Community leader Chip Townsend – A profile

Submitted by Don Parker

Chip Townsend is truly a remarkable man. He is only 57 years old, has a beautiful wife Barbi of 34 years, two seemingly super talented children, Kyle 28, studying toward his PhD at Auburn University, and Olivia, 22, an Auburn graduate and now getting a Masters at Oregon. She has enrolled in the Peace Corp. and will live and work in Mongolia for 27 months. Wow!

But, back to Chip. This dedicated man and wife Barbi have chosen to spend their retirement years here on Amelia Island. And more good news, they have moved “down town” to 6th street. Where they will continue to be significant assets to this town.

How did this community spirit get started? Actually, to me, Chip’s story seems pre-determined. Both his Father and Mother died in the early 1990’s. His dad was career military for 30 years, but, he started a bank after retirement and was Chairman of the Board until he died.

Although Chip earned an accounting degree at Auburn in December of 1979 and worked in the manufacturing world for a short time, he got into banking early in his career, joining City National Bank in Dothan, Alabama. It took him 3 years to become President. He was 27 years old. So, when he was chosen to open the “First Coast Community Bank” at age 29, he was young for the job, but had already been a bank president before. They started with 9 employees 27 years ago. The bank has grown significantly over the years but what Chip takes the most pride in is the positive impact the bank has had on its customers. As Chip put it, “Our business customers deserve all the credit for the success of their businesses, but it is rewarding to know that we played a small part in so many successes.”

What Chip didn’t volunteer was how involved he has been, and still is, in Nassau County. He has retired as President of his bank, but is still “Chair of the bank’s Advisory Board of Directors.” He is also Board Member and past chair of “Baptist Medical Center” and serves on the finance Committee as well.

Rotary is another great, non-profit, international group where he has excelled. He helped start the Amelia Island Sunrise Club, is still very active, and a Past President.

The list of his past memberships is staggering. American Cancer, Fernandina Beach High School Business Partner, Barnabas, Nassau Economic Development Board, United Way, etc. etc.

I am pleased to be able to tell you that I am 100% certain that Chip and his family will continue to be a large and much loved asset to this community for years to come.

Congratulations, Chip. Your story is truly a classic.

Editor’s Note: One of the founders of the Amelia Island Book Festival, Don Parker is a poet, writer, and author. Parker dedicates this series to introduce some of the many bright, capable and caring people who have help make Fernandina Beach and Amelia Island such a wonderful and exciting place to live. We thank Don for his contribution to the  Fernandina Observer.

April 3, 2014 7:45 a.m.