The board of directors of the American Friends of Jamaica (AFJ) are deeply saddened to announce the recent passing of Ambassador Glen Holden, our beloved President Emeritus, Director and Trustee.

Ambassador Holden served as the US Ambassador to Jamaica from 1989 to 1993, leaving an indelible mark on diplomatic relations during his tenure. Beginning his career as a life insurance agent in the 1950s, he rose to become chairman and CEO of Security First Group and affiliated companies, where he pioneered industry standards that endure today. Ambassador Holden was deeply engaged in various professional, civic, cultural, and educational endeavours. For 17 years, he served as president of the American Friends of Jamaica and contributed significantly to its board of directors.

The late ambassador received a special recognition by the president of the United States to Jamaica’s Prime Minister by hosting three important visits to the U.S. and the White House. Additionally, he spent two years encouraging the Japanese Government to commence a programme of AID to Jamaica.

Ambassador Holden had strong personal relations with the US Military. He used these personal contacts to set in motion a series of valuable enhancements to US Military and Jamaican relations. He requested support from his good friend, US Marine Commandant General P.X. Kelly, Member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, with General Colin Powell then serving as Chairman. Other highlights include:

1. Encouraged the Commander and Chief of the Atlantic Forces, CINCLANT, to have one or more US war ships to make port visits to Jamaica each year he was there. One visit was to be on the US Independence Day, 4th of July each year.
2. The US National Guard arranged a series of deployments of overseas workforces to bivouac in Jamaica and build needed roads, bridges and to build Basic Schools.
3. Scheduled a visit by Colin Powell, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff to his father’s childhood home. General Powell also visited U.S. Military groups working in Jamaica and made other public appearances.
4. He was instrumental in developing the project “Roofs for Hurricane Victims of Jamaica”. The project was to raise material for 1000 Roofs destroyed by Hurricane Dean.

Ambassador Holden served the AFJ for 23 years and operated as president for 17 years. His successor was Ambassador Sue Cobb. Ambassador Holden has personally endowed scholarships at the University of the West Indies (UWI) and also initiated a challenge Grant to the United Way of Jamaica to match large individual donations to Jamaica Charities. Ambassador Holden convinced all six living US Ambassadors to Jamaica at the time to support and serve Jamaica through the American Friends of Jamaica (AFJ).

His legacy extends to his family where he will be greatly missed by his son Glen A. Holden Jr., daughter Geannie Holden Sheller. He was predeceased by his beloved wife, Gloria Ann Holden nee McClintock and daughter Georgianne Holden. He will be missed by his 8 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.

Holden lived by the conviction that every challenge and dispute holds reasonable and valuable solutions—a belief that guided his actions and touched the lives of many.