Gordon Holder spent more than 36 years in the U.S. Navy, retiring as a vice admiral in October 2004 after having graduated from Florida State University’s College of Music and receiving his commission from Officer Candidate School in Newport, R.I., in 1968.

His early naval career included a large variety of surface warfare assignments and commands. Selected for flag officer in 1993, Holder served in Hawaii; Norfolk, Va.; and Washington, D.C., completing his career as director for logistics, Joint Staff and the Pentagon.

Holder is the 2002-03 recipient of the National Defense Transportation Association Department of Defense Distinguished Service Award and the 2005 National Defense Industrial Association recipient of the Logistician Emeritus award for his work in logistics. In 2004, he was selected as an FSU Alumni Association Grad Made Good. Holder and his wife, Pat, served on the FSU Connect National Campaign Committee.

Following his Navy career, he was a senior vice president and partner with Booz Allen Hamilton Inc., a global strategy and technology consulting firm in McLean, Va. He has served as a member of the board of directors for the National Defense Industrial Association and as chair of the NDIA Executive Logistics Division.

He currently is associated with the Surface Navy Association and the University of North Carolina LOGTECH and has served as a member of the board of directors for the National Defense Industrial Association and the chair of the NDIA Executive Logistics Division.