A Life of Service

Steven S. Holt devoted more than five decades of his life to service—first as a combat soldier and career officer in the United States Army, then as a public servant, financial advisor, and international humanitarian leader. His life reflects a consistent pattern of leadership, accountability, and service under demanding circumstances, carried forward across military, civilian, and humanitarian roles.

All accomplishments described in this biography are verifiable by official military orders, certificates, and professional records.

Foundations of Leadership

Steven Holt grew up in Enterprise, Utah, where early experiences shaped a lifelong commitment to discipline, service, and leadership. During his high school years (1965–1969), he earned the rank of Eagle Scout, receiving three palms—Bronze, Gold, and Silver, along with the 50-Miler Award, Historic Trails Award, and Gold Quill Writing Awards.

As a senior at Enterprise High School in 1969, he earned first-place honors at both the Washington County and Utah State 4-H competitions with a presentation on Range Ecology, demonstrating early aptitude for leadership, research, and public speaking.

Enlisted Soldier and Combat Service in Vietnam

In 1970, Steven Holt was drafted into the United States Army and completed Basic Training and Advanced Infantry Training at Fort Lewis, Washington.

In 1971, he graduated from the U.S. Army Airborne (Paratrooper) School and the Elite Pathfinder School at Fort Benning, Georgia. He was subsequently deployed to Vietnam, serving from 1971 into early 1972 as a Pathfinder crew member with the 145th Combat Aviation Brigade, headquartered at Long Binh.

Assigned to aviation operations supporting CH-47 Chinook helicopters of the 213th Aviation Battalion in Phu Loi, his responsibilities included air traffic control, sling-load coordination, and aerial resupply operations under combat conditions. He did not pilot or fly the aircraft, serving solely as a Pathfinder crew member.

He completed six combat parachute jumps in Vietnam, earned the Vietnamese Paratrooper Wings and has a total of nineteen parachute jumps during his military service.

During one mission, the CH-47 Chinook helicopter in which he was riding was shot down by enemy fire approximately ten miles northwest of Nui Ba Den Mountain. He survived the crash and was awarded the Combat Infantryman Badge for his combat service.

In 1974, he returned to Fort Benning and successfully completed the Elite U.S. Army Ranger School, one of the Army’s most demanding leadership and endurance programs.

Recruiting Excellence and Commissioned Service

Following Ranger School, Staff Sergeant Holt was assigned as a U.S. Army Recruiter in Mesa, Arizona. In 1977, he earned the U.S. Army Gold Recruiter Badge and was later recognized as the Western Region U.S. Army Recruiting Command Rookie of the Year Award, placing him among the top five rookie recruiters in the United States Army.

In 1978, he was selected for Officer Candidate School at Fort Benning, Georgia, and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the Adjutant General Corps, transitioning from enlisted service to commissioned leadership.

Officer Leadership and Command

From 1979 to 1982, Lieutenant Holt served at Fort Shafter, Hawaii, as Chief, Administrative Services Branch, Postal Officer, and Provost Marshal (Military Police) Administrative Officer.

In 1983, he completed the Adjutant General Officer Advanced Course at Fort Benjamin Harrison, Indiana, where he was selected to assist in developing a forward-looking concept for U.S. Army personnel and administrative operations, later briefed to the Vice Chief of Staff of the U.S. Army.

From 1984 to 1985, Captain Holt served as Commander of the 4th Adjutant General Company, 4th Infantry Division (Mechanized), at Fort Carson, Colorado, commanding a 420-soldier unit, including the 4th Adjutant General Band. He led the unit through a highly successful Return of Forces to Germany (REFORGER), earning a Top Block Officer Evaluation Report.

He later served as Adjutant for the Second Brigade, 4th Infantry Division (Mechanized), at Fort Carson, Colorado, during which time the brigade earned one of its highest ratings at the National Training Center, at Fort Irwin, California.

Senior Service and Inspector General

From 1989 to 1990, Captain (Promotable to Major) Steven Holt served as Director of Personnel and Community Activities (City Manager) at Dugway Proving Ground, Utah, overseeing military and civilian community operations.

He was subsequently assigned to Alaska, where he served as Deputy Inspector General, and later as Inspector General, for the 6th Infantry Division (Light) at Fort Richardson. He was promoted to Major during this Alaska assignment.

He retired from active duty in June 1993 at the rank of Major, completing 22 years of total military service, accounting for a 16-month break in service between February 1972 and June 1973.

Education and Professional Military Schooling

Steven S. Holt completed both civilian higher education and advanced professional military education during his career.

He earned a Bachelor of Science in Finance from Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah, in 1983, and later earned a Master of Arts in Management from Webster University, Saint Louis, Missouri, in 1987.

His professional military education includes graduation from the U.S. Army Combined Arms and Services Staff School, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas (1987); the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas (1990); and the U.S. Army Inspector General School, Fort Belvoir, Virginia (1990).

Civilian Leadership and Financial Career

Following military retirement, Steven Holt began his second career and served as Executive Director of the Anchorage Equal Rights Commission from 1993 to 1998. As Executive Director of the Anchorage Equal Rights Commission, Holt reported indirectly to the Mayor of Anchorage and directly to nine mayorally appointed commissioners. He directed and supervised a professional staff consisting of a staff attorney, three investigators, and two administrative specialists, and was responsible for the administration, investigation, and resolution of hundreds of discrimination complaints within the Municipality of Anchorage.

In 1999, he began a third career as a Financial Advisor with Edward Jones Investments. Over the next seventeen years, he built a successful practice, beginning with establishing the first Edward Jones Investments office in Vernal, Utah, then later he became Branch Manager of the Sun City–Summerlin (Las Vegas, NV), Edward Jones Investments office, earned Limited Partner status, and received multiple production and travel awards before retiring in 2016.

International Humanitarian Service

From March 2018 to February 2020, Steven Holt served as Country Director for Latter-day Saint Charities (LDSC), in Hanoi, Vietnam. LDSC is the humanitarian arm of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. His wife, Sherry Ann Holt, accompanied him and supported the mission throughout their service.

Working with senior government and non-government leaders, he helped establish and expand:

A National Wheelchair Program
Helping Babies Breathe
Vision care initiatives
Clean water and school sanitation projects
Emergency humanitarian relief efforts

Legacy

Steven S. Holt’s life reflects service across generations and continents—under fire, in command, in public trust, and in humanitarian leadership.

Steven and his wife, Sherry, now retired, reside in Highland, Utah.

Steven S. Holt