Bruce B. Holmes

Bruce B. Holmes was appointed to the HCWA Board of Directors by Henry County District 2 Commissioner Dee Clemmons, beginning his term following his swearing in at the January 2023 Board Meeting.

Holmes has had a lifelong commitment to helping others and giving back to his community, evident through his 12 years of service as a Henry County Commissioner, followed by this most recent appointment to the HCWA Board.

Although Mr. Holmes has deep family roots in Jones County Georgia, he was born on a military base in El Paso, Texas, while his father was serving in the United States Air Force. After being raised in Michigan, he moved on to earn his Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Minnesota in 1987, prior to earning his Master’s in Business Management from the University of Minnesota St. Mary’s.

Shortly after his election in 2010 to the Henry County Board of Commissioners, Holmes established the Commissioner Bruce Holmes Youth Foundation (CBHYF), with mentoring components called “Project Exposure” & “Project Blossom” to help guide youth in a positive direction by exposing them to environments meant to open their minds to potentially new possibilities and horizons.

Holmes continues to create and grow opportunities to serve and support his community in areas of public safety, quality of life, transportation infrastructure, and business development.

Holmes is married to Antoinette "Toni" Holmes and has four children and two granddaughters. He is Vice President of Big “10” Construction & Development, LLC, and is the Owner and Executive Producer of Big “10” Media and South Metro TV. Holmes also is the Executive Producer / Host of The Black Vote and 99% Politics on Nubian TV. Prior to his current positions, he enjoyed a successful career in the Pharmaceutical, Biotech, and Molecular Diagnostics Industry, with 20 years in national accounts, managing large healthcare systems across the country.

Holmes is a member of the Prince Hall’s St. James Lodge #4, Nabbar Temple #128 in Atlanta, the Atlanta Consistory #24A, the Stockbridge-Jonesboro (GA) Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi, and The DeKalb One-Hundred Black Men.

After just two years into his first term as a Henry County Commissioner, Holmes was honored by two prominent minority business organizations for his work in the community. The Georgia Minority Business Awards (GMBA) named him the 2013 Commissioner of the Year. This award is presented to individuals who exemplify leadership, commitment to industrious and professional growth, charity towards their fellow man, and most importantly, their belief in living “success.” The GMBA Awards began 24 years ago to recognize outstanding minority-owned businesses in Georgia for their achievements in community, personal, and company growth. Since then, it has grown to include other awards in different industries and business sectors, including entertainment, technology, education, non-profit, and government.

Over the last several years, Holmes has enjoyed many honors, including being named a prominent black business leader in the Who’s Who in Black Atlanta. The publication highlights the positive achievements of African Americans who have made their mark in their professions or in service to others in their community, while also providing a valuable resource and networking guide for the community.

Holmes was honored by the Henry County Branch of the NAACP at its 2013 Freedom Fund Banquet, where he was presented with the President’s Award. The President’s Award is given to an individual or group to recognize special achievement in furthering the cause of civil rights and public service. Holmes was selected to receive the award because of his work as a County Commissioner to help create jobs and promote economic development in the County, and for his service to the community, particularly for his work on behalf of young people through the CBHYF. Holmes also was presented the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. (AKA) Community Service Award.

Holmes was honored by the Atlanta Business League (ABL) as one of 2014’s “Men of Influence.” For many years, the Atlanta Business League has recognized business owners, professionals, and community and civic leaders in Metropolitan Atlanta. The distinguished list reflects the names of black men in metro Atlanta communities who have reached senior-level positions within their profession, are leading entrepreneurs in their industry, have proven history-making feats, or have attained the ability to influence large public bodies politically and in government. In addition to professional accomplishments, the “Men of Influence” have demonstrated their commitment to the citizenry of Metro Atlanta by maintaining significant involvement and participation in community and civic activities.

Holmes continually strives to best serve his constituents, and in October 2014, he completed the University of Georgia’s Carl Vinson Institute of Government and the Association County Commissioners of Georgia’s (ACCG) Lifelong Learning Academy Certified County Commissioner Program. To earn the ACCG Lifelong Learning Academy core certification, he was required to complete eight courses as well as a two-day Leadership Academy for a total of 66 credit hours, which included County Government 101, County Government Law, Finance, Human Resources, Ethics, Property Appraisal and Taxation, Economic Development, Public Health and Safety, and Leadership.

In January 2015, the ACCG Board of Managers appointed Commissioner Holmes to the ACCG-Group Self-Insurance Workers’ Compensation Fund (GSIWCF) Board of Trustees. The GSIWCF's Board of Trustees is a seven-member board from participating counties that manages the Group Self-Insurance Workers' Compensation Fund, and Commissioner Holmes said he was “honored to have been chosen to help grow and maintain this important program.”

Additionally, he was appointed by the Georgia Emergency Management Agency (GEMA) as the County Commission representative on the AREA 7 All Hazards Council and the Georgia Homeland Security Council, where he helped to develop response and recovery strategies for all potential hazards. In August 2015, Holmes helped facilitate and host the inaugural meeting of the NAB Vets of the Southern Crescent, Chapter 112, and during the group’s installation meeting, he was made an honorary member.

On February 6, 2016, Holmes was honored by the Henry County Chamber of Commerce at its 49th Annual Awards Banquet and Dinner. He was given the W.L. “Billy” Carter Public Service Award in recognition of his significant and lasting contributions to Henry County.

Holmes was recognized by Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Incorporated for his work in Community Service, with the Martin Luther King, Jr. Award, as well as being awarded the Carter Kennedy Award from the Henry County Democratic Party at their Inaugural Carter Kennedy Banquet in August of 2018.

The following month, he was selected by the Free and Accepted Ancient York Rite Masons to receive the Most Worshipful Smooth Ashlar Grand Lodge’s 2018 Community Service Award for his significant accomplishments in “improving the lives of others and advancing the Arts, Sciences, Education, Politics, and the Community.”

The CBHYF has received multiple awards because of the dedicated volunteers who give their time and energy to help work with and develop our youth.

Holmes was recently appointed by NACo’s Community, Economic and Workforce Development Steering Committee and the Economic Development Subcommittee, in which he will serve as Vice Chair. His work on the committees will focus on technology, health, readiness, infrastructure, vulnerable populations, and economic opportunities.

Holmes is honored to be recognized for his efforts to improve economic development and make Henry County a better place to live, work, and play. Most recently, he points to several projects and initiatives that he believes contributed to his receiving these honors and recognition while serving as a Henry County Commissioner:

The Henry County Board of Commissioners approved two resolutions that will bring quality-of-life improvements to the northern end of Henry County. The action came at the January 20, 2021, Commission meeting.

Commissioners approved the construction of two new multi-purpose sports fields and concessions facilities dedicated to youth soccer and lacrosse programs in Henry County.
The Board approved a $2 million budget amendment from the West Village Parkway SPLOST account to the District V Park Improvements SPLOST V account for the construction, equipment, and lighting of the project.
Commissioners approved new pickleball courts, tennis court resurfacing, and the construction of new restrooms and concessions for Hidden Valley Park in Stockbridge.
Eight-foot, multi-use trails were approved, extending from Village Park along Fairview Road to the DeKalb County line, to connect into a proposed passive Ward Lake walking trail plan with the DeKalb District Commissioner.
Nidus Development and Piedmont Healthcare partnership plans for continued development in the area, making our commercial corridor more attractive for future business and private investment.
Walking trails and a new soccer and lacrosse complex were also approved within the new state-of-the-art public safety campus, providing police and fire a tremendous opportunity to enjoy free time and release stress in an outside setting dedicated to them and their families.