Justice Advocate Mark Holden to Be Presented with Charles Colson Award

PRESS CONFERENCE ON THURSDAY, DECEMBER 6

Prior to the awards ceremony at the Capitol Hill Club Thursday evening, December 6^th, a press conference will be held at the Heritage Foundation's Pennsylvania Avenue location at 227 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE in Washington, D.C. from 4:30pm until 5:30pm. The evening ceremony is closed press but all members of the credentialed D.C. media are invited to attend the press conference.

Please RSVP to Jim Forbes at [email protected] to attend the press conference.

PARTICIPATING IN THE PRESS CONFERENCE:

• Mark Holden, Senior Vice President, General Counsel, and Corporate Secretary of Koch Industries, Inc.
• James Ackerman, President and CEO, Prison Fellowship.
• Craig DeRoche, Senior VP of Advocacy and Public Policy, Prison Fellowship.
• Alice Johnson, author and returning citizen who received clemency from President Trump earlier this year.

Mark Holden has proven indispensable in advancing justice that restores in America,"  James Ackerman, president and CEO, Prison Fellowship.  "His leadership has paved a path of bipartisan support for proportional punishment, constructive prison culture, second chances, and safer communities. As the recipient for the 2018 Advocate of Hope, Mark exhibits a passion for biblical principles of justice that is rare and valuable."

"Mark Holden has built bridges across the aisle to garner support for criminal justice reform, mobilizing a coalition of lawmakers, the private sector, and grassroots," Craig DeRoche, senior vice president of advocacy and public policy, Prison Fellowship."He is committed to pursuing criminal justice reform at the federal and state levels."

"Charles Colson was a dedicated and tireless advocate for people who wanted to transform their lives and needed a voice on their behalf."  Mark Holden, senior vice president, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary of Koch Industries, Inc.  "To receive an award in his name is truly the honor of a lifetime."

"I fight for criminal justice reform because it is the right thing to do morally, fiscally, and constitutionally," Holden added. "I also believe strongly in God's word that all human beings, including those who make mistakes, are worthy of a meaningful second chance. Through the power of faith and restoration, we can make the world a safer place for families and communities and give people, especially the least fortunate among us, an opportunity to fulfill their God-given value and potential."

"Thanks to the amazing work being done around the country by Prison Fellowship, I will always be inspired to advance policies that create a more redemptive, restorative, and rehabilitative criminal justice system," said Holden.

Mark Holden is also president and COO of the Legal Division of Koch Companies Public Sector, LLC, which provides legal, government and public affairs services to Koch Industries, Inc. and its affiliates.  In addition, he also serves as Chairman of the Board of Freedom Partners Chamber of Commerce, Inc. as well as Chairman of the Board of Americans for Prosperity Foundation.

Mr. Holden began his career with Koch Industries in 1995 as a litigation attorney and was vice president and general counsel for litigation and compliance. He has worked with the various Koch companies on a variety of litigation, regulatory, compliance, and commercial issues.