<BillNo> <Sponsor>
SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION 407
By Pody
SJR0407
006954
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A RESOLUTION to recognize and commend Dr. Christopher E.
Townson for his leadership in the
telecommunications and broadband industry.
WHEREAS, it is fitting that the members of this General Assembly should acknowledge
and applaud those community leaders who are wholly devoted to enhancing the quality of life
for their fellow citizens and improving and enriching the place they all call home; and
WHEREAS, one such individual is Dr. Christopher E. Townson, who has distinguished
himself as a leader in the telecommunications industry, most notably during his tenure as Chief
Executive Officer of DTC Communications from May 2016 to January 2025; and
WHEREAS, with nearly three decades of experience in telecommunications and
broadband, Dr. Chris Townson has consistently delivered strategic management, innovation,
and financial stewardship while maintaining a people-first, servant-leadership approach; and
WHEREAS, under his stewardship, DTC Communications embarked upon and
completed a transformative $140 million Fiber-to-the-Home initiative, expanding the
cooperative's service area by more than 300 square miles and achieving full fiber-to-the-
premises coverage over four years ahead of schedule and under budget; and
WHEREAS, DTC Communications experienced remarkable growth under Dr. Townson's
leadership, nearly doubling its annual revenue and increasing its overall valuation by 230
percent, while also securing over $25 million in grant funding to support broadband expansion;
and
WHEREAS, Dr. Chris Townson's experience extends to managing multi-divisional
corporations and fostering strong relationships with boards of directors, regulatory agencies,
and industry stakeholders, and he has played a pivotal role in founding and operating an
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organization dedicated to helping electric cooperatives and municipalities enter the broadband
space; and
WHEREAS, a scholar as well as a practitioner, Dr. Townson holds both a Master of
Business Administration degree and a Doctorate in Organizational Leadership, underscoring his
strategic vision and operational expertise; and
WHEREAS, his contributions to the telecommunications industry include his involvement
in key industry associations, including NTCA – The Rural Broadband Association and the
Tennessee Broadband Association, where he has served on various committees and shared his
insights as a sought-after speaker; and
WHEREAS, in addition to his many professional achievements, Dr. Chris Townson
serves faithfully as an elder at The Journey Church in Lebanon, embodying his dedication to
faith, family, leadership, and community service; and
WHEREAS, throughout his estimable career, Dr. Townson has demonstrated the utmost
professionalism, ability, and integrity; 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 honor and commend Dr. Christopher E.
Townson for his outstanding contributions to the telecommunications industry and the people of
Tennessee and extend to him our best wishes for success and happiness in all 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.
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