Roy Holdt (1920–2001) retired as chairman of the board and chief executive officer of White Consolidated Industries, a manufacturer of machine tools and home appliances. In 1985, Sales and Marketing Executives of Cleveland named him Business Executive of the Year. Born in Edgewood Arsenal, Maryland, Holdt served with the U.S. Army in Europe during World War II and was awarded the Croix de Guerre with Bronze Star from the French government. After graduating from Dyke College in Cleveland, he went to work for Apex Electrical Manufacturing, which was acquired by White Consolidated in 1956. He was named executive vice president in 1969, president and chief operating officer in 1972, and chairman and CEO in 1976. Holdt served on the boards of Cleveland Tomorrow, Greater Cleveland Roundtable, Leadership Cleveland, PlayhouseSquare Foundation, Cleveland Vocational Guidance Services and Dyke College.