VCU Accounting Professor and Chesterfield Leader Jim Holland Dies at 73
TL;DR: James M. "Jim" Holland, a VCU accounting professor and five-term Chesterfield County Board supervisor, died Oct. 14, 2025 at age 73 after a battle with cancer.
Quick facts
- Who: James M. 'Jim' Holland, VCU accounting instructor and Dale District supervisor
- What: Died following battle with cancer; 24-year VCU instructor; 17-year Chesterfield Board member
- When: October 14, 2025
- Where: Chesterfield County, Virginia
The story
James M. "Jim" Holland, a certified public accountant, Army veteran, and educator whose four-decade career bridged academia and public service, died Oct. 14, 2025 at age 73, following a protracted battle with cancer. Holland represented the Dale District on the Chesterfield County Board of Supervisors for 17 years beginning in 2008, becoming the longest-serving supervisor in the county at the time of his death and the first African American board member and later chair in 2014.
At Virginia Commonwealth University's School of Business, Holland spent 24 years teaching accounting and advising aspiring CPAs, instructing more than 200 classes to thousands of students. VCU colleagues noted his ability to connect "generations of students to both the rigor and the humanity of the profession," while former students credited him with making complex subjects engaging and building their professional confidence. Holland ran his own firm, Holland & Co. CPA, while balancing his teaching duties.
As a supervisor, Holland championed education and infrastructure investments across the Dale District, overseeing the rebuilding of Beulah Elementary and Falling Creek Middle schools and the renovation of the Central Library and Beulah Recreation Center. The latter facility was renamed the James M. Holland Recreation Complex in May 2025, months before his death. Board Chair Jim Ingle and Vice Chair Dr. Mark Miller praised Holland's "calm, deliberate and gentlemanly approach," describing him as embodying "patience, kindness, and wisdom" during challenging periods, including his guidance of the county through the Great Recession and COVID-19 pandemic.
Born in Gates, North Carolina, Holland earned his bachelor's degree in accounting from Fayetteville State University (1979) and an M.B.A. from North Carolina Central University (1980). He served in the Army during the Vietnam War era with the 18th Airborne Corps as a paratrooper and military police officer at Fort Bragg. Beyond his county board service, Holland was appointed to the Virginia Board of Accountancy by multiple governors and served on regional bodies including Richmond Region Tourism and the Capital Region Workforce Partnership. He was a deacon and Sunday School teacher at First Baptist Church Centralia and received the Chester Family YMCA's Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Service Leadership Award in early 2025.
Key players
- James M. 'Jim' Holland — VCU accounting instructor (24 years), five-term Dale District supervisor (2008-2025)
- Virginia Commonwealth University — Employer; School of Business where Holland taught accounting for 24 years
- Chesterfield County Board of Supervisors — County governing body where Holland served
- Dr. LeQuan M. Hylton — Appointed interim Dale District supervisor following Holland's death
Key dates
- 2008-01-01 — Holland took office as Dale District supervisor
- 2014 — Holland became chair of Chesterfield Board of Supervisors; first African American board member and chair
- 2025-05 — Beulah Recreation Center renamed James M. Holland Recreation Complex
- 2025-10-14 — Holland died at age 73
- 2026-11 — Special election scheduled to fill remainder of Holland's four-year term
Why it matters: Holland's death marks the loss of Chesterfield County's longest-serving supervisor and a major figure who shaped the Dale District's schools and infrastructure while mentoring thousands of VCU business students. His vacancy triggers a special election scheduled for November 2026 to fill the remainder of his four-year term, with interim supervisor Dr. LeQuan M. Hylton appointed to hold the seat until voters decide.
Places
- Beulah Recreation Center / James M. Holland Recreation Complex
- Beulah Elementary School
- Falling Creek Middle School
- Central Library
- Dale District
Development timeline
- 2008-01-01Holland elected to Chesterfield Board of Supervisors: Began representing Dale District; served 17 years with five terms total [[source]](https://www.chesterfield.gov/m/newsflash/Home/Detail/6746)
- 2014Holland becomes first African American board chair: Serves multiple terms as chair and vice chair; becomes longest-serving supervisor during tenure [[source]](https://www.chesterfield.gov/m/newsflash/home/detail/6725)
- 2025-05Beulah Recreation Center renamed: Facility renamed James M. Holland Recreation Complex, honoring supervisor's community contributions [[source]](https://news.vcu.edu/article/2025/10/james-m-jim-holland-vcu-accounting-instructor-and-chesterfield-county-leader-dies-at-73)
- 2025-10-14Jim Holland dies: VCU accounting instructor and five-term Chesterfield supervisor passes at age 73 after cancer battle [[source]](https://news.vcu.edu/article/2025/10/james-m-jim-holland-vcu-accounting-instructor-and-chesterfield-county-leader-dies-at-73)
- 2026-11Special election for Dale District supervisor: Chesterfield voters will elect successor to fill remainder of Holland's four-year term [[source]](https://www.chesterfield.gov/m/newsflash/Home/Detail/6746)
Related links
- Chesterfield County - Remembering Jim Holland
- Chesterfield County Board of Supervisors
- Virginia Commonwealth University School of Business
Read the original at Google News: Chesterfield County →
Sources
- VCU News - James M. 'Jim' Holland, VCU accounting instructor and Chesterfield County leader, dies at 73
- Chesterfield County - Remembering the Hon. James M. 'Jim' Holland
- Chesterfield County - After 17 years in office, Jim Holland left Dale District better
- Virginia Association of Counties - Five-Term Dale District Supervisor Jim Holland Passes