Larry G. Townsend

Mr. Townsend's professional experience includes serving as an insurance executive, real estate developer, gubernatorial campaign manager, political fundraiser, restaurateur, community leader and inventor.
Mr. Townsend is currently Chairman and CEO of Riverboat Development, Inc. (RDI), where he is a co-owner with Caesar's Indiana Riverboat Casino, the world's largest riverboat casino complex.
Mr. Townsend previously served as Secretary of Commerce under Kentucky Governors Julian M.
Carroll and John Y.
Brown, Jr. While in office, he was instrumental in the opening of economic development offices in Japan and Europe that significantly expanded Kentucky's international trade opportunities.
In addition to his business and political experience, Mr. Townsend is extremely dedicated to philanthropic ventures.
He is the Founder of the Muhammad Ali Center, an $80 million dollar project, where he currently serves as Vice Chairperson of the Board of Directors.
His other charitable contributions include memberships in the Louisville Red Cross, Kentucky Society for Crippled Children, Kentucky Opera Association, and the Louisville Science Center.
In addition, Mr. Townsend served as a member of the Kentucky Housing Corporation and the Metropolitan Zoning Commission, was the Commissioner of Parks and Recreation, and served on the Board of Directors of the Kentucky Industrial Development Finance Authority.