Tickets now on sale for Oct. 2 fundraising celebration honoring two local leaders whose contributions helped shape Folsom
Folsom History is taking one of its signature annual events to a new level this fall, announcing the debut of its first-ever Folsom History Gala, a reimagined celebration that will honor two influential community leaders while raising funds to preserve the city’s rich heritage.
Tickets are now on sale for the inaugural gala, which will take place Friday, Oct. 2, beginning at 6 p.m. in the ballroom of the Folsom Community Center, 52 Natoma St. Organizers describe the evening as a “Time Travel Through the Decades” celebration, inviting guests to enjoy dinner, entertainment and a journey through Folsom’s past while recognizing two individuals whose vision and leadership have helped shape the community’s future.
The gala replaces Folsom History’s longtime History Makers celebration, reflecting the event’s growing popularity and expanding it into what organizers hope will become one of the organization’s premier annual fundraising events.
“This year’s gala represents an exciting new chapter for our organization,” said Tyler Tocci, executive director of Folsom History. “As our annual celebration has grown, we wanted to create an event that not only honors our History Makers but also brings the community together in a memorable way to celebrate the people and stories that have shaped Folsom.”
This year’s honorees are longtime transportation leader and civic volunteer William Kempton and renowned developer and philanthropist Angelo Tsakopoulos, two men whose work has left an enduring mark on Folsom’s development, parks, transportation, recreation and overall quality of life.
Honoring a lifetime of service
Kempton’s name has become synonymous with transportation leadership throughout California, but his influence extends far beyond highways and infrastructure.
After joining Caltrans in 1973, Kempton steadily rose through the ranks of transportation leadership, serving as executive director of the Santa Clara County Traffic Authority before co-founding the transportation consulting firm Smith Kempton and Watts in 1992.
That same year, Kempton made Folsom his home.
His commitment to the community quickly followed. Over the years, he served 16 years on the Folsom Parks and Recreation Commission, helping guide the city’s expanding parks system during one of its most significant periods of growth.
In 2002, Kempton joined the City of Folsom as assistant city manager, where he helped oversee daily operations across city departments and played an important role in several major infrastructure initiatives, including the development of the Folsom Lake Crossing.
Two years later, then-Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger appointed Kempton as director of Caltrans, a position he held until 2009 while overseeing California’s vast transportation system.
His influence on Folsom transportation also includes helping bring the Sacramento Regional Transit Gold Line into the city, creating a transit connection that continues to serve thousands of commuters and visitors each year.
Even after decades of public service, Kempton has remained deeply involved in the community, continuing his volunteer work with organizations including the Folsom Athletic Association and the River District Organizing Committee.
“Will is one of those people in town who just can’t stay away from the action,” Tocci said. “Over the past three decades, his contributions have been indispensable. From serving on the Parks and Recreation Commission to his work as a transportation consultant and assistant city manager, and now through his leadership with the Folsom Athletic Association and the River District Organizing Committee, Will has left a lasting impact on Folsom.”
A developer whose legacy reaches far beyond construction
Tsakopoulos is perhaps best known as one of the Sacramento region’s most influential land developers, but Folsom History says his legacy extends well beyond the neighborhoods he helped create.
Born in rural Greece in 1936, Tsakopoulos immigrated to the United States as a teenager in 1951, eventually settling in California after working on farms in the San Joaquin Valley. Inspired to pursue higher education, he attended California State University, Sacramento before founding AKT Development in 1964.
Over the next six decades, AKT Development grew into one of Northern California’s most successful development companies, helping create more than 40,000 homes and millions of square feet of commercial development throughout the region.
In Folsom, Tsakopoulos played a pivotal role in the development of neighborhoods including Natoma Station, Willow Springs and Lexington Hills, communities that helped shape the city’s residential growth.
His generosity toward the community has been equally impactful.
Among his most notable local contributions was the donation of land that became the home of Mercy Hospital of Folsom in 1982. Throughout the years, he has also supported local parks, youth sports, historical preservation efforts and numerous nonprofit organizations serving the Folsom community.
“Many Folsom residents aren’t aware of Angelo’s decades of service to the community,” Tocci said. “From donating land for Mercy Hospital and local parks to supporting the Folsom Athletic Association, the Folsom Historical Society, and countless social organizations and nonprofits, Tsakopoulos has been more than a developer, he has been one of Folsom’s greatest benefactors for nearly five decades.”
Beyond Folsom, Tsakopoulos has contributed millions of dollars to educational, medical and cultural organizations throughout the Sacramento region, including Sacramento State University, the Crocker Art Museum, the UC Davis MIND Institute and numerous charitable foundations. Earlier this year, he was recognized with a Lifetime Achievement Award from The Hellenic Initiative for his decades of civic leadership and philanthropy.
A new chapter for Folsom History
The inaugural gala is expected to become Folsom History’s premier fundraising event, helping support the nonprofit’s mission of preserving, interpreting and sharing the stories that have shaped Folsom for generations.
Guests attending the Oct. 2 celebration will enjoy an evening of dining, entertainment, recognition of the 2026 History Makers and opportunities to support the organization’s educational programs, museum exhibits and ongoing preservation efforts.
The evening carries a “Time Travel Through the Decades” theme, encouraging attendees to celebrate Folsom’s past while looking ahead to its future. Black tie attire is optional, though guests are also invited to “dress to dazzle” in attire inspired by their favorite decade.
Individual tickets are $100 per person, and table sponsorship opportunities are also available. All proceeds from the event will benefit Folsom History. Tickets and additional information are available atwww.FolsomHistory.org/galaor by contacting Folsom History atinfo@folsomhistory.org.
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