Harry Holiday - Business Career With Armco

Business Career With Armco

In 1949, Holiday went to work for steelmaker Armco, Inc. (originally American Rolling Mill Co.), where his father had been a plant manager for many years. Holiday began as an assistant metallurgist in the company's Middletown, Ohio plant, and stayed with the company for 36 years until his retirement. He was appointed president in 1974, and chief executive officer in May 1979, and added the title of chairman in 1982. Holiday, "known for his optimistic determination, helped lead the steel industry through the boom of the 1960s and the troubled times that followed in the 1970s and 80's." He frequently called on the federal government to ensure that steel imports were legal, and, facing an economic downturn in the 1970s, pushed Armco to diversify. In 1984, Holiday had a heart attack, but recovered and returned to his position as Armco's CEO. Holiday retired from Armco in January 1986 and later served as a director for Adience, Inc., NBD Bank, N.A., ASARCO Incorporated, and Birmingham Steel Corp. In 1998, as Armco fell on hard times, Holiday and the company's other retired executives successfully sued to restore life insurance benefits granted under a plan that was supposed to last their lifetimes.

In February 1999, Holiday died of a heart attack in Boynton Beach, Florida. Holiday was survived by his wife of 51 years, Kay Watson Holiday, a daughter, Edith, two sons, Harry Holiday III, and Albert Holiday.