in August 2025 when he and his son, Larry Jr., rescued a driver from a burning vehicle surrounded by live power lines. Established in 1904 by Andrew Carnegie, the medal is bestowed by the Carnegie Hero Fund Commission to individuals who enter extreme, mortal danger while saving or attempting to save the lives of others. Bestowed only after rigorous investigation by the Commission, the award is one of the nation’s most revered civilian distinctions for valor. While Larry’s son, Larry Jr., was ineligible for the civilian medal due to his active military service, he received the military’s equivalent honor, the Soldier’s Medal, presented on behalf of the President of the United States—placing father and son in a rare lineage holding the nation’s highest civilian and military awards for heroism.

Larry’s legacy is defined by extraordinary acts of bravery and a commitment to his fellow man, an enduring dedication that also led the Mayor of Raleigh to proclaim December 10th as “Larry Pickett Day.”

In February 2026, Larry’s gallantry was recognized on a national stage in Philadelphia, where he was awarded the Four Chaplains Charles W. David Jr. Legion of Honor Gold Life Saver Medallion. This prestigious award is one of the highest honors bestowed by the Chapel of Four Chaplains and is recognized by all branches of the United States Armed Forces. The medallion is named in honor of Coast Guardsman Charles W. David Jr., who sacrificed his life to save 93 shipmates during the sinking of the USAT Dorchester in 1943. By receiving this award, Larry is inducted into an elite lineage of individuals who have demonstrated extraordinary gallantry and a “no greater love” commitment to their fellow man.

Building upon this legacy of service, Larry will be inducted into the Legion of Valor of the United States of America on October 24, 2026, where he will be awarded the Silver Cross for Valor. The Legion of Valor is the nation’s oldest veterans’ organization, founded in 1890 by recipients of the Medal of Honor. The Silver Cross is the organization’s highest award for bravery, reserved for individuals who perform heroic acts involving “extraordinary fidelity or conspicuous acts of valor” at great personal risk. This rare induction places Larry within a historic lineage of America’s most decorated heroes.

Recognitions of Heroism:

• Carnegie Medal for Civilian Heroism (2026)

• Charles W. David Jr. Legion of Honor Gold Life Saver Medallion (2026)

• Silver Cross for Valor, Legion of Valor of the United States of America (Upcoming: October 2026)

• Official Proclamation of “Larry Pickett Day” (December 10th) by the City of Raleigh

Larry and his wife, Shawnonne, are proud residents of Raleigh, where they have raised their three children: Lauren, Olivia, and LJ. Deeply rooted in their local community through their church and business leadership, the Pickett family continues to use their Raleigh-based platform to spark global change, ensuring that the values of faith, family, and selfless service remain at the heart of everything they build.