Peter Holt

Peter M. Holt (born July 26, 1948) is an American businessman. He is the former CEO of HoltCat, the largest Caterpillar dealership in the United States and former chairman, CEO, and owner of Spurs Sports & Entertainment, which owns the NBA's San Antonio Spurs, the USL's San Antonio FC, the AHL's San Antonio Rampage, and the NBA G League's Austin Spurs.^[1]

Early life and military career

Holt is the great-grandson of Benjamin Holt, who developed the first practical track-type tractor in 1904. His family's history in San Antonio, Texas began in 1933, when his great uncle, William K. Holt, moved to San Antonio to start a Caterpillar dealership. As he had no heirs, Bill invited B.D. Holt (Peter's father) to get involved in the business. In 1961, B.D. Holt moved to Corpus Christi, Texas and started his own Caterpillar dealership.

Holt, a Peoria, Illinois native, lived in San Antonio as a child before moving to Corpus Christi. After graduating high school in Corpus Christi, Holt went into the United States Army, serving two years, including a one-year tour of duty as an infantryman in Vietnam. He ended his military duty as a Sergeant with a Silver Star, three Bronze Stars, and a Purple Heart.^[2]

Early business career

Upon leaving the army, Holt went to California, working for an investment banking house and became involved in a bar and restaurant business. Holt rejoined his father in 1983 to work in Corpus Christi at his Caterpillar dealership. Holt diversified the dealership's markets, growing it to its size today. In September 1987, Holt and his father purchased Holt Machinery Co. in San Antonio, reuniting the original Caterpillar dealership that his great uncle started in 1933. Holt would later expand the company's Texas presence by purchasing Darr Equipment Company of Dallas, a Caterpillar dealer in the DFW Metroplex.

Sports franchise ownership

In 1993, Holt decided to invest in the San Antonio Spurs, wanting to help keep the team in San Antonio. He and his wife Julianna became the team's principal owners.^{[citation needed]}

Holt and the Spurs organization later purchased other franchises – the

Holt was inducted to the Texas Business Hall of Fame in 2004.[7]

Awards and honors

Military

• Silver Star
• Three Bronze Stars
• Purple Heart

Business

• CAT Circle of Excellence Award winner^[8]
• Texas Business Hall of Fame inductee (class of 2004)^[7]
• 2014 USAA/NaVOBA Vetrepreneur of The Year Award winner^[9]

Sports ownership

• Five-time
  NBA Champion (as owner of the San Antonio Spurs
  – 1999, 2003, 2005, 2007, 2014)
• Two-time NBA G League Champion (as owner of the Austin Spurs) – 2012, 2018

Other

• 2001 Golden Plate Award of the American Academy of Achievement^[10]

References