Bruce Holmes has had a lifelong commitment to helping others and giving back to his community. His election to the Henry County Board of Commissioners is a continuation of this service to others.
Although Bruce has deep family roots in Jones County Georgia, he was born on a military base in El Paso, TX 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 and went on to earn his Masters in Business Management from the University of Minnesota St. Mary’s.
Shortly after his election, Commissioner Holmes established the Commissioner Bruce Holmes Youth Foundation (CBHYF) with mentoring components called “Project Exposure” & “Project Blossom” which helps to guide youth in a positive direction by exposing them to environments meant to open their minds to potentially new possibilities and horizons.
As District 5 Commissioner, he 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.
Commissioner Bruce Holmes is married to Antoinette “Toni” Holmes and has four children and two granddaughters. He is Vice President of Big “10” Construction & Development, LLC. Prior to his current position, Commissioner Holmes enjoyed a successful career in the Pharmaceutical, Biotech and Molecular Diagnostics Industry, with 20 years in national accounts managing large health care systems across the country.
He is a member of the Prince Hall’s St. James Lodge #4, Nabbar Temple #128 in Atlanta, GA, 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, 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 as a way 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, Commissioner Holmes has enjoyed many honors, including being named as 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.
Commissioner 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. Commissioner 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 Commissioner Bruce Holmes Youth Foundation. Commissioner Holmes was also presented the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. (AKA) Community Service Award.
Commissioner 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.
Commissioner Holmes continually strives to best serve his constituents and in October 2014, 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 Association County Commissioners of Georgia (ACCG) Board of Managers appointed Commissioner Holmes to the ACCG-Group Self-Insurance Workers’ Compensation Fund 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 as the County Commission representative on the AREA 7 all Hazards Council and the Georgia Homeland Security Council, where he helps to develop response and recovery strategies for all potential hazards. In August 2015, Commissioner 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, Commissioner 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.
Commissioner 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 Commissioner Bruce Holmes Youth Foundation has received multiple awards because of the dedicated volunteers that give their time and energy to help work with and develop our youth, most recently receiving the Community Organization of the Year Award from Game Changers Media
Implementation of the South Metro Business Connections- SMBC and community partnership with WOF-WUF
Commissioner 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 continues to contribute to his receiving these honors and recognition as he is currently serving in his third term as District V 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.
District V Commissioner Bruce Holmes expressed his excitement about how the year is starting and what is proposed for the future. “I am really excited about what we have accomplished during my 10 years in office. We are off to a tremendous start in 2021 for the developing health and wellness walkable commercial corridor located in North Henry County, and we have made a number of critical investments to support the continued development of our business community.
I look forward to continue collaborating with our community and helping to further improve the quality of life and making the necessary investments for travel by vehicle or by foot in the coming years. I would like to thank our community for the support, and I look forward to fighting for you in the future.”
Commissioner Bruce B. Holmes