Menu
Inducted October 2024
In recognition of Daryl Holt for his contributions to entertainment and gaming in the modeling, simulation and training (MS&T) industry which has helped establish Central Florida as a technology hub with unlimited potential. For over 20 years, Mr. Holt has led the development of award-winning sports simulations for Electronic Arts (EA) and has become a widely respected leader in Central Florida’s technology industry. As an EA senior vice president, he led the creation of a popular collection of games that have influenced pop culture and gaming culture, such as the “Madden NFL” franchise, as well as intellectual property in the development of high-definition, mobile, and emerging platforms. Mr. Holt has been recognized for his leadership and contributions to MS&T, entertainment, and his service to the Orlando Economic Partnership’s executive board of directors, the Florida High Tech Corridor Council, and the Innovate Orlando board. Mr. Holt’s leadership philosophy of “move forward together” has set him apart as a local and industry leader, which has enabled EA to cement its legacy in interactive entertainment and inspired the world to play.
Daryl Holt is a senior vice president at Electronic Arts (EA) SPORTS and general manager for EA Tiburon’s development studios in Orlando, Austin, and Madrid. He oversees a portfolio of popular video game franchises that includes Madden NFL, EA SPORTS PGA TOUR and EA SPORTS College Football, as well as additional intellectual property in development on high-definition, mobile and emerging platforms. Holt is also responsible for EA’s global American football business, managing strategy and operations in Florida. He serves as a key leader in local community, diversity, equity and inclusion, education and legislative efforts.
Holt began his tenure at EA Tiburon in 2004 in art production management. He has since led the development of many world-famous game titles and delivered several award-winning sports simulations for EA. This has included user-generated content, dynamic lighting systems, animation systems, AI-driven automated testing, machine-learning deformers for secondary animation and simulation build management systems. Holt was a key architect of EA’s game development framework, and an industry pioneer in using analytics and insights for game development and live services.
Holt serves on the Orlando Economic Partnership’s executive board of directors, the Florida High Tech Corridor Council, and he chairs the Innovate Orlando board. Florida Trend has recognized him as one of Florida’s “500 Most Influential Business Leaders” (2018-2023). Crain Communication’s has listed him one of the “Crain 100,” and the Orlando Business Journal has included him in its “20 People to Watch in 2020” and “Central Florida’s 2022 Power Players.”
