Michael J. Townsend

Michael J. Townsend was elected vice chairman of the New York Power Authority by his fellow trustees on April 28, 2006.  He became a trustee on Feb. 21, 2004 when his nomination by Governor George E. Pataki was confirmed by the state Senate.  His term runs until May 2011.

Townsend, a resident of Fairport, joined the firm of Harris Beach LLP in Pittsford as partner in January 2004.  The primary focus of his practice is in the areas of public finance and commercial real estate.

Townsend is a director with the Tobacco Settlement financing Corp. and the New York State Mortgage Bond Bank Agency; counsel to the Monroe County Industrial Development Agency; counsel to the Greater Rochester Outdoor Sports Facility; in-house counsel to Regional Transit Authority; counsel to Empire Zone Monroe County, and deputy counsel to the Rochester Sports Authority.

He is a member of the New York State and Monroe County Bar Associations. In addition, he is on the board of directors of the Fairport Little League and the Friends of the Family Court.

Townsend is a graduate of the University of Maine and the Western New England School of Law, where he earned his JD degree with honors.

He is married to Maryanne, an attorney, and they have two children, Sarah and Sam.