Holt is the great-grandson of Benjamin Holt, who developed the first practical track-type tractor in 1904. His family's history in San Antonio, Texas began in 1933, when his great uncle, William K. Holt, moved to San Antonio to start a Caterpillar dealership. As he had no heirs, Bill invited B.D. Holt (Peter's father) to get involved in the business. In 1961, B.D. Holt moved to Corpus Christi, Texas and started his own Caterpillar dealership.
Holt, a Peoria, Illinois native, lived in San Antonio as a child before moving to Corpus Christi. After graduating high school in Corpus Christi, Holt went into the United States Army, serving two years, including a one-year tour of duty as an infantryman in Vietnam. He ended his military duty as a Sergeant with a Silver Star, three Bronze Stars, and a Purple Heart.[2]
Early business career
Upon leaving the army, Holt went to California, working for an investment banking house and became involved in a bar and restaurant business. Holt rejoined his father in 1983 to work in Corpus Christi at his Caterpillar dealership. Holt diversified the dealership's markets, growing it to its size today. In September 1987, Holt and his father purchased Holt Machinery Co. in San Antonio, reuniting the original Caterpillar dealership that his great uncle started in 1933. Holt would later expand the company's Texas presence by purchasing Darr Equipment Company of Dallas, a Caterpillar dealer in the DFW Metroplex.
Sports franchise ownership
In 1993, Holt decided to invest in the San Antonio Spurs, wanting to help keep the team in San Antonio. He and his wife Julianna became the team's principal owners.[citation needed]
To keep the team in San Antonio, Holt led a successful effort to build a new arena, the AT&T Center, through a ballot measure that would provide public funding for its construction. The new home to the Spurs and the San Antonio Livestock Exposition broke ground in August 2000 and opened for the 2002 season. During his tenure as owner, the Spurs won five championships in 1999, 2003, 2005, 2007, and 2014.
Holt retired in 2016, and his wife, Julianna, succeeded him. His son Peter J. Holt has since succeeded his mother.
Personal life
Holt served as Chairman of the United Way of San Antonio and Bexar County. He is a member of the World presidents’ Organization, and is a trustee of the Palmer Drug Abuse Program. He also served as chairman of the board of St. Mary's Hall, a private school in San Antonio.
A frequent contributor to the Republican Party,[4] Holt has contributed over $500,000 to the campaigns of Governor Rick Perry,[5] who appointed Holt as a commissioner of the Texas Department of Parks and Wildlife. A strong supporter of international trade, Holt is a board member of Free Trade Alliance-San Antonio, as well as the San Antonio Economic Development Foundation and Chase Bank-San Antonio. According to documents obtained by the San Antonio Express-News, Julianna Hawn Holt filed for divorce December 22, 2017 in Bexar County District Court.[6]
Holt was inducted to the Texas Business Hall of Fame in 2004.[7]
Awards and honors
Holt is a Silver Star recipient for his military service
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