Tennessee 2025-2026 Regular Session

Tennessee Senate Bill SJR0035 Compare Versions

Only one version of the bill is available at this time.

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2	2	<BillNo> <Sponsor>
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4	4	SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION 35
5	5	By Pody
6	6
7	7
8	8	SJR0035
9	9	002079
10	10	- 1 -
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12	12	A RESOLUTION to recognize Dr. Christopher E. Townson on the
13	13	occasion of his retirement.
14	14
15	15	WHEREAS, it is appropriate that the members of this General Assembly should honor
16	16	those citizens who have performed with uncommon devotion and enthusiasm throughout their
17	17	years of public service; and
18	18	WHEREAS, Dr. Christopher E. Townson is one such estimable individual, who, having
19	19	rendered more than eight years of service as chief executive officer (CEO) of DeKalb Telephone
20	20	Cooperative (DTC), Inc., will take his much-deserved retirement this year; and
21	21	WHEREAS, Dr. Townson began his fruitful career in the telecommunications industry as
22	22	an installer and repairman at Farmers Communication Cooperative in Rainsville, Alabama; he
23	23	rose through the ranks to management positions in 2002 and again in 2010; and
24	24	WHEREAS, with nearly three decades of leadership experience in the
25	25	telecommunications and broadcasting fields, Dr. Townson joined DTC in 2016 and led its
26	26	financial turnaround, ultimately bringing the company from negative net earnings to a flourishing
27	27	and valuable company with strong financial performance; and
28	28	WHEREAS, under his astute leadership, DTC saw a complete overhaul of its aging
29	29	infrastructure; DTC expanded its service area by more than 300 square miles and delivered
30	30	world-class fiber optic technology to its members, a project that stayed under budget and was
31	31	completed four years ahead of schedule; and
32	32	WHEREAS, in addition to his involvement at DTC, Dr. Townson has served as CEO of
33	33	Advantage Cellular Systems, Inc., and First Choice Security, Inc.; additionally, he founded
34	34	FourSight Communications, LLC, which brought broadband to underserved communities; and
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36	36
37	37	- 2 - 002079
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39	39	WHEREAS, a leader in his community and his profession, Dr. Christopher Townson has
40	40	been involved in several committees and industry associations, including NTCA–The Rural
41	41	Broadband Association, the Telecommunications Association of the Southeast, the Tennessee
42	42	Rural Communications Cooperative Association, and the Tennessee Broadband Association,
43	43	which he served in numerous capacities; and
44	44	WHEREAS, Dr. Townson earned an Associate of Science degree in General Studies
45	45	from Northeast Alabama Community College in 1998; a Bachelor of Science degree in
46	46	Organizational Management from Covenant College in 2000; a Master of Business
47	47	Administration degree from the University of Alabama at Birmingham in 2006; and a Doctor of
48	48	Ministry degree in Organizational Leadership from the New Orleans Baptist Theological
49	49	Seminary in 2020; and
50	50	WHEREAS, throughout his estimable career, Dr. Christopher Townson has remained
51	51	committed to innovation and industry leadership, demonstrating the utmost professionalism,
52	52	ability, and integrity, and winning the unbridled respect and admiration of his colleagues and
53	53	community alike; now, therefore,
54	54	BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED FOURTEENTH
55	55	GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF TENNESSEE, THE HOUSE OF
56	56	REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING, that we extend to Dr. Christopher E. Townson our
57	57	heartfelt wishes for a happy and fulfilling retirement and every continued success in his future
58	58	endeavors.
59	59	BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that an appropriate copy of this resolution be prepared
60	60	for presentation with this final clause omitted from such copy and upon proper request made to
61	61	the appropriate clerk, the language appearing immediately following the State seal appear
62	62	without House or Senate designation.