Board of Commissioners

Captain John "Alan" Holden, GRI, CRS, CRB, ABR, RRS, CLHMS, BIC, SRS Alan Holden was the first baby born to a Holden Beach resident and is a seventh generation Holden of the Holden Beach Holdens. He and his brother, Lyn, have lived on Holden Beach for over 150 years combined. Mayor Holden's deceased son, Shane was the eight generation and his grandchildren Curren, Morrea and Kealani are the ninth generations. His grandchildren were Holden Beach babies too!

Mayor Holden taught school in Shallotte in the 1970's after graduating from Methodist College. During the summer he owned and operated seasonal businesses on the island. He soon gave up the teaching as the businesses grew and the Town of Holden Beach took more of his time. 

Today the most visible businesses are Re/Max at the Beach and Sea Castles Inc. (a general contractor). Professional awards, such as the North Carolina Realtors' Association Hall of Fame, the Re/Max Hall of Fame and the North Carolina Realtors' Community Service Award are among the awards he received. 

Captain Holden holds a 100 ton license, qualifying him as a knowledgeable seaman. He fished locally and on the Southern Kingfish Association Professional Tour for Fountain Boats. 

His public service record includes a long list such as: Holden Beach Chapel Trustee, Brunswick County Hospital Trustee, Brunswick Community College Foundation Board, Methodist University Board of Visitors, Brunswick County Tourism Development Authority, North Carolina Travel Council Board of Directors, Board of Directors Bank of North Carolina (Brunswick County), Bank of America Board of Directors (Brunswick County), Board of Directors Bank of America (Eastern Carolina), Brunswick County Health Department Advisory Board, Holden Beach Property Owners' Association President, Mayor Pro Tempore Holden Beach, Holden Beach Commissioner, Holden Beach Planning & Zoning Board, Holden Beach Board of Adjustment, Holden Beach Director of Emergency Management, Tri-Beach Fire Department Volunteer Fireman, West Brunswick Boosters Club President, President of Toastmasters (local), founding member of Holden Beach Merchant's Association, President of the South Brunswick Islands Chamber of Commerce/ Brunswick County Chamber of Commerce, etc. 

Professionally, Mayor Holden has served in numerous capacities including President of the South Brunswick Island Board of Realtors and the Brunswick County Association of Realtors. He was the founding President of the North  Carolina Vacation Rental Managers' Association, Governor for the North Carolina Association of Realtors Property Management Division and Chairman of the North Carolina Association of Realtor's Professional Standards Committee. The National Association of Realtors chose Alan to serve on the founding committee and to develop the vacation property management division. 

Mayor Holden served as mayor pro tem from 1975 - 1977, commissioner from 1997 - 2005 and mayor since 2007. The remaining years he served in various capacities, boards and committees. His years of service to the Town of Holden Beach speak for his love of this island.

No one has more experience in the government of Holden Beach than Alan Holden. No one knows Holden Beach better than what decades of residency and involvement has taught Mayor Holden. His love for his lifetime home of Holden Beach is unsurpassed.