In 1978, Holman was a student in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. He graduated that year magna cum laude with a bachelor of science degree in biology. Just seven years later, a remarkably short period in which to figure out the workings of state government, he was ranked among North Carolina’s 10 most effective lobbyists.

Holman spent two decades promoting the interests of various environmental groups, suggesting how North Carolina should regulate and manage its environment and natural resources. Then he gave up advocacy and became a regulator. In January 1998, Gov. James B. Hunt Jr. named Holman assistant secretary of the state Department of Environment and Natural Resources in charge of environmental protection.

Now, less than two years later, Holman has been appointed secretary of the department. As DENR secretary, Holman oversees an agency with 3,400 employees. North Carolina’s lead environmental regulatory agency, the department is charged with enforcing regulations designed to conserve and protect North Carolina’s natural resources.

"With Bill Holman’s appointment, we’re setting a new standard for environmental protection in our state, and there’s no turning back," Gov. Hunt said during a swearing in ceremony in August. "Future occupants of the governor’s office will have a new threshold of excellence to meet when it comes to naming the chief environmental officer."

The governor cited Holman’s strong environmental background as well as his commitment to balancing protection of the state’s natural resources with economic growth as a primary reason for the appointment.

During his tenure as assistant secretary, Holman was instrumental in efforts to work with the state Commerce Department and Department of Transportation to ensure that long-term environmental impacts of new roads and business are thoroughly evaluated.

Prior to joining DENR, Holman was among the state’s best-known and most influential lobbyists. Throughout two decades, he represented organizations such as the Conservation Council of North Carolina, the Sierra Club, the American Planning Association and the N.C. Public Transportation Association. He was working for the North Carolina Nature Conservancy when he was named DENR assistant secretary in 1998, the same year he was honored by the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences with its Distinguished Alumnus Award for Life Sciences.