Ty Holmes

As a child, Tyrone “Ty” Holmes’ father taught him the value of helping others and that there can be no greater purpose in life than helping others. He learned that while everyone has individual goals, we all have an obligation to each other and his is something that continues to inspire him every day.

He has the rare distinction of having served in two military branches and spent 10 years in the Navy and 15 in the Army. A decorated combat veteran, he was deployed on military and humanitarian missions around the world, including Afghanistan, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Somalia, and Bosnia. Stateside, he assisted with rescue missions in New Orleans following Hurricane Katrina. Following his military service, Ty was assigned to the Tobyhanna Army Depot, where he oversaw budgets and training curriculum.

Ty is known in Scranton’s activist community as an avid volunteer and advocate for diversity and equitable inclusion. He served as the President of the Lackawanna County Branch of the NAACP, President of Lackawanna County Pro Bono Child Hunger Outreach Partners, Scranton Rotary 1st and 2nd Vice President, and Executive Council Board Member of the Northeastern Pennsylvania Boy Scouts of America. He has also served on the NEPA Youth Shelter Board, Penn State Scranton Advisory Board, Scranton Chamber of Commerce Skills in Scranton Board, ARC of NEPA Board, and United Way Board. He’s also volunteered with Meals on Wheels and the Boys and Girls Club of Northeastern Pennsylvania. He is the Founder and President of A Veteran’s Vision and has also supported Friends of the Forgotten and Rolling Angels Motorcycle Armed Forces.

He became the first Black member of the Scranton School Board and was elected to serve four years as a director. He is also the first man of color to ever win an elected position in the history of the city of Scranton.