Joseph H. Holland facts for kids

Joseph H. Holland is an American lawyer, author, and businessman who has also worked in government. He is known for his work in real estate and for serving the community.

In 1995, New York's Governor George Pataki chose Holland to be the Commissioner of the Department of Housing and Community Renewal. This job involved helping to make sure people in New York State had safe and affordable places to live. He held this role until 1996. Holland has also run for important political offices like Attorney General and Governor of New York.

Early Life and Schooling

Joseph H. Holland grew up in a big family with nine siblings in New York City. His father, Jerome H. Holland, was a very important figure who served as the United States Ambassador to Sweden for President Richard Nixon.

For college, Holland went to Cornell University, where he earned two degrees. While at Cornell, he was a talented football player for the Cornell Big Red team and was added to the university's Academic Hall of Fame. After Cornell, he went to the famous Harvard Law School and graduated in 1983.

Career in Politics

Holland is a member of the Republican Party. He helped George Pataki win the election for governor of New York in 1994. After the victory, Governor Pataki appointed Holland as the Commissioner of the Department of Housing and Community Renewal.

Holland served in this position from 1995 until October 1996. He resigned to focus on personal business matters. A spokesperson for the governor said that Holland had "served the state exceptionally well."

Over the years, Holland has run for several political offices. He has run for the New York State Senate and for Attorney General of New York. In 2018, he also ran for Governor of New York before deciding to run for Attorney General instead.

Work Outside of Government

In 1982, Holland moved to the Harlem neighborhood of New York City to make a difference. He opened a law office and started several projects to help the community. He ran a shelter for homeless people, started a Ben & Jerry's ice cream shop, and opened a restaurant. He hired people from the homeless shelter to work in his businesses.

After his time as a commissioner, Holland became a partner in a law firm. Later, he started his own real estate company called Uptown Partners. The company focused on building and improving housing in Harlem. He wanted to help churches and other groups develop their property and encourage successful people to invest in neighborhoods that needed help.

Holland is also a talented author and playwright.

• He wrote a book about his life called From Harlem With Love: An Ivy Leaguer’s Inner-City Odyssey.
• He wrote a self-help book called The Touchstone Tools: Building Your Way To An Inspired Life.
• He wrote two plays, Cast Me Down and Homegrown, which were both performed in theaters.

In addition to his other work, Holland is an ordained minister.

Personal Life

In 1995, Holland married Alisa White. Together, they have three children.