Gordon Holder

Gordon S. Holder earned his degree in music from Florida State University’s College of Music in 1968, where he was a member of the Marching Chiefs and the Kappa Kappa Psi honor society for band. After graduation, he received his commission from Officer Candidate School in Newport, Rhode Island, and went on to serve more than 36 years in the U.S. Navy, retiring as a vice admiral in 2004.
His distinguished career included a variety of surface warfare assignments and commands, service as a flag officer beginning in 1993, and his final role as director for logistics for the Joint Chiefs of Staff at the Pentagon.
Following his military service, Holder was senior vice president and partner at Booz Allen Hamilton Inc., and held leadership roles with the National Defense Industrial Association and other professional organizations.
A proud Seminole, Holder is the incoming vice chair of the Emeriti Alumni Society at FSU and a member of the Veterans Advancement Board. He and his late wife, Pat (B.S. ’69), also served on the FSU Connect National Campaign Committee. In 2004, Gordon was recognized as an FSU Alumni Association “Grad Made Good.”
Holder’s FSU legacy runs deep—his daughters, son-in-law, granddaughter, brother and sister-in-law are all Seminoles. He currently resides in Jacksonville, Florida, and enjoys staying active in veteran and alumni communities while cherishing family time and FSU traditions.