Tim was born March 5, 1957, and is a native of St. Clair, PA. Tim's family has a long history of public service. His father, Joseph "Sox" Holden, was a four-term County Commissioner. His great-grandfather, John Siney, was founder of the Miners Benevolent Association, which evolved into the United Mine Workers.

After attending St. Mary's Elementary School and St. Clair Area High School, he received an athletic scholarship to Fork Union Military Academy, completing one year of college prep. Tim earned a football scholarship to the University of Richmond but an unfortunate bout with tuberculosis cut short his college career. After recuperating, Tim completed his education at Bloomsburg University, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in sociology.

Tim earned his license as an insurance broker in 1983 and as a real estate agent in 1980, enabling him to gain experience in the family business. Tim went on to work as a probation officer and then sergeant-at-arms for the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. From 1985 to 1992, Tim served as Sheriff of Schuylkill County. As Sheriff, Tim started the D.A.R.E. (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) program to educate school children about the dangers of drugs.

Tim is a member of the Agriculture Committee since 1993, serving on the Department Operations, Oversight, Nutrition, and Forestry Subcommittee, along with serving as the Ranking Member on the Conservation, Credit, Rural Development, and Research Subcommittee. He was appointed to the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee in the 105th Congress and serves on the Subcommittees on Highways and Transit and Aviation. He was also appointed to the Resources Committee in the 107th Congress.

He and his wife Gwen live in St. Clair, PA.