Banking Executive James M. "Chip" Townsend Named Chairman of Baptist Medical Center Nassau Board

Jacksonville, Florida, April 18, 2007 -- Baptist Health is pleased to announce that James M. "Chip" Townsend has been named chairman of the Baptist Medical Center Nassau Board of Directors. He previously served as vice chairman of the Baptist Nassau board, of which he has been a member since 2004.

Townsend is president, CEO and chairman of First Coast Community Bank in Fernandina Beach. He has served as president and CEO of the bank since 1987 when it was founded, and as chairman of the board since 1993. First Coast Community Bank is an affiliate of Synovus Financial Corp., having been acquired by Synovus in 1991.

Townsend is past chairman of the Nassau County Economic Development Board and the Florida Bankers Educational Foundation, past president of the Amelia Island/Fernandina Beach/Yulee Chamber of Commerce, and has served as chairman of the United Way's Nassau County Campaign.

Townsend's current and previous community activities include volunteer service as chairman of the Fernandina Beach High School Business Partners, board member of the Barnabas Center and the Rotary Club, advisory board member for the Samaritan Clinic and the Amelia Island Museum of History, and Finance Committee chairman for Memorial United Methodist Church in Fernandina Beach. He also serves on the Government Relations Council of the Florida Bankers Association and on the Finance Committee of the Amelia Book Island Festival.

Jim Mayo, FACHE, administrator of Baptist Nassau, says, "I have known Chip Townsend almost as long as I have been at Baptist Medical Center Nassau. He has led United Way, the Chamber of Commerce and been active in support of our public schools. When you need help moving something forward in our community, Chip Townsend is always on the short list of 'go-to' people. I could not ask for a more community-committed person to serve as chairman of our board." --