Robert S. Folsom Leadership Award
For more information, please email FolsomAward@mhd.com
Walter J. Humann is a distinguished business leader and civic visionary whose career spans corporate leadership and transformative public service. He has guided major enterprises across energy, finance, technology, and aerospace, including leadership roles with Hunt Consolidated, Inc., LTV Corporation, and Memorex-Telex Corporation. His business acumen is matched by his influence on national policy and governance, having served as a presidentially appointed White House Fellow, on the MIT Corporation Board, and as a longtime trustee of the RAND Corporation.
Humann’s most enduring legacy lies in his commitment to community revitalization and civic innovation. As Founding Chairman of the Jubilee Project, he led the comprehensive transformation of a 100-block area in South Dallas, implementing integrated initiatives in education, housing, public safety, and economic development. The effort resulted in dramatically reduced crime, nationally recognized schools, and vital community institutions that continue to serve residents today.
A pioneer in regional transportation, Humann is widely recognized as the “Father” of Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART), having led the successful campaign to establish — and recently to help preserve — one of the best transit systems in the nation. His leadership also shaped major infrastructure improvements like the North Central Expressway and revitalization across North Texas.
In education, he helped design the Dallas ISD desegregation plan and pioneered innovative partnerships between business and public schools, including the creation of nationally recognized DISD magnet schools and career training programs.
A co-founder of the Leadership Dallas program and recipient of numerous prestigious honors, including the Linz Award, the White House Fellows bestowed national Legacy of Leadership Award, and J. Erik Jonsson Ethics Award, Humann’s lifelong dedication to ethical leadership, public service, and community impact has left an indelible mark on Dallas and beyond.
He and his wife, Bea, his high school sweetheart, are proud parents of three children, grandparents to eleven, and great-grandparents to one.
About the Robert S. Folsom Leadership Award
The Robert S. Folsom Leadership Award, founded in 2005, is presented annually by Methodist Health System Foundation to recognize individuals whose service, commitment, and excellence in community leadership emulate former Dallas Mayor Robert S. Folsom. The Folsom Leadership Award dinner is the largest single fundraising event for Methodist Health System Foundation. The event has raised more than $22 million over the past 20 years to benefit Methodist Health System’s programs and services including building Charles A. Sammons Tower, establishing the Life Shines Bright pregnancy program, renovation of the Methodist Medical Center Dallas labor and delivery floor, supporting neuro services, funding graduate medical education, and the Linda and Mitch Hart Breast Center at Methodist Dallas Medical Center among many others.
Past Robert S. Folsom Leadership Award Recipients:
- 2025 - Caren Prothro
- 2024 - James W. Keyes
- 2023 - Mary and Rich Templeton
- 2021 - Linda & Mitch Hart
- 2019 – Mike S. Rawlings
- 2018 – Royce West
- 2017 – David B. Miller
- 2016 – R. Gerald Turner, PhD
- 2015 – Jack Lowe, Jr.
- 2014 – Bobby B. Lyle
- 2013 – Mark Craig
- 2012 – Michael M. Boone
- 2011 – Trevor Rees-Jones
- 2010 – Pat and Emmitt Smith
- 2009 – Norman Brinker
- 2008 – Laura Bush
- 2007 – Troy Aikman
- 2006 – Nancy Ann Hunt
- 2005 – Robert S. Folsom
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About Robert S. “Bob” Folsom (1927 – 2017)
A native of Oak Cliff, Robert S. “Bob” Folsom attended Sunset High School, then went on to play football at Southern Methodist University. After college, he joined his father’s company as a traveling salesman before starting his own business with $4,000 in savings. His first real estate purchase, made with a former SMU teammate, was a downtown Dallas lot. He turned that investment into a multi-million-dollar real estate business before entering public service.
Mr. Folsom first served on the Dallas ISD board of trustees, then as mayor of Dallas from 1976 to 1981. During his tenure, he helped develop Reunion Arena and created the Dallas Arts District. Following in his father’s footsteps, Folsom was a Methodist Hospital board member from 1968 to 1977, and board president from 1975 to 1976.
In 2005, the Methodist Health System Foundation established the Robert S. Folsom Leadership Award to recognize individuals whose demonstrated commitment and excellence in community leadership emulate Mayor Folsom’s achievements. Mr. Folsom was married to his childhood sweetheart, Margaret Dalton Folsom, for 64 years until her death in 2013. He is survived by his son, Steve Folsom of Dallas; daughters Debbie Frank of Dallas and Debbie Jarma of Weatherford; 10 grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.
For more information, please contact Methodist Health System Foundation at (214) 947-4555 or FolsomAward@mhd.com.