Townsend Invests In Career to Help Others

When Tanya Townsend applied to join the security team at TVA’s Brown’s Ferry Nuclear Plant a little over 20 years ago, she had never even held a weapon. She was a single mom with three jobs looking for a new start, and TVA gave her the chance to shoot her shot — literally.

“I was a little nervous the first day I went to start my NRA certification for weapons training,” Townsend said. “My son — who was eight years old at the time — gave me his peewee football pad to protect my shoulder because the shotgun had a tremendous kick. My son has supported me since the beginning — it has always been me and him.” 

Fast-forward through those long days of training on the range and tactical courses, and you’ll find a seasoned officer with detective strategies, defensive prowess and a fierce dedication to TVA. 

“They gave me a chance and saw potential when I didn’t even see it in myself,” Townsend shared. “That’s why I love TVA. I’m charged with keeping the plant and personnel safe. I feel like I bring value to the organization because keeping the plant safe translates into power production. If we do our job, we are protecting the whole Valley region.” 

Now, Townsend is charged with hiring and training newcomers. She sees herself in so many of them — eager to learn and to serve. 

“Now that I'm a hiring manager, I make it my mission to look for those people like me who didn't have the experience and give them opportunities.” 

Amidst this new era of security training and direct support, Townsend has unearthed a new passion — caring for people. In her current role, she works alongside colleagues helping them figure out parental leave, adoption, bereavement, interview skills and so much more. 

“I like gunnin' and runnin',” Townsend laughed. “But, I'm happiest when I've helped someone through a tough situation.” 

And that’s when it dawned on her. Townsend wanted to invest in her fellow co-workers by investing in herself. Thanks to the tuition reimbursement program at TVA, she is, class-by-class, pursuing a degree in human resource management.  

The program is open to all full-time annual employees with a minimum of two years of TVA service in an annual position. After the approval of her manager, Townsend began to enroll in classes. Each time she completes a class with a grade of B or higher, she is automatically reimbursed. The reimbursement limit is $5,250 per calendar year for all approved programs.   

Townsend’s support system is paramount to her success.  

“My manager, David Mendoza, is an unsung hero of this,” Townsend said. “He’s allowed me to be flexible with hours so I could attend my classes. And honestly, it wasn’t until him that I felt I could actually do this. 

“Up until now, I have lived for everyone else,” Townsend said, her eyes fixed on graduation in 2026, “but now it’s time to live for me. If I could give advice to anyone, it’d be don’t put off your dreams.” 

Townsend credits her tenacity to various adversities she’s faced in her life. Divorce, single-parenting, caretaking of nieces, multiple jobs and 12-hour shifts have been the fire that has forged her growth. 

“I’ve been through a lot, and that means I know where someone is coming from,” she said. 

She shared an experience with a colleague that illustrates her protective and compassionate trajectory from security to human resources. 

“I’ve been working with a colleague who is transgender,” Townsend said. “I don’t ever want to be overbearing, but I want this individual to be successful and know that I’m there with them no matter what. During a busy outage season at Brown’s Ferry, I showed them where the single-use, gender neutral bathroom was. It’s little things like this that can make a difference in someone’s life. 

“I want this person to know — whatever it is, I’ve got your back. You have to treat people with respect, and I make that my business.” 

With Townsend’s superhero tendencies, it’s no surprise that her favorite fictional character is Professor X, the comic book legend who assembled the X-Men. 

“He had telepathy and powers, sure,” Townsend said, “but his legacy is his influence. He rallied people who were different — like him — and helped to create an inclusive environment, one where people who were different could feel they belong.  

“There is often so much hate for what we look like and who we love. I want to be known as being a positive influence of inclusion. I always want to be in a position where I can reach people and let my light shine.”