Douglas A. Holton, Sr.
Public Member
After a 25-year career advancing through the Milwaukee Fire Department – serving as Firefighter, Lieutenant, Captain, Battalion Chief and Deputy Chief of Fire Operations, Instruction and Training, Construction and Maintenance – Doug Holton was appointed Fire Chief for the City of Saint Paul Department of Fire and Safety Services in 2003. He led and managed a department of over 400 fire personnel and support staff in a city with more than 290,000 residents.
In June 2007, Holton returned to Milwaukee to be sworn in as Milwaukee’s 15th Fire Chief and the first African American Chief in department history. He led a department comprising approximately 1,000 fire, emergency medical and civilian members. Some of Chief Holton’s initiatives included, creating the Milwaukee Fire Department Carbon Monoxide Monitoring Program in 2007; initiated a Labor-Management Safety Committee, and established the first Milwaukee Fire Department/Milwaukee Police Department Arson Investigation Unit in MFD’s history. Under Chief Holton’s leadership, the Milwaukee Fire Department and Firefighters Local 215 were awarded the University of Wisconsin Melvin Lurie Labor-Management Award in 2005.
In 2009, Holton joined Madison College, serving in a number of roles, including Associate Dean for the School of Human and Protective Services and Associate Dean/Liaison to the Fort Atkinson and Watertown Campuses.
Born and raised in Milwaukee as one of nine children, Holton graduated from Marquette University High School and UW-Milwaukee, holding a bachelor’s in criminal justice and a master’s degree in urban studies. While serving as Milwaukee’s Fire Chief, he earned a Graduate Certificate in Homeland Security Management at the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California.
Holton and his wife Josie have celebrated 50 years of marriage and currently reside in the Village of Lannon. They are the proud parents of three adult children and six smart and beautiful grandchildren. Holton has been a dedicated lifetime servant of the community.
"All Wisconsin students should have the opportunity to attend technical college and graduate fully prepared for continuous education, viable careers and a productive life as a proud member of society."
Term Expires May 2025