Quick Bio
Party: Republican
Age: 51
Occupation: Business executive
Education: Graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy; master’s in global business
leadership from the University of San Diego
Path to General Assembly: Appointed to fill the vacancy left by Brian
Hill, who was appointed to the Senate
Marital status: Married
Religion: Christian
Birthdate: July 31, 1967
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/State-Representative-Adam-Holmes-514153275776560/
For Rep.
Adam Holmes (R-Nashport), representing the 97th House District in the General
Assembly is yet another chance to demonstrate his passion for the U.S. and the
American people.
“I love
America, and this opportunity came up to continue to serve -- it's super
rewarding. I’ve spent so much of my life supporting and defending America so
the opportunity to keep going is so awesome. I think there are a lot of ways to
help, specifically in our district, but all over Ohio,” said Holmes, a veteran
of the U.S. Marine Corps, during an interview with Hannah News.
“I was
in the Pentagon on 9/11. That’ll define your purpose,” Holmes said. “If you
ever wanted a sense of purpose and whether or not what you’re doing had
validity, it’d be that. The rest of my career was defending America in that
way. But part of it was -- it also showed me how much I love America, and
Americans and the fundamental decency and goodness of our country. It certainly
validated my faith in America and the American process. I get all choked up
when I say the Pledge of Allegiance because a lot of good young men and women
sacrificed everything for this process. You want it to have integrity, and it
does.”
Holmes
said his role as a public member of the Ohio Aerospace and Aviation Technology
Committee (OAATC) helped lead to this current opportunity, noting he was
encouraged to apply for the open seat after it was vacated by Brian Hill.
Holmes is now a legislative member of OAATC.
He said
it’s been an “honor” to serve on the OAATC, adding that his participation
helped pique his interest in state government.
“The
Ohio quarter has Neil Armstrong on the back and the Wright Brothers. We call
ourselves the ‘Birthplace of Aviation,’” Holmes said. “It was such a
fundamental part of our economy and we can be that again. We have all the
academic and manufacturing base to reenergize us, and hugely powerful people in
our college system and business base. So getting organized and unified as a
state to return to being the number one aviation and aerospace entity in the
U.S. -- it’s all there.”
Holmes
said he’s been working with a number of public and private entities regarding
aerospace issues, noting COSI will be an important partner to help spark an
interest in children in the emerging industry. He predicts the drone industry
will continue to grow in Ohio and the U.S., praising Gov. Mike DeWine for
having that vision by creating a new cabinet-level position on aerospace and
defense. Retired Col. Joseph Zeis was appointed to that position earlier this
year. (See The Hannah Report, 2/6/19.)
“The
next step is drones that carry humans -- passenger drones. There are Ohio
companies that already have prototypes, and that’s exciting. That’s what I
think we will see in the future. It’s inevitable, but it’s certainly a race.
There’s a lot of competiveness in the U.S. on that,” Holmes said. “I think the
governor saw it, because he named an aviation director. That’s really key. That
is a great move. … That’s such a great business developer for every part of our
state -- certainly Cleveland, Cincinnati and Columbus -- but also rural areas
and the second- and third-tier manufacturers. I’m excited about that.”
He said
aviation industry development can be an “answer for so many challenges that
Ohio has,” noting he hopes to make a difference on these issues not only with
his service on OAATC, but also with his service on the House Armed Services and
Veterans Affairs Committee, House Economic and Workforce Development Committee
and House Higher Education Committee.
Holmes
said he also plans to focus on addressing the opioid epidemic during his time
in office.
“[Opioids]
corrode any endeavor we are trying to do to help Ohioans. We have to solve that
right away. It’s a threat to any good idea that we have coming for the state,”
Holmes said, noting as CEO of Frueh Enterprises, he often has trouble finding
employees who are not using drugs. “Parts of my family have succumbed to
addiction. I think it’s about -- certainly we care about treating those who are
already addicts in recovery -- but it’s about preventing anybody else from
getting caught. So it’s working with law enforcement and the state government
to come up with effective prevention policies.”
Holmes
said serving in the U.S. Marine Corps has given him experience and knowledge
regarding how to address the opioid epidemic and other issues, noting it’s
important for government to help define standards and provide opportunities.
“Success
in the Marine Corps was defined on your character, work ethic, servant
leadership and decision-making,” said Holmes, who served for 31 years. “I was a
pretty senior Marine when I left, and those traits were really honed into me
and I apply those every day here. I’m trying to be a steward and servant to the
American people.”
During
his time in the military, Holmes worked under retired U.S. Army General David
Petraeus and served in the Pentagon from 2001-2004, dealing with budgets and
other executive-level issues. Additionally, being a business executive has
shown him firsthand the importance of government's creating an environment
where private enterprises can succeed, he said.
“Being
able to have the military background, plus this business sensibility has really
helped inform me on building law and legislation that supports that kind of
economy,” Holmes said. “My business has absolutely exploded over the past two
years due to policies that have been put in place federally to support
businesses and industry in the Midwest. I have been on the front row of seeing
the tangible impacts of that. We have paid it forward. We’ve hired more
employees. We’ve invested in the community. I am seeing how that process works.
It’s been amazing. …
“I’m a
big fan as I’m watching America go. I’m watching it -- I’m right here. It’s
just great. It gives me much hope. I’m very enthusiastic and hopeful for Ohio.”