John Townsend transferred to St. Thomas in his second year of university, graduating in 1974 with a double major in Anthropology and History. Continuing his education at the University of New Brunswick, Mr. Townsend received his L.L.B. in May 1977.

A partner with Allen Dixon Smith Townsend, his current practice emphasizes civil litigation, involving corporate and commercial transactions, professional negligence and personal injury, and development law. Mr. Townsend frequently lectures and teaches for the New Brunswick Law Society.

For more than a decade he has promoted Fredericton’s economic development in positions such as Director of Greater Fredericton Economic Development Corporation and President of Downtown Development Fredericton, Inc.

While at St. Thomas, Mr. Townsend played forward for the Tommies hockey squad. Since 1982 he has served as secretary for Friends of STU Hockey Inc. (a non-profit organization that supports the hockey programme). He has also coached youth hockey and is a nationally qualified Rules Official with the Royal Canadian Golf Association. He is presently the Tournament & Rules Chair for the New Brunswick Golf Association.

Mr. Townsend lives in Fredericton with his wife, Jo Anne, and his son, Jack.

Mr. Townsend was appointed to the Board of Governors in the spring of 1997 and is a member of the Finance Committee. His term ends in 2005.