Read the full stored bill text
MURIEL BOWSER
MAYOR
December 4, 2025
The Honorable Phil Mendelson
Chairman
Council of the District of Columbia
John A. Wilson Building
1350Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Suite 504
Washington, DC 20004
Dear Chairman Mendelson:
In accordance with section 2 of the Confirmation Act of 1978, effective March 3, 1979 (D.C. Law 2-
142; D.C. Official Code§ 1-523.01), and pursuant to section 5 of the District of Columbia Boxing and
Wrestling Commission Act of 1975, effective October 8, 1975 (D.C. Law 1-20; D.C. Official Code §
3-604), I am pleased to nominate the following individual:
Mr. Shawn Townsend
4th Street, SW
Washington, DC 20024
(Ward 6)
for reappointment as a member of the Combat Sports Commission, for a term to end January 5, 2029.
Enclosed, you will find biographical information detailing the experience of the above-mentioned
nominee, together with a proposed resolution to assist the Council during the confirmation process.
I would appreciate the Council's earliest consideration of this nomination for confirmation. Please
do not hesitate to contact me, or Steven Walker, Director, Mayor's Office of Talent and
Appointments, should the Council require additional information.
Ma or
1
2
3 at the request of the Mayor
4
5
6 A PROPOSED RESOLUTION
7
8
9
10 IN THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
11
12
13
14
15 To confirm the reappointment of Shawn Townsend to the Combat Sports Commission.
16
17 RESOLVED , BY THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, That this
18 resolution may be cited as the "Combat Sports Commission Shawn Townsend Confirmation
19 Resolution of 2025".
20 Sec. 2. The Council of the District of Columbia confirms the reappointment of:
21
22 Shawn Townsend
23 4th Street, SW
24 Washington, DC 20024
25 (Ward 6)
26
27 as a member of the Combat Sports Commission, established by section 5 of the District of
28 Columbia Boxing and Wrestling Commission Act of 1975, effective October 8, 1975 (D.C. Law
29 1-20; D .C . Official Code§ 3-604), for a term to end January 5, 2029.
30 Sec. 3. The Council of the District of Columbia shall transmit a copy of this resolution,
31 upon its adoption, to the nominee and to the Office of the Mayor.
32 Sec. 4. This resolution shall take effect immediately.
SHAWN J. TOWNSEND
EXECUTIVE PROFILE
Seasoned public affairs and government relations executive with 15+ years’ experience
leading advocacy, policy, and stakeholder engagement in highly regulated and politically
complex environments. Proven success navigating local, regional, and federal policymaking
while building trusted coalitions and advancing mission‑drive
n impact. Skilled in
communications, compliance, crisis response, and cross‑sector
partnerships. Recognized
leader in food, beverage, and hospitality policy.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington (RAMW), Washington, DC
President & CEO | Jan 2023 – Present
• L
ead all federal, state, and local government affairs for 1,500+ hospitality businesses
ac
ross DC, Maryland, and Virginia.
• Overs
aw the launch and execution of a new 3‑year Str
ategic Plan focused on advocacy,
m
ember growth, and community alignment.
• Incr
eased RAMW membership by 15% through expanded programming, restructured
dues, and enhanced member engagement.
•W
orked closely with DC Mayor, Council, and national partners to pass legislation
amending Initiative 82, saving DC restaurants tens of millions in projected labor costs.
•Di
rected all federal engagement in collaboration with the National Restaurant Association,
advocating for swipe fee reform, workforce and immigration policy, and regulatory relief
b
efore Congress, DHS, DOL, IRS, and FDA.
• O
versee Educated Eats, RAMW’s nonprofit arm, and the ProStart culinary training pipeline
i
n local schools.
• C
onvened community stakeholders across Main Streets, BIDs, and ANCs in all 8 DC wards
to align public safety, compliance, and public space policies.
•F
requently quoted in national and local media including NPR, Washington Post,
Washingtonian, Eater, Politico, NY Times, and NBC Washington.
