Biography: DVC-BL, BC-BLP
Kelly Townsend (email)
Kelly is a lifelong resident of Hickory, N.C. (about 50 miles N.W. of Charlotte, N.C.). He currently resides in a lakefront neighborhood named after his great uncle who pulled a ferry across the lake with a team of mules in the early 1900s. Kelly has been swimming since the age of 5, and was a Red Cross certified lifeguard as a teen in the mid 70s. He began boating at the age of 7; fishing in a small wooden boat with his uncle. He has been a boat owner since 1986 and PWC owner since 1995. When not involved in Auxiliary activities, most summer weekends you will find him boating on Lake Hickory N.C.
Kelly has had a unique 31 year working career ranging from being in Healthcare, to an engine builder and Technical Inspector for NASCAR, to Quality Control Inspector for large automotive die-casting facility, to Database Administrator and Safety Coordinator for municipal public utilities, to coordinating an EPA award winning methane powered electrical generating facility, to currently being Information Technology Coordinator for the City of Hickory, N.C. Public Libraries & Public Services.
Between 1996 and 2005, Kelly earned Administrator certifications in all aspects of Microsoft Windows operating systems & client computer networking. In 2000, he earned the designation of National Safety Council Certified Safety Administrator. He has attended N.C. State University, University of N.C. (Chapel Hill), and San Francisco City College.
Kelly joined the Coast Guard Auxiliary in Sept. 2004. He was named Flotilla Recruit of the Year in 2005. He has served his Flotilla as FSO- IS, PA, PB, SR, CS, and SO-SR. He was VFC in 2007 and FC in 2008. Kelly is Boat Crew qualified and was mentored in Operations by Chief Petty Officer Jeffrey Egelston, B.M.C. and O.I.C. of Port Huron Station, Michigan. Kelly is also qualified in IT, RBS-PV, VE, and Comms. He has had articles published in several local newspapers and twice in the Navigator. He won District 5SR P.A. award in 2006. Kelly was simultaneously awarded both Division 26 and Flotilla 26-05 Auxiliarist of Year in 2007. He is also a flag bearer in 5SR, Div. 26 Color Guard.