Gordon Holder

Gordon S. Holder graduated from FSU in August 1968 with a degree in music education and entered the U.S. Navy, serving more than 36 years, retiring as a vice admiral in 2004. After retirement from the Navy, he joined Booz Allen Hamilton, Inc., and served as a leader in the logistics area until his second retirement in 2012.

Holder’s significant Navy flag assignments included commander, Naval Base Pearl Harbor; commander, Naval Surface Group Middle Pacific; commander, Amphibious Group II in Norfolk, Virginia; and commander, Military Sealift Command in Washington, D.C. He commanded three ships during his career. In September 2001, he was assigned as director of logistics for the joint staff at the Pentagon.

While attending FSU, Holder took great pride in being a member of the Marching Chiefs and Kappa Kappa Psi service fraternity for bands. He served on the FSU Foundation and was chairman from 2008-2012.

Holder is the 2002-2003 recipient of the National Defense Transportation Association DoD Distinguished Service Award. He also was awarded the 2005 National Defense Industrial Association Logistician Emeritus Award for his work in logistics.

Holder was a member of the board of directors of the Surface Navy Association of Greater Washington; a vice president of the Capital Council of the U.S. Navy League; vice-chair of the National Defense Transportation Association; and chair of the National Defense Industrial Association Executive Logistics Division.

Mr. Holder earned an M.S. degree in psychology from Troy State University and attended the Air Command and Staff College at Maxwell AFB during his active duty career.