Modern-Day Renaissance Man, James W. Keyes, honored

The Robert S. Folsom Leadership Award is known for honoring its award recipients with an evening of fun surprises and warm personal tributes. The 2024 event honoring global business leader, philanthropist, speaker, artist, musician, and commercial pilot James W. Keyes was no exception.

They soon learned that the trumpet is especially meaningful to Keyes who as a child wanted to play in the school band, but his family could not afford an instrument. A teacher recognized his talent and provided him with a trumpet, a gift that contributed to his lifelong love of music.

Event Co-Chairs Nancy Ann and Ray Hunt, Lottye and Bobby Lyle, and Carolyn and David Miller were recognized by Dallas Regional Chamber CEO and President Dale Petroskey. As host for the evening, he welcomed guests and shared stories of his 20-year friendship with Folsom Award recipient James W. Keyes.

As the former CEO of 7-Eleven and Blockbuster, Keyes has served on the board of public companies and as an advisor to many foundations, investment firms, and startup companies. His philanthropic interests include UT Southwestern, American Red Cross, Southern Methodist University, The Cooper Institute, The Catholic Diocese of Dallas, and Columbia University Business School.

He was inducted into the Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans, Junior Achievement Dallas Business Hall of Fame, and the Spirit of Entrepreneurship Ring of Honor Award. Recently, he became a published author. An auto-graphed copy of his book, Education is Freedom, was provided for each guest.

Methodist Health System Foundation President James M. Johnston said, “Methodist Health System provided over $182 million last year alone in uncompensated care, primarily to patients at Methodist Dallas and Methodist Charlton, its two hospitals in the southern sector of Dallas. Tonight, we are pleased to announce that in honor of Jim Keyes we have raised $1.7 million toward the transformation of the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at Methodist Dallas Medical Center.”

Johnston recognized presenting sponsors Nancy Ann and Ray Hunt, Carolyn and David Miller, The Lupe Murchison Foundation, Linda and Mitch Hart, Lottye and Bobby Lyle, Jewel and Roland Parrish, Mary and Rich Templeton, and Mike and Mary Terry. He also recognized past award recipients in attendance: Nancy Ann Hunt (2006), Bobby Lyle (2014), Jack Lowe (2015), Gerald Turner (2016), David Miller (2017), Texas State Senator Royce West (2018), The Honorable Mike Rawlings (2019), and Linda and Mitch Hart (2021), and Mary and Rich Templeton (2023). He paid tribute to Keyes, who exemplifies the legacy of the namesake of the award, Robert S. Folsom.

Following the invocation by Father Tony Lackland, Chef Richard Chamberlain spoke about his 30-year friendship with Margo and Jim Keyes. He said that he was born at Methodist Dallas and was honored to be part of an event hosted by Methodist Health System.

Jim Keyes expressed his gratitude for being named the recipient of an award named after Robert S. Folsom, “a man who changed the land- scape of Dallas in so many ways.” In receiving this honor, Keyes shared five points of gratitude:

• Faith. “Dallas is a community of faith. Faith-based organizations like Methodist are the unsung heroes that keep us safe and healthy.”
• Family. “Dallas is family, and I feel a part of it.”
• Friendship. “We are blessed with so many friends and thankful to all who are here tonight.”
• Philanthropy. “I’ve traveled the four corners of this planet, and I’ve never seen a city more giving than Dallas.”
• Freedom. “Dallas is a classic city in which anyone can unlock his or her potential through education. The more you dream, the more you can achieve. We all have adversity. The best way to eliminate it is through knowledge, light, and faith.”

Following the presentation of the Robert S. Folsom award to Keyes, he was honored onstage by a group of high school graduates who have been inspired and supported by Keyes’ Education is Freedom Foundation, which to date has presented over $450,000 in scholarships.