The Heath-Newark-Licking County Port Authority, for which Horton served as the first Executive Director and, later, a Board member, nominated Horton. The nomination included a support letter jointly signed by all three county commissioners and the mayors of Newark and Heath. The joint letter said, "Undoubtedly, our community would have been very different, for the worse, without Wally Horton's leadership."

Horton came out of retirement in 1993 to lead efforts to privatize the Newark AFB. Today, the facility has retained its $200 million annual economic impact as home to 20 different employers with over 940 total employees.

Horton, upon learning of his recognition, said, "My work in the development of Newark Air Force Station, the sadness of seeing the Base close and our success in obtaining privatization-in-place represented a sizeable part of my working years. To me it was like being a part of from the cradle, to the grave, to reincarnation."

He remains involved with The Base and the Port Authority, recently helping the Port Authority cut the cake in a ceremony celebrating the 10-year anniversary of the Port Authority.

"The year 2005, given that another round of base closings is underway, is especially timely for Wally receiving this award, " said Rick Platt, current Executive Director of the Port Authority. "Wally stands out, nationally, as someone whose leadership should be emulated."