(Note: This Bio was a by-product of an interview by his classmates for his high school website)
Franklin ‘Frank’ Poland
Since high school graduation, Franklin has been known only as Frank. He was surely the youngest member of our class, as he was only fifteen when he graduated.
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For Frank, life in Scottsboro began in 1956 when his family moved from Harriman, Tennessee. His father was relocated by Burlington Mills as an instructor in the new Scottsboro plant. His father was also a minister and became pastor of Ridgedale Baptist Church.
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Events occurring in May, 1962 dramatically altered the course of Frank’s life. He had already made preparations to attend Carson Newman College. However, two weeks after graduation, his father (only 39 years old) suffered a major debilitating stroke which financially devastated his family. The corporate management of Burlington Industries became Frank’s surrogate father, as they realized that he needed guidance and financial help to further his education. Through Burlington’s James E. Love education foundation for employee families, corporate management sponsored his education, dictating the course of his major and related studies. The foundation members envisioned the future being driven by computer technology, therefore, they made the necessary arrangements for Frank to attend an IBM technology-based college.
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After college, Frank spent the next five years with the Department of the Army, maintaining the computer systems that supported our missile defense systems .This is where Frank met his wife, Janie. They have now been married 58+ years, and have two sons, three grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. Frank is very proud of his sons’ accomplishments. The older son, who lives in Chattanooga, was chosen the 2010 FBI Officer of the Year and the 2012 Crisis Intervention Officer of the Year. His younger son works in the music industry and has won a Grammy and three Emmys for music production. He is the production engineer for several major entertainers and lives in Nashville.
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After spending time with the Army five years, Frank joined Computer Sciences Corporation and moved to Savannah, Georgia as Director of Technology for Southeastern Maritime Shipping Corp. In 1970, the family moved to Chattanooga, where Frank and Janie continue to reside. In 1997, he retired as manager of technology with Olan Mills Corporation. Janie also retired that year from a county government position and the two of them spent the next year traveling extensively in the US and Europe. In 1998, Frank and the retired president of Olan Mills teamed up to start Digital Delivery Inc., which became successful in developing web-based digital recognition technology. Olan Mills purchased Digital Delivery Inc. in 2005, implementing the DDI technology as their business model.
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In 2007, Frank upgraded the technology related to plant security for Shaw Corporation. Upon completion of this project, he accepted the position of Director of Security/Technology with the Chattanooga Convention Center to apply the same improvements to their facility. As Director, he met and spent time with many celebrities and dignitaries who perform at the Convention Center. In January, 2010, Frank officially retired. Another fun job was teaching scuba diving and underwater photography. He has taught classes for several years at Baylor and McCallie Schools in Chattanooga.
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In 1976, Sonlife, a Southern Gospel Quartet was formed in which Frank has been active for 47+ years. Sonlife (www.sonlifequartet.com) has 16 recordings and has performed in 3,250+ concerts throughout the Southeast. Frank sings bass. Music is an integral part of his life, and he plays the acoustic guitar.
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Because he has a talent (and training) for technology, and a heart for ministry, Frank has designed, developed and maintains websites for 3rd world country ministries. Today, he supports 134 ministries around the world via technology he personally developed. Frank developed and supports the very website you are viewing now……..for us, the class of 1962.
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Frank and Janie are 47+ year members of Abbas House in Chattanooga where Frank has served as a Deacon.
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Frank rides his motorcycle frequently and serves in various roles in the Christian Motorcyclists Association. His mother, a 98-year-old, enjoyed riding with him until she was 86 years young. Some of his friends called Mrs. Poland Frank’s “biker babe.”
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The darkest moment of Frank’s life was in May, 1962 when his dreams and aspirations of a Carson-Newman education evaporated along with many other visions of his future. However, the course of his life was changed by the Burlington Industries Management who stepped up and took control, guiding his life, sending him on a path of success in the field of technology. He would never have dreamed nor envisioned that path on his own. Frank does not hesitate to embrace Romans 8:28 as his verse proclaiming: “All things work together for good for them that love the Lord!”’
