Bob Holden was born in Kansas City on August 24, 1949 and was raised on a farm in Shannon County near Birch Tree, Missouri. He was educated in a one room school house near his family farm. In 1973, he graduated from Southwest Missouri State University with a degree in political science. He is a graduate of Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government for Public Executives and the Flemming Fellow Leadership Institute. His career in public service began in 1976, when he served as an assistant to the state treasurer of Missouri. In 1982, Holden defeated an incumbent and was elected to the Missouri House of Representatives from the 136th District (Springfield). He served three terms in the House, from 1983 to 1989. He was elected state treasurer in 1992 and again in 1996. In 2000, Holden was elected the 53rd Governor of the state of Missouri.
Following a career in public service spanning more than 25 years, former Missouri Governor Bob Holden now is a private sector leader in the fields of education and international economic development.
Holden is chairman of The Holden Group, LLC, where he advises public and private sector clients on business development and international trade strategies. The Holden Group’s projects include proposals for the Midwest Governors Association, private developers, an automotive company, a major airport and a technology/education proposal that is international in scope.
Holden’s interest in international trade and in fostering economic bonds between the Midwest United States and the international business community is reflected in his leadership of the Governor Bob Holden Public Policy Forum @ Webster University. As a visiting professor, Governor Holden lectures on public policy and leadership throughout the worldwide Webster campus network.
Holden is vice chairman of the new Midwest U.S.-China Association featuring senior advisors, Adlai Stevenson, former U.S. senator, Walter Mondale, former U.S. vice president, and Bill Daley, former U.S. Secretary of Commerce. The Association works with all Midwestern governors to improve economic cooperation and stimulate business growth between the Midwestern states and China.
His career at Boys State began in 1966 when he was a Boys State citizen. His passion for Boys State was ignited again when he returned to Boys State in 1984 to lecture in the Legislative School. Just five years later, he was named dean of the Legislative School and a member of the MBS Board of Directors (1989). Even though his political career was in full swing, he still found the time to serve Boys State. As Governor of Missouri, he made it a priority to appear at Boys State every year to give a speech and work in the Legislative School. In 2001, he made history by holding the first-ever bill signing ceremony in the MBS Legislative School. By signing MO House Bill 471 into law, he demonstrated first hand to the legislators at Boys State how the process works. Governor Holden continues to serve Boys State in his post-political career as a member of the Board of Directors. Citing Boys State as the place where his passion for public service was realized, Governor Holden has been a true role model for all who participate at Missouri Boys State.
