A Florida native and St. Lucie County resident for more than 35 years, Townsend has been a small business owner in the community. Townsend has owned and operated an assisted living facility for 11 years, a bed and breakfast for 10 years, as well owning several restaurants. Her background in real estate, in the '90s helped prepare her for success in small business. 

While Townsend served on the St. Lucie County Planning and Zoning Commission prior to her election, she was Chair the last two years prior to being elected as a County Commissioner in 2016. Many in the community recognize her name because of her experience as a volunteer and passion for helping promote and build a better community. An avid dancer, not only did Townsend teach country line dancing at a variety of adult communities, churches, organizations and educational outlets in St. Lucie County, she also created and produced the successful Dancing With the PALs Annual Celebrity Dance contest to benefit the Fort Pierce Police Athletic League.

A former student of Indian River Community College. Townsend is also a longtime member of the League of Women Voters of St. Lucie County. She served as the organization’s president for 12 years. She has served with the Deaf Service Center of St. Lucie County, Life Builders, the Moose Lodge, the Exchange Club of Fort Pierce, Elks Club and the Fort Pierce Police Athletic League.

Over the years, Townsend has served as the Chairperson for the Fort Pierce Exchange Club Chili Cook-off (2012 & 2013), while she co-chaired the event in 2017. In 2016, Townsend participated in the Team Tommy Foundation Lip Sync Battle, returning in 2017 to serve as a judge for the event. She has been involved and supported the Hands Clinic since 2015. Townsend has also lent her culinary skills to good causes, serving as a Celebrity Chef at Graceway Village, Matthew’s Café, Celebrity Chef for Team Miranda and Donate for life. She is a previous member of the Pilot Club. She is a current board member for Life Builders, volunteered with multiple events to benefit the needs of our community like Restoring the Village, Boys and Girls Club, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Family Meals, Chamber of Commerce, Navy UDT-SEAL Museum, Mustard Seed Ministries and Supervisor of Elections during elections with the League of Woman Voters until elected then becoming a member of the canvassing board in 2018. Townsend hosted an event to benefit the Voici Bernadette underwater reef project.

Commissioner Townsend was successful in 2018 to pass a local bill to benefit small businesses in the restaurant industry. By lowering the footage of the business to allow for a full alcohol license instead of just beer and wine, which created a large increase in revenue to sustainability of a business. She created the culvert assistance program as well as the ordinance to allow for backyard chickens in unincorporated areas of the county. She is a founding board member of Independence Classical Academy Charter School. 

She has been a passionate commissioner for our transit system and a champion for small businesses.

"I've been honored to serve two terms on the St. Lucie County Commission, including the privilege of serving as Chair of the Board three times. Most recently, I was re-elected after a difficult and toxic campaign, yet the voters overwhelmingly place their trust in me once again, and I'm deeply grateful for their continued support. I've always believed in term limits and staying true to that belief, I will not be seeking re-election for this seat. It remains one of the greatest honors of my life to serve this community," said Townsend. 

Boards and Committee
She currently serves on:

• Tourist Development Council, Chair
• Canvassing Board
• County Coalition for Responsible Management of Lake Okeechobee and St. Lucie & Caloosahatchee Estuaries
• Homelessness Advisory Committee
• Law Library Board of Trustees
• Medical Examiners Advisory Task Force
• Transportation Planning Organization (alternate)
• Property & Homeowners Associations
• Public Safety Coordinating Council

Past Boards and Committees

• Affordable Housing Committee
• Board of County Commissioners, Chair
• Chamber of Commerce
• Friends of the Library
• Public Safety Coordinator Council
• Property & Homeowners Associations, Chair
• Sustainability District, Vice-Chair
• Transportation Planning Organization
• Transportation Disadvantaged Local Coordinating Board
• Treasure Coast Workforce Consortium
• Treasure Coast Regional Planning Council
• Treasure Coast Education Research Development Authority
• Value Adjustment Board (alternate)
• Workforce Development Board of Treasure Coast

She has been the keynote speaker for 211, has received her Certified County Commissioner certifications and was one of the 12 females chosen in the 2019 Trailblazer award.

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