Rick Townsend is a first-time candidate for State House District 179. He is a small business owner and has a vast amount of experience in the education field. Rick is a small business owner (Rick Townsend & Associates) which works with schools, organizations, career academies, and technical colleges on workforce development, soft skills training for students, grants, professional development and coaching.
Rick’s career in education spanned three decades. In Glynn County, he served as CEO of the Golden Isles College & Career Academy for approximately 10 years. Rick has also served as a teacher, coach, principal, and superintendent. His career includes working with all levels pre-kindergarten through twelfth, rural to suburban, and economically disadvantaged to wealthier systems around the State of Georgia.
Rick is a graduate of Reinhardt College, the University of Georgia, and the State University of West Georgia. He completed his requirements for a Doctor of Education in School Improvement from the State University of West Georgia.
Rick is a past member of many professional organizations including the Georgia Association of Educational Leaders, Georgia School Superintendents Association, and Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development. He was selected for the Georgia Leadership Academy’s Institute for New Leaders and the Superintendents Professional Development Program, a two-year executive level program. He has also participated in the Georgia Leadership Institute for School Improvement, the Georgia School Superintendents Association Human Resources Institute and was inducted into the Phi Delta Kappa educational honor society. He also represented Glynn County as a participant in Leadership Southeast Georgia.
Rick has served, been a member, or volunteered for community organizations such as Kiwanis, Rotary, Lions Club, Boy Scouts, United Way, Morningstar, and the Brunswick Golden Isles Chamber of Commerce. In Kiwanis, organized Kiwanis Read Across GA Day. He currently serves as Chair of Club Growth for GA Kiwanis and is a member of the Kiwanis International Committee for Club Excellence, USA 2.
Rick’s wife Carolyn is a retired elementary and math teacher. Rick and Carolyn have three daughters Haley, Emily, and Molly.