Dewey Square Group, Washington, DC
Principal, State & Local Affairs & Multicultural Strategies | Jun 2021 – Jan 2023
• L
ed advocacy campaigns and public engagement for clients in food, beverage, retail, and
sports sectors.
• Dev
eloped policy strategy and built coalitions across local and federal levels to advance
ec
onomic opportunity and regulatory balance.
Executive Office of the Mayor, Washington, DC
Director, Mayor’s Office of Nightlife & Culture | Dec 2018 – Jun 2021
• A
ppointed by Mayor Muriel Bowser to launch and lead DC’s first Office of Nightlife &
Culture.
•A
cted as liaison between nightlife industry, residents, Council, and government agencies.
• Coo
rdinated cross‑agen
cy emergency response, business continuity plans, and funding
programs during COVID‑19.
• Led c
itywide campaigns on public safety, business regulations, and COVID guidelines in
alignment with DHS, ABRA, DOH, and SBA.
Alcoholic Beverage & Cannabis Administration (ABCA), Washington, DC
Supervisory Investigator | Feb 2014 – Dec 2018
• O
versaw regulatory compliance and enforcement of DC’s alcohol laws.
• L
ed community engagement and investigations, coordinated with ANC Commissioners
a
nd neighborhood associations.
EDUCATION
Bachelor of Arts, Journalism and Mass Communications | New Mexico State University
LEADERSHIP & SERVICE
• Board Member, Leadership Greater Washington (2025 – P resent)
• B
oard Member, Smithsonian Anacostia Community Museum (2022 – Present)
• C
hair, Uplift CDC, Ward Memorial AME Church (2022 – Present)
• C
ommissioner, DC Combat Sports Commission (2022 – Present)
• B
oard Member, DC Central Kitchen (2023 – Present)
KEY COMPETENCIES
• Federal, State & Local Government Affairs
• R
egulatory Strategy & Legislative Advocacy
• C
ommunity & Business Engagement
• C
risis Communications & Compliance
• Coali
tion Building & Public‑Priv
ate Partnerships
• Wor
kforce Development & Pipeline Programs
• S
trategic Planning, Budgeting & Board Governance
E
xecutive Office of the Mayor – Mayor’s Office of Talent and Appointments
John A. Wilson Building | 1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, Suite 600 | Washington, DC 20004
Sha
wn Townsend
Mr. Shawn Townsend is the President and CEO of the Restaurant
Association of Metropolitan Washington (RAMW), leading the premier
advocacy and business resource organization for the region’s restaurant
industry. With a deep commitment to supporting operators, chefs, and
hospitality professionals, Shawn works to advance policies and initiatives
that foster growth, sustainability, and innovation within the industry.
Before joining RAMW, Mr. Townsend served as the Director of the
Mayor’s Office of Nightlife and Culture for Washington, D.C., where he
played a pivotal role in bridging the gap between local businesses,
government agencies, and community stakeholders. His leadership during
the COVID-19 pandemic was instrumental in developing relief programs
and reopening strategies for the city’s hospitality sector.
As RAMW’s leader, Mr. Townsend is focused on ensuring the restaurant industry remains a
vibrant and essential part of the D.C. metropolitan area, advocating for policies that promote
workforce development, operational sustainability, and equitable business practices.
A Ward 6 resident, Mr. Townsend earned his Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and Mass
Communications from New Mexico State University.
GOVERNMENT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
Executive Office of Mayor Muriel Bowser
Office of the General Counsel to the Mayor
______________________________________________________________________________
The John A. Wilson Building • 1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW • Suite 300 • Washington, D.C. 20004 • Office (202) 724- 7681
To: Tomas Talamante, Steve Walker
From: Betsy Cavendish
Date: November 21, 2025
Subject: Legal sufficiency review of Resolution nominating Shawn Townsend as a
member of the Combat Sports Commission
This is to Certify that this office has reviewed the above -referenced resolution and
found it to be legally unobjectionable. If you have any questions in this regard, please do not
hesitate to call Erika Satterlee, Deputy General Counsel, Executive Office of the Mayor, at 202-
724-1303, or me at 202-724-7681.
______________________________
Elizabeth A. (Betsy) Cavendish