Jeff Holden has been employed by the State of South Dakota since 1985. He was the director of the South Dakota State Energy Conservation Program from 1985 through 1989. From 1989-1992, he served as director of the South Dakota Community Assistance Program, managing Community Services Block Grant, Victims of Crime Assistance and Domestic Violence Programs. In 1992, he was appointed director of the South Dakota Office of Highway Safety in 1992 and added duties of director of the South Dakota Division of Human Rights in 1997. He became director of the South Dakota Office of Purchasing and Printing (now Office of Procurement Management) in July of 1999. He is current NASPO Past-President (2007-2008).

Holden graduated Cum Laude from Yankton College in Yankton South Dakota in 1979 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and a History minor. He and his wife Staci have three children, Halli, Sam and Mollie. They reside in Pierre.