State Representative Chris Turner, LA Tech Class of ’99, will deliver the keynote address at the summer ’24 graduation ceremony

Louisiana State Representative and Ruston businessman Christopher “Chris” Turner will be the keynote speaker at Louisiana Tech University’s Summer 2024 graduation ceremony on Saturday, August 24 at 10 a.m. in the Thomas Assembly Center on Tech’s campus.

Turner, now in his sixth year representing Louisiana District 12, which includes Lincoln and Union Parishes, was born and raised in north Louisiana. He graduated from Oak Grove High School and earned his degree in business administration from Tech in 1999.

He owns two small businesses, Turner Rexall and Hillside Storage.

“One of the main reasons I wanted this job, besides cutting red tape for small businesses, was to be a voice for the importance of higher education and to make a difference for our universities,” Turner said. “It’s impossible to overstate how important Louisiana Tech is to our region and what a positive difference it has made for me.”

While attending Tech, Turner went to work as a coachman for Brookshire Grocery Company, leaving 25 years later to become manager of the chain’s Ruston location.

Turner, a Republican, won 70 percent of the vote in the 2019 race to fill a vacant seat in the House of Representatives. Turner was re-elected to represent District 12 in October 2023 after the primary and general election were canceled.

He is vice chairman of the Committee on Civil Justice and Procedure and serves on the House Executive Committee, the Committee on Health and Welfare, and the Committee on Agriculture, Forestry, Aquaculture and Rural Development.

His term ends on January 10, 2028.

Turner and his wife Nancy are the proud parents of four children: Gabbie, Aimee, Lyla and Mason. They are members of Trinity United Methodist Church in Ruston. Chris is involved in the Rotary of Lincoln, Rotary of Ruston, Lions Club, Kiwanis, United Way, Boys and Girls Club and other community organizations.