Chesterfield honors Supervisor Jim Holland with YMCA award and General Assembly citation

The Chesterfield County Board of Supervisors and community guests honored Supervisor James “Jim” Holland with the Chester Family YMCA Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Service Leadership Award and read a joint commending resolution from the General Assembly recognizing his years of public service.

The resolution, approved by the Virginia House of Delegates on Feb. 18, 2025, and by the Senate on Feb. 20, 2025, summarizes Holland’s military service, education, professional background as a certified public accountant and local business owner, long tenure on the board and appointments to state boards and commissions. The YMCA award citation noted his leadership on public health initiatives and work to empower young people.

Jody Alexander, chief executive officer of the Chester Family YMCA, presented the YMCA award and said the organization chose Holland “in recognition of his outstanding and visionary leadership in Chesterfield County” and for a “unwavering commitment to the betterment of all of Chesterfield County residents.” Alexander noted the Y’s volunteer selection committee cited Holland’s leadership on public-health initiatives and youth programs.

A joint General Assembly resolution read at the meeting lists biographical details and accomplishments, including Holland’s Army service, his Bachelor’s and MBA degrees, ownership of Holland and Company CPA, service as an accounting professor and advisor at Virginia Commonwealth University, and election to represent the Dale District on the Chesterfield County Board of Supervisors in February 2008. The resolution notes Holland served as board chair in February 2021 and February 2024 and as vice chair in February 2010 and February 2022. It also cites county milestones during his tenure named in the text, including the Lehi Group locating a U.S. plant in Chesterfield, Commonwealth Fusion Systems’s planned investment, the passage of bond referendums in February 2013 and February 2022, and local school replacement and reuse projects in the Dale District.

Several former and current local officials joined remarks at the event. Delegate Carrie Koiner, speaking of her remarks given on the House floor during Black History Month, said Holland “always showed up to the table and he didn't leave until we had finished going through every single item,” and praised his focus on “what was best for the people that we represented.” Dan Gecker, a former board member in attendance, and other past colleagues recalled Holland’s collaborative style and financial expertise on the county’s budget and audit work.

Holland accepted the honor and reflected on his background and approach to service, saying he was “humbled and thankful,” that his work was motivated by service to others, and that the award was meaningful in the context of Black History Month. He reminded the audience that the recognition comes during “the second year of his fifth term” on the board.

The board meeting designation for this item was Item 11: a ceremonial recognition and reading of the General Assembly commending resolution. No formal board vote on policy or budget action was recorded in the transcript for this item; the presentations and the reading of the resolution were ceremonial.

The meeting included former board members and community partners who joined Holland onstage: Dorothy Jackel (Bermuda District), Tara Carroll, Leslie Haley, Janice Ford (former clerk of the board), and Dan Gecker (Midlothian District), and representatives from the General Assembly and the YMCA.