In nearly two decades in the public and private sectors, JIM TOWNSEND has championed public policies.

In nearly two decades in the public and private sectors, Jim Townsend has championed public policies and innovative business strategies designed to revitalize and reinvent urban areas and regional economies. Since 2004 Jim has served as Executive Director of the Tourism Economic Development Council (TEDC), an arm of the Detroit Metro Convention & Visitors Bureau that guides implementation of the region's Tourism Vision - a 10-year strategy for increasing metro Detroit's tourism economy by $3 billion per year. Prior to leading the TEDC, Jim founded and directed the Michigan Suburbs Alliance, a consortium of 32 inner ring suburbs in metro Detroit with a combined population of 1 million. Jim now serves on the MSA's Board of Directors.

Jim's political and public policy work includes serving on presidential and congressional campaigns and working as a professional staff member in the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives. In the private sector Jim worked for Ford Motor Company, in marketing, product development and finance positions; as Windstar Brand Manager from 1999 to 2001 Jim led national marketing and sales for Ford Division's $4 billion minivan business, which achieved record sales in 2000. Jim holds a B.A. with Highest Honors in History from the University of North Carolina and an MBA and a Masters of Public Policy from the University of Michigan. Jim lives with his wife and two sons in Royal Oak, Michigan.

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