Annual Meeting & Installation of 2024 Board of Directors, Social

CDR (Ret.) Chris Townsend began his 22-year United States Navy career as a P-3C Pilot/Mission Commander aboard NAS Barbers Point, Hawaii. During his three overseas deployments, he conducted post- Desert Storm operations and extensive anti-submarine/anti-surface warfare missions around the globe. He also spent extensive time with DESRON 7 aboard the USS Constellation (CV-64), over 15 years as a Navy Instructor Pilot on various Navy aircraft and finished his career as the Commanding Officer of Operational Support Unit 0355 in Orlando, Florida.

Employed as a Delta Air Lines pilot in 1997, Towny has spent his career flying internationally on the Boeing 777 and the Airbus A350, Delta’s Flag Ship, conducting ultra-long-haul operations throughout the world. In 2021, he upgraded to Captain on the A350 and then as an A350 Line Check Pilot/Instructor. Chris has also worked in Central Florida’s Modeling, Simulation and Training sector with BGI, LLC, specializing in military aviation training.

Chris served the Navy League of the United States, Central Florida Council . After serving as the council’s Executive Vice President for two years, he began his two-year term as the Central Florida Navy League’s President in January of 2018. At the 2019 convention, Chris was elected as a National Vice President of the Navy League of the United States. In January 2021, he was elected as the National Senior Vice President for the organization. At the 2022 Navy League National Convention, Towny was elected to be the 52nd Navy League National President and Chairman of the Board and was installed into office at our 2023 National Convention this June in Dallas, Texas for his two-year term in office.

Chris, a native of Va. Beach, Virginia, is married to Betsy Townsend, Pharm.D. They reside in Ocoee, Florida.  They have three children - two daughters - Lauren, who graduated from the University of Alabama then law school, and Morgan, who is a graduate of the University of Florida. Their son Connor graduated from the University of Florida May in 2020 with a Finance degree, commissioned as an Ensign in the United States Navy, completed Naval pilot training, earning his wings and designated a Naval Aviator.  Heavy Hor dOuevres & Cash Bar