This Mother’s Day, we’re proud to celebrate Emily Dodd!
This article originally appeared in HOLT CAT NEWS.
Emily Dodd knows what it means to juggle life at full speed. At HOLT CAT, she’s a dedicated part of the team helping customers across Texas build the roads, infrastructure, and growth that drive the region forward. Emily’s passion shines through in her work. She finds joy in helping customers succeed, knowing that the machines and services she supports play a critical role in building Texas’ future. For her, success comes from building deep partnerships and making sure every customer has exactly what they need to get the job done right. But when Emily clocks out, her day is far from over — in fact, that’s when “Mom life” kicks into high gear.
Emily and her husband Marcus have been married for 22 years, their relationship built on the solid foundation of college-sweetheart beginnings and the resilience that comes from 21 years of military life, including nine deployments. Together they’ve raised their son, Chapman, now 13, and built a busy, fulfilling life in Corpus Christi. Their family also includes two dogs, three horses, one particularly ornery donkey, cattle, and a rotating lineup of show lambs, rabbits, and steers — a perfect fit for a family deeply involved in the 4-H and livestock show world.
Outside of work, Emily’s calendar is packed. Whether she’s acting as the family’s taxi driver to baseball practice and 4-H projects, organizing events, cooking, or sneaking in early morning runs with friends, she’s always moving. When there’s time to breathe, she enjoys days on the boat in the bay or relaxing at the ranch with her family.
When asked what word her son would use to describe her, Chapman didn’t hesitate: “Caring.” Emily agrees. She admits she sets the bar high when it comes to caring — whether it’s about schoolwork, homework, livestock projects, or athletics — but she also believes in creating space for self-motivation and ownership. As she puts it, “I care, a lot, and your job is to care more.” It’s an approach that not only shapes her parenting but also guides her leadership at HOLT CAT.
Being a mom, Emily says, has deeply influenced how she approaches her role at work. Just like at home, there are always competing demands and priorities. For her, it’s all about staying focused on what matters most: at home, that’s family; at work, it’s the customer. “If you always have that as the true north, your compass is a lot easier to read,” she says.
When asked what advice she’d offer other moms balancing career and family, Emily’s words come from a place of both honesty and encouragement: “Breathe, mama.” She understands that motherhood comes in seasons — sometimes busy, sometimes overwhelming, sometimes unbalanced, and sometimes beautifully aligned. She encourages moms to find their tribe, talk to other working parents, and share their juggling tips and tricks. And perhaps most importantly, she reminds them to laugh, especially when life with a teenager (or any child) throws the unexpected their way.
This Mother’s Day, we’re proud to celebrate Emily Dodd — not just for the dedication she brings to HOLT CAT, but for the care, resilience, and heart she pours into her family, her work, and her community.
