Business and civic leadership organization the Buckhead Coalition has appointed Tommy Holder to serve as its next chair, effective January 2027.
Holder, a longtime Buckhead resident and business and civic leader, will succeed Jonathan Rodbell, who served as chair for 2025 and 2026.
“One of Buckhead’s greatest strengths has always been the people and partnerships that come together to move our community forward,” Holder said in a statement. “It’s an honor to serve as Chair of the Buckhead Coalition and build on the strong foundation already in place. Working alongside CEO Katharine Kelley, our members and community partners, I look forward to championing ideas, initiatives, and opportunities that keep Buckhead and the Metro Atlanta region thriving for years to come.”
As chair, Holder will collaborate with Kelley and the Coalition’s members to advance Buckhead’s strategic priorities, according to a press release. These include walkability and placemaking, infrastructure, public safety and homelessness, and traffic mitigation.
He will also work to continue to strengthen partnerships among elected officials, business leaders, and community stakeholders to advance Buckhead’s economic vitality.
Holder has devoted nearly 50 years to Holder Construction Company, joining the firm in 1976 and serving as president and CEO from 1989 to 2021 before transitioning to chairman. Under his leadership, the company grew from $250 million in annual revenue to more than $8 billion, delivering projects for Apple, Google, Meta, Delta Air Lines, State Farm, and the Atlanta Falcons.
He recently served as Board Chair of Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta and the Georgia Tech Foundation, sits on the board of the Metro Atlanta Chamber, and chairs the Atlanta Police Foundation’s Safest City Campaign.
His commitment to Atlanta’s civic life earned him the Council for Quality Growth’s 2025 Four Pillar Award, recognizing a lifetime of leadership and service.
