RANDOLPH J. TOWNSEND, M.Ed.

Biography

Senator Randolph J. Townsend has served in the Nevada State Senate from 1983 to 2001. He also serves as President and Board Member of NorthStar Investors, Inc. His legislative service includes:
Nevada Senate, 1983-2001, three special and ten regular sessions; Chairman, Council of State Governments' National Task Force on Child Care; Chairman, Senate Committee on Commerce and Labor, 1987-1989, 1993-2001; Chairman, Legislative Commission, 1995-1997; Chairman, Legislative Commission's Utility Oversight Committee, 1997-1998; and State Chairman, American Legislative Exchange Council.

Since his entry into the Legislature, Senator Townsend has played a vital role in shaping the state's health care policies, serving as a member of both the joint standing Committee on Health Care and the Senate Committee on Human Resources. These committees have overseen health care cost containment legislation and medical malpractice and managed care reform. In 1997 and 1999, Senator Townsend was responsible for securing massive funding to enhance mental health services throughout the state and improving insurance coverage for people with severe mental illness. The 1997 funding plan represented the largest legislative appropriation for mental health services approved in the nation for that year. Throughout his legislative involvement in health care issues, a constant theme has been his commitment to wellness and prevention.

He has served on numerous civic boards and councils including: Advisory Board, Committee to Aid Abused Women; Chairman, Coalition for Affordable Energy, 1980-present; National Council of Senior Citizens; Chairman, Washoe Association for Retarded Citizens; Adjunct Faculty, University of Nevada, Reno; Pi Delta Phi; Board of Directors, Junior Achievement of Northern Nevada; Teen View, Inc.; Nevada Business Week, Inc.; National Conference of Christians and Jews; Reno Host Lyon's Club; United Way of Northern Nevada.

Senator Townsend has been awarded many honors including: "Legislator of Year" Social Workers Association, 1987 and 1998; Truckee Meadows Human Service Association 1997 "Politician of the Year;" Nevada State Medical Association 1998 "Nicholas J. Horn Award;" National Alliance for the Mentally Ill 1999 "Distinguished Legislator;" and Nevada State Psychological Association 2000 "Nevada Legislative Advocacy Award." He received a M.Ed. in 1975 and a B.S. in 1972, both from the University of Nevada, Reno. He also attended the College du Leman, Versois, Switzerland, and San Francisco State University.