BRIAN Townsend
Favorite Part of Job: Serving as Information Technology Director at the Vermont Agency of Education has afforded me the opportunity to continually grow and challenge myself every single day. One day I might be collaborating with peers across state government to improve the quality and efficiency of the public services we provide, the next I may be working to implement a system that will streamline the education community’s ability to meet statutory reporting requirements while leveraging the very same information to allow stakeholders to evaluate the efficacy of education programs. I love that my job allows me to see the big 
picture of interrelated “business” needs and to then use that foundation to design and deliver technical solutions that improve Vermont’s ability to serve our constituents.
Most Inspiring Mentor: Having the good fortune to be surrounded by many inspiring people throughout my life and career, it would be easy to point to experiences with any of these individuals as having helped form who I am today. I would, however, be hard-pressed to identify a single mentor 
who has inspired me more than my father, Larry Townsend. My father’s example of civic and familial responsibility – layering hard work, integrity, and uncanny comedic timing atop the foundation of his deep-rooted Vermont values – has set the bar for many of my own aspirations.
Tell us something fun about yourself that few people know: I am proud to have been a member of three different Vermont State Championship teams. Two championships were playing baseball (for South Royalton’s American Legion team in 1995 & Central Vermont Babe Ruth in 1992) and the other was a team state spelling championship for Randolph Village School in 1988.
Favorite downtime activity: I have always enjoyed engaging in most any type of athletic activity, though, as we work to renovate a beautiful Victorian house and my wife and I welcome our second child on November 4th, I find that most of my favorite ‘downtime’ activities involve cherished moments with my growing family and the life that we are building together.
Favorite Social Media: At this point in time, I most appreciate using Facebook to stay in touch with family and friends spread across the globe and LinkedIn to further my ability to network professionally.
Person you would like to share a Vermont beverage with: Given that one of our hobbies is to brew and bottle our own blackberry mead, I always look forward to enjoying the resulting product with my close friends and family.
What is the best career advice you have received? “Every day is a job interview” is a piece of advice that has stuck with me throughout my career. We never know how connections and impressions we make today might help us in the future and this advice underscores how important it is to always show up prepared to work hard and put your best foot forward every day.
Community Involvement:
Quarry Ridge Condo Association Board of Directors
With four separate coed softball leagues in Chittenden County, helped run teams and assisted with the scheduling of playoff tournaments.
While living in Northern Vermont, trained for and ran marathons as an American Cancer Society Charity Runner
Member of the Playhouse Theatre Co-op, a sustaining member of Vermont Public Radio, and have recently Volunteering with Randolph Youth Baseball and with Gifford Medical Center.
