First published in the March 19 edition
Christopher Thornton has announced his candidacy for the office of Dade County Commissioner, District 3, South Dade. Thornton is a senior manager with Infosys
Technologies and was formerly with Accenture and Computer Sciences Corporation. He is also an information technology advisor to Standard & Poors.
As a young man, he served as a missile guidance technician for the U.S. Army 101st Airborne Division and was part of the last class who parachuted. Additionally, he has served in the Alabama National Guard, the Alabama Air Guard and the Georgia Air Force Reserve.
Having over 20 years in leadership positions with large corporations, gives Thornton unique leadership skills to guide complex changes among hundreds of people with varied ideas and opinions. He has been called on to manage special projects for executive leadership due to his abilities to create collaboration and his ability to envision the goal and build the path to success.
Thornton received his undergraduate degree from Auburn University and attended Jones School of Law.
“I was unable to fulfill my dream of law because I was working as a civilian for the Air Force Surgeon General’s Office which involved my travel overseas for several weeks each month. This constant travel took me out of the lectures of law school and the president of the school warned me that if you can’t make the lectures you will be lost. So, I proudly chose supporting my family instead,” he said.
Thornton and his wife Donna, an assistant principle at Dade County High School, moved to Trenton from Marietta so Donna could work with a smaller school system. Both feel they have been welcomed with “surprising kindness” and southern hospitality. This is a rather noticeable change for both of them who have spent many years in the Atlanta area.
When asked what inspired Thornton to run for political office, he said, “…I don’t see it as a political office, to me it is a position of service and service is what makes us better Christians.
The feeling of community and how people here have accepted my family inspired me to work for the citizens of Dade County and help them build their dreams.”
Thornton has worked on the Ronald Reagan, George Bush (41 and 43) and Pat Robertson presidential campaigns, along with serving as the lead technical advisor for Guy Hunt’s successful governor race in Alabama. He also ran for mayor of Columbiana, Ala. As member of the Optimist Club, Woodmen of the World and past president of Kiwanis, Thornton has worked for years helping others.
The Thorntons have four grown children and one granddaughter.
More information about his campaign can be found at www.thornton2008.com or you can call him at (706) 657–8325.
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