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SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION 35
By Pody
SJR0035
002079
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A RESOLUTION to recognize Dr. Christopher E. Townson on the
occasion of his retirement.
WHEREAS, it is appropriate that the members of this General Assembly should honor
those citizens who have performed with uncommon devotion and enthusiasm throughout their
years of public service; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Christopher E. Townson is one such estimable individual, who, having
rendered more than eight years of service as chief executive officer (CEO) of DeKalb Telephone
Cooperative (DTC), Inc., will take his much-deserved retirement this year; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Townson began his fruitful career in the telecommunications industry as
an installer and repairman at Farmers Communication Cooperative in Rainsville, Alabama; he
rose through the ranks to management positions in 2002 and again in 2010; and
WHEREAS, with nearly three decades of leadership experience in the
telecommunications and broadcasting fields, Dr. Townson joined DTC in 2016 and led its
financial turnaround, ultimately bringing the company from negative net earnings to a flourishing
and valuable company with strong financial performance; and
WHEREAS, under his astute leadership, DTC saw a complete overhaul of its aging
infrastructure; DTC expanded its service area by more than 300 square miles and delivered
world-class fiber optic technology to its members, a project that stayed under budget and was
completed four years ahead of schedule; and
WHEREAS, in addition to his involvement at DTC, Dr. Townson has served as CEO of
Advantage Cellular Systems, Inc., and First Choice Security, Inc.; additionally, he founded
FourSight Communications, LLC, which brought broadband to underserved communities; and
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WHEREAS, a leader in his community and his profession, Dr. Christopher Townson has
been involved in several committees and industry associations, including NTCA–The Rural
Broadband Association, the Telecommunications Association of the Southeast, the Tennessee
Rural Communications Cooperative Association, and the Tennessee Broadband Association,
which he served in numerous capacities; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Townson earned an Associate of Science degree in General Studies
from Northeast Alabama Community College in 1998; a Bachelor of Science degree in
Organizational Management from Covenant College in 2000; a Master of Business
Administration degree from the University of Alabama at Birmingham in 2006; and a Doctor of
Ministry degree in Organizational Leadership from the New Orleans Baptist Theological
Seminary in 2020; and
WHEREAS, throughout his estimable career, Dr. Christopher Townson has remained
committed to innovation and industry leadership, demonstrating the utmost professionalism,
ability, and integrity, and winning the unbridled respect and admiration of his colleagues and
community alike; now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED FOURTEENTH
GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF TENNESSEE, THE HOUSE OF
REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING, that we extend to Dr. Christopher E. Townson our
heartfelt wishes for a happy and fulfilling retirement and every continued success in his future
endeavors.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that an appropriate copy of this resolution be prepared
for presentation with this final clause omitted from such copy and upon proper request made to
the appropriate clerk, the language appearing immediately following the State seal appear
without House or Senate designation.