Gregory Holmes stands outside his office. Holmes is the new district manager at the Social Security Administration’s Chattanooga offices.Gregory Holmes brings a scientific approach to helping Chattanooga’s senior and disabled population.
After earning a degree in botany from the University of Tennessee, Holmes interviewed with the Social Security Administration in 1991 about a job and quickly discovered his disciplined approach was well suited for one of the biggest federal government agencies. Two decades after joining SSA as a claims representative, the 45-year-old former botanist is managing the Social Security offices in Chattanooga, Cleveland and Athens, Tenn.
“You almost have to apply a scientific method to a [Social Security] claim as you go through the process of each application from start to finish,” said Holmes, who was promoted this summer to district manager for Social Security in Chattanooga. “The claim representatives that are most successful are those that are well organized and focused in their approach.”
But dealing with thousands of Social Security applicants and recipients every year is far different than any science lab.
“There’s never a dull moment and always something different and challenging,” Holmes said.