During our extraordinary Centennial Celebration presented by PepsiCo on November 15, United Way of Metropolitan Dallas received a momentous $25 million gift from current and retired Texas Instruments executives in honor of the 2025 J. Erik Jonsson Award recipients, Mary and Rich Templeton, paving the way for a second century of impact. This landmark financial contribution will substantially advance shared initiatives to improve educational outcomes and enhance income and health across our communities.

“Rich and Mary Templeton have transformed how we build strong communities, demonstrating what becomes possible when visionary leaders commit to lasting change,” said Jennifer Sampson, McDermott-Templeton president and CEO of United Way of Metropolitan Dallas. “Together, they embody everything the historic J. Erik Jonsson Award represents—leadership that transforms both vision and action. Rich’s philosophy that great communities don’t just happen—they must be intentionally built—now guides everything we do at United Way of Metropolitan Dallas. When the Templetons commit to something, it’s never just about a single investment—it’s about mobilizing an entire community to think and act differently.”

Leadership & Legacy

The J. Erik Jonsson Award is our highest honor for volunteer service. Established in 1978, the award was created by our Board of Directors in honor of its namesake’s outstanding leadership and philanthropy. Jonsson, a former mayor of Dallas and co-founder of Texas Instruments, served as president of United Way of Metropolitan Dallas from 1961-1962 and was a key figure in shaping United Way into the organization it is today. The J. Erik Jonsson Award is bestowed annually and recognizes exceptional commitment to volunteer service that embodies the spirit of civic leadership and community impact that J. Erik Jonsson himself championed.

During the 100-year celebration, Haviv Ilan, president and CEO of Texas Instruments, along with Kevin March, retired chief financial officer of Texas Instruments, honored the impactful work of the Templetons, whose vision and commitment have been instrumental in shaping United Way’s success today.

“Rich and Mary Templeton have made an enduring impact on North Texas—in business, in academia, on the well-being of our community, and on me,” said Haviv Ilan. “They have uniquely honed and nurtured a culture of giving inside Texas Instruments, as well as across our community. Their legacy builds upon our founders’ commitment to the community, including J. Erik Jonsson, and it’s been at the heart of our work with United Way for more than 70 years. This gift continues upon Rich and Mary’s example, and we are proud to support United Way’s second century of making an impact in our community.”

A Partnership That’s Transforming Dallas

Mary and Rich have exhibited the responsibility to carry out TI’s commitment to the Dallas community. They have led with conviction, and time after time they have made our community better through their generosity. Longstanding donors of United Way, they have been working in tandem with the organization since the beginning of their careers, donating their first few dollars to United Way’s impact across North Texas.

Their generosity and partnership with TI and United Way are significant:

• Rich led TI’s work with United Way campaign for many years.
• Rich also chaired the citywide 2012-2013 campaign, and he and Mary together became the first couple to co-chair the citywide campaign in 2018-2019. Combined, these two campaigns raised more than $115 million to improve education, income and health in North Texas.
• Rich and Mary teamed up with Margaret McDermott—wife of TI founder Eugene McDermott—to endow the position of McDermott-Templeton president and chief executive officer of United Way of Metropolitan Dallas.
• Mary co-chaired the Unite Forever Campaign, raising more than $100 million for the United Way Foundation’s endowment, which helps ensure that contributions to the community can continue indefinitely.

Building Stronger Communities Together

TI has an extensive history of partnering with United Way of Metropolitan Dallas to drive community impact. A sponsor of several United Way initiatives that advance education, income and health in our community, TI has supported collaboration in volunteerism at one of our most well-known events, our Centennial Volunteer Series. Together, we have written one of the greatest stories in civic partnership, backed by the belief that strong companies build strong communities, and strong communities build strong companies. As the Presenting Sponsor of the year-long Aspire United Volunteer Series, TI’s legacy and leadership combines executives, employees and alumni to power one of North Texas’s most successful workplace campaigns.

Mary and Rich join a legacy of J. Erik Jonsson recipients who have shaped United Way and Dallas.

Honoring past recipients:

• 2025 Mary & Rich Templeton
• 2024 Margot Perot
• 2023 Karen and Tom Falk
• 2020 Edward G. Galante*
• 2019 Clint McDonnough
• 2018 Lyda Hill
• 2017 David Alexander
• 2016 Joel Allison
• 2015 Chuck Gummer
• 2014 Roger Staubach
• 2013 Caroline Rose Hunt
• 2012 Stan Rabin
• 2011 Debbie Taylor
• 2010 Phil Ritter
• 2009 Roger Nanney
• 2008 William D. White, Jr.
• 2007 J. Scott Wilson
• 2006 Barbara Lord Watkins
• 2005 Sam Self
• 2004 Liz Minyard
• 2003 Larry McDowell
• 2002 Becky Bright
• 2001 David Biegler
• 2000 Keith Hughes
• 1999 Harold Kleinman
• 1998 Rita Clements
• 1997 Wright Lassiter, Jr.
• 1996 Ron Steinhart
• 1995 George Shafer
• 1994 W.R. Howell
• 1993 Jerry R. Junkins
• 1992 Reece A. Overcash, Jr.
• 1991 Jerry Farrington
• 1990 Charles G. Cullum
• 1989 Ruth Sharp Altshuler
• 1988 Jack Evans, Sr.
• 1987 James F. Chambers, Jr.
• 1986 Dan C. Williams
• 1985 James W. Aston
• 1984 Joe M. Dealey
• 1983 John M. Stemmons
• 1982 Terrell Harper
• 1981 Robert Moore, MD
• 1980 Earl Forsythe
• 1979 John Jackson

*2020 Award delayed due to pandemic, presented in May 2022.