Meet Chris Holden | Shipping and Scheduling Manager | Terra Star

Meet Chris Holden - Shipping and Scheduling Manager at Terra Star

Professional Background:

Chris Holden is the Shipping and Scheduling Manager at Terra Star, bringing over two decades of experience in pipe manufacturing. His career began with 8.5 years in the United States Air Force, where he earned degrees in Aerospace Science and Education History. After his military service, he transitioned into education, spending six years as a teacher and coach before moving into the manufacturing industry.

Starting as a production lineman, Chris quickly advanced to Quality Manager, where he led audits for NSF, ISO, and ISO 9001 standards over a 12-year span. He later became a Plant Scheduler/Planner, achieving an impressive 92% on-time shipment rate. This February, marked two years with Terra Star, where he continues optimizing the Shipping and Scheduling departments to enhance efficiency and reliability.

A Day in the Life at Terra Star

Chris oversees the Shipping and Scheduling Departments, ensuring smooth operations and on-time shipments. His role involves strategic planning, coordinating shipments, and maintaining high operational standards to meet customer demands.

What Chris Enjoys Most About Terra Star

One of the biggest perks of working at Terra Star is being out of the corporate world. Chris also enjoys reconnecting with former coworkers from the Boreflex days, making his experience even more rewarding.

Advice for Prospective Terra Star Team Members

Show up every day, take the time to understand your job, and don’t be afraid to try something new when the opportunity arises.

Current Reading & Shows

Chris is currently reading The Little Book of Breaking 80. He enjoys watching Yellowstone, Landman, and Animal Kingdom with his wife. He’s also an avid sports fan, following the Kansas City Chiefs, Mizzou Tigers, and St. Louis Cardinals—whether on TV or listening to the games on the radio.

Professional Goals

Two years ago, Chris’s professional goals were very different, as he was focused on surviving the daily grind of corporate America. At Terra Star, his vision is to help the company become the best pipe manufacturer possible. He hopes to see Terra Star expand and make a lasting impact on the industry.

Life Outside Work

Chris loves traveling with his wife, particularly trips to Hot Springs, AR, where they enjoy betting on horse races. Most of their time is spent with their three grandkids—Layton, Trace, and Kleveland.

He is also an avid outdoorsman, enjoying hunting and fishing. Every year, he gathers with a group of friends for a deer camp tradition that has lasted over 20 years. Additionally, he enjoys playing golf whenever he has the opportunity.