Wayne Holland

Wayne Holland is the former chairman of the Utah Democratic Party. He was first elected in 2005, and reelected in 2007 and 2009. He chose to not run again in 2011.

Holland grew up in a family deeply involved in politics. His grandfather was an activist in the Democratic Farmer Labor Party of Minnesota, and his father was an engineer and a Union representative. In high school he was class president and involved in social-service organizations. As a college student he became chief labor liaison in the political campaigns. He supported himself by working in the copper mines during summer-school breaks. In 1982, he was appointed president of Front Lash, a major labor organization of union members and college students dedicated to engaging young Americans in political processes, and had to face the problems associated with unemployment of copper miners. He organized fundraisers for the Polish Union organization Solidarnosc and for the Anti-Apartheid movements in South Africa. He held that position for nine years. During this period he negotiated for USW (United Steel Workers) 117 bargaining agreements and arbitrations. He handled over 140 district cases, especially at Kennecott mines. He was able to win the 83% of the cases.

Holland was born in 1958 in Magna, a copper mining town a few miles west of Salt Lake City, Utah. He graduated from Cyprus High School. Then he attended Utah State University, University of Utah, and Antioch University, with a major in Labor Economics and Labor Law. He is married and has two sons.