Emory Folmar was born June 3, 1930, in Troy, Alabama. He attended public schools in Troy and Montgomery and received a B.S. Degree in Business from the University of Alabama in 1951.

From 6/51 - 8/54 Mayor Folmar served with the U.S. Army at Ft. Benning, GA with the 30th Infantry Regiment; in combat as a company commander with the 2nd Infantry Div. in Korea; and the 11th ABN Division at Ft. Campbell, KY. He was awarded the Silver Star, Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Combat Infantry Badge, Parachutist's Badge, Korean Campaign with Three Stars and the Croix de Guerre with Bronze Palm.

Formerly a shopping center builder and developer, Mayor Folmar became a member of the Montgomery City Council in September 1975. He served as President of the Council from 1975 to 1977 and was elected Mayor on April 12, 1977, defeating 46 opponents without a runoff. Mayor Folmar was unopposed in his reelection in 1979, a first in the history of the City; reelected in 1983, 1987, 1991 and 1995. (Again unopposed.)

Mayor Folmar is married to the former Anita Pierce and they have three children, two granddaughters and one grandson. He is active in both church (Elder of Trinity Presbyterian Church) and civic affairs; past President of the Montgomery Award Committee and the YMCA Metro Board. He serves on the Board of Directors of the Montgomery Boys Club, the Alabama Shakespeare Festival, member of the United Way, Landmarks Foundation and many others.

Mayor Folmar was the recipient of the 1976 Montgomery County Bar Association "Liberty Bell Award"; the 1980 Salvation Army "Man of the Year" Award; the "Distinguished Public Service Award" from the Alabama Retarded Children's Association in 1983; the "Governor's Arts Award" for leadership and support of the arts in 1983; YMCA's "Man of the Year" in 1985; The Montgomery Advertiser and the Alabama Journal's "Citizen of the Year" in 1991; the recipient of the Nathan Hale Award in 1996 - "a soldier's soldier." In 1997, he was awarded the Pioneer Award from MAFB, AETC, the Winton M. Blount Arts Leadership Award by the Business in the Arts Committee and was installed in the Alabama Academy of Honor, created by the Alabama Legislature to honor distinguished citizens of Alabama.

The Secretary of the Army appointed Mayor Folmar as Civilian Aide for Alabama in 1981 and he served four terms. In 1990, he was appointed as 2nd Army Area Civilian Aide. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development awarded Mayor Folmar a "Certificate of Special Recognition" for being the first grantee in HUD's Region IV and first in the nation to set up a project under the administration's new rental rehabilitation program. The Department of the Army awarded Mayor Folmar the "Outstanding Civilian Service Medal" in 1983 for unsurpassed and exemplary support; the U.S. Air Force presented him with "The Exceptional Service Award" in August 1985. This prestigious award reads in part: "Mayor Folmar's service to Air University is unparalleled by his unfailing support and reflects the highest traditions of dedication, patriotism and loyalty to our country and has earned him the sincere gratitude of the USAF." The VFW presented him with the "Medal of Commendation" January 31, 1986, for "his outstanding support of the U.S. Armed Forces" training establishments in Alabama, for his untiring efforts in implementing a successful 'Law & Order' concept in Montgomery, his understanding and unfailing support of rehabilitation programs for Alabama's youth, elderly and indigent persons." The National Guard Association of the United States awarded Mayor Folmar the distinguished "Patrick Henry Award" on September 6, 1998.

Mayor Folmar served as Chairman of the Alabama Republican Party from 1985-1989. He served as State Chairman for George Bush's 1988 and 1992 campaigns; Chairman of Jeff Sessions 1996 U.S. Senate Campaign; was active in the reelection campaigns of Senator Richard Shelby, Congressman Terry Everett, Governor Fob James, Senator Jeff Sessions and Governor Bob Riley.

After serving more than 22 years as Mayor, Emory Folmar was defeated in a runoff for Mayor's race on November 2, 1999. In February 2000 he became president of Shred-Away, an on-site destruction of confidential data and materials operation. This operation was sold in late 2002 and since that time, Mayor Folmar has worked part-time for Mount Scrap Material.

On June 11, 2003 Governor Bob Riley appointed Mr. Folmar to serve as Administrator of the Alabama Alcoholic Beverage Control Board.

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