Tommy Holder
2025 Recipient
Chairman & Former CEO, Holder Construction
For Tommy, “Opportunity | Empowerment | Integrity” distills the principles that have quietly shaped his career and civic life. Opportunity recalls the chance he received as a Georgia Tech intern and the thousands of new paths he has helped create—within his company and across Atlanta’s schools, hospitals, and non-profits. Empowerment captures his conviction that organizations thrive when people are trusted to grow, whether they are engineers on a job site or volunteers on a board. Integrity anchors every decision, guiding him to earn confidence from clients, colleagues, and community partners alike. Together, these words describe Tommy’s very intentional approach to leadership—one that seeks to build success by opening doors, equipping others to lead, and upholding the highest ethical standards.
Tommy Holder’s journey is deeply aligned with the city of Atlanta, where his story began. In 1976, as a student at Georgia Tech, Tommy joined Holder Construction, the company founded by his father, Robert Holder. Starting as an intern, he steadily rose through the ranks, becoming President and CEO in 1989. Under his leadership, Holder Construction became one of the nation’s premier contractors, with annual revenues growing from $250 million in 1989 to over $8 billion today, building projects for Apple, Google, Meta, Delta Air Lines, Cox Enterprises and many other iconic companies. Now as Chairman, Tommy continues to help steer the company’s strategic vision and uphold its core values.
Beyond his professional achievements, Tommy is deeply committed to giving back to the community that has supported Holder’s success. He currently chairs the Georgia Tech Foundation, serves on the boards of the Georgia Power Company and the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce, and is a member of the Buckhead Coalition. His leadership roles include chairing the boards of Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, the Georgia Historical Society, and the Southern Seven Chapter of YPO. Additionally, he has served as President of the Atlanta Rotary and Senior Warden of St. Philip’s Cathedral.
Married for over 40 years, Tommy and his wife, Beth, share a lifelong dedication to enriching Atlanta’s civic and educational landscape. Beth served as former Board Chair of Agnes Scott College. Together, they raised two daughters, Kelsey and Lindsey, who live in Atlanta with their families, continuing the Holder legacy of strong community ties and civic engagement.
