As a local small business owner, Rep. Townsend is committed to standing up for working people and small businesses to help them create jobs and turn our economy around. Rep. Townsend will work to create a climate of innovation where entrepreneurs can thrive, take root in our community and invest in Michigan.

Rep. Townsend founded his own consulting business in 2002 that specializes in helping companies and other organizations grow and create jobs. He will work to transform Michigan into a leader in emerging industries like alternative energy while also protecting key resources like our Great Lakes, which are crucial to tens of thousands of jobs in industries from tourism and fishing to agriculture.

Prior to joining the Michigan House of Representatives, Rep. Townsend served as the executive director of the Tourism Economic Development Council where he guided a 10-year strategy for increasing Southeast Michigan’s tourism economy by $3 billion per year. He also founded and directed the Michigan Suburbs Alliance, a nonprofit organization devoted to revitalizing and reinventing communities including Royal Oak and Madison Heights.

Rep. Townsend also led national marketing and sales for Ford Motor Company’s $4 billion minivan business, which achieved record sales in 2000.

A longtime Michigan resident, he holds an MBA and a master’s degree in public policy from the University of Michigan and a bachelor’s degree from the University of North Carolina.

Rep. Townsend and his wife, Jennie, live with their two sons in Royal Oak, where he has been active in a wide range of civil and philanthropic causes, including participating in the Race for the Cure and coaching youth soccer.