Recently elected Georgia State Representative Rick Townsend has been named Executive Director of STAR of Coastal Georgia, the Glynn County based non-profit organization that specializes in teaching job-readiness, computer literacy, and life-skills for adults of all ages. Townsend succeeds Dr. Markisha Butler, who accepted a position with the United States Dept. of Labor. A St. Simons Island resident, Townsend’s career in education has spanned three decades and has included 10 years as CEO of the Golden Isles College & Career Academy. He has worked as a teacher, coach, principal, and superintendent, on behalf of all ages, pre-kindergarten through 12th-grade, in both rural and urban settings. He also owns a business focused on assisting schools, organizations, career academies and technical colleges on workforce development. He currently serves on the Education, Natural Resources, and Special Rules Committee in the GA State House. starofcoastalga.org
