Five-Term Dale District Supervisor Jim Holland Dies

TL;DR: Jim Holland, the longest-serving member of Chesterfield County's Board of Supervisors who represented the Dale District for five consecutive terms, died October 14 at age 73 following a battle with cancer.

The story

James M. "Jim" Holland, the longest-tenured member of the Chesterfield County Board of Supervisors, died October 14 at his home surrounded by family. He was 73. Holland had served as Dale District Supervisor for five consecutive terms since 2008, holding the board chair position in 2014, 2021, and 2024. A U.S. Army veteran and certified public accountant, Holland taught accounting at Virginia Commonwealth University's business school for 24 years before his tenure on the Board of Supervisors.

During his 17-year tenure, Holland championed major economic development efforts that brought major corporations including Amazon, LEGO, Google, and Commonwealth Fusion Systems to the region. These efforts resulted in 196 economic development announcements, 18,800 new jobs, and $15.1 billion in capital investment, substantially diversifying the county's tax base. Colleagues credited Holland's collaborative approach and calm demeanor with helping transform Chesterfield from what some described as having an "inferiority complex" in 2008 to becoming Virginia's most desirable location for new residents.

Holland was particularly passionate about public education and secured nearly $1 billion in school construction funding during his tenure. In the Dale District, this investment included new facilities such as replacements for Beulah Elementary and Falling Creek Middle School, with plans underway for an additional 1,000-seat elementary school. He also championed community infrastructure improvements including the James M. Holland Recreation Complex at Beulah, dedicated in his honor in May 2025, featuring a cricket pitch and splash pad, as well as Cogbill Park and road extensions.

Holland is survived by his wife Judith, whom he married 52 years ago, daughter Jessica Holland Tamba, and son James Matthew Holland. Following his death, the Board of Supervisors appointed Dr. LeQuan M. Hylton to serve as interim Dale District Supervisor. A special election scheduled for November 2026 will determine who will complete the remainder of Holland's four-year term.

Key players

• James M. 'Jim' Holland: Five-term Dale District Supervisor (2008-2025), former board chair
• Dr. LeQuan M. Hylton: Interim Dale District Supervisor, appointed after Holland's death
• Chesterfield County Board of Supervisors: County governing body that appointed interim replacement

Key dates

• 2026-11: Special election to fill remainder of Holland's four-year term

Why it matters: Holland's death marks the end of an era of leadership in Chesterfield County, with his 17-year tenure spanning major economic transformation and infrastructure investment that shaped the region's growth. The succession process and special election will determine the next direction for the Dale District and Board of Supervisors leadership.

Places

• James M. Holland Recreation Complex at Beulah
• Cogbill Park
• Dale District
• Beulah Elementary School
• Falling Creek Middle School
• Virginia Commonwealth University

Related links

• Chesterfield County Board of Supervisors
• Chesterfield County official announcement
• Board of Supervisors to Appoint Interim Dale District Supervisor
• Virginia Association of Counties

Read the original at Chesterfield County News →

Sources

• Five-Term Dale District Supervisor Jim Holland Passes Following Hard-Fought Battle with Cancer
• Longtime Chesterfield Supervisor Jim Holland dies at 73
• After 17 years in office, Jim Holland left Dale District and Chesterfield better than he found them
• Board of Supervisors Expected to Appoint Hylton Dale District Interim Supervisor
• Chesterfield County Five-Term Dale District Supervisor Jim Holland Passes Following Hard-Fought Battle with Cancer