About

David sitting.When David was born, his father was on active duty in the U.S. Army, and David was baptized in the chapel at Fort Meade, Maryland. The family soon moved to Virginia, where David grew up with his younger brother Brendan.

He learned the value of public service from his mother, who is a retired public school teacher, and his father, an attorney long active in the community.

Service and Citizenship

David Sr., David and brother Brendan (and fish.)

David Sr., David and brother Brendan (and fish.)

An Eagle Scout, David learned to love the outdoors through fishing, backpacking and bicycling. His first volunteerism was teaching at-risk youth bicycle mechanics and supporting food drives with his high school rock band.

As a student, David participated in a summer exchange in Germany shortly before the fall of the Berlin Wall. Seeing the stark contrasts between life in West Germany and life under communism in East Germany strengthened David’s appreciation for the American political system.

“Growing up near the nation’s capital was an amazing experience. While working on citizenship merit badges or school projects, we could go right to the source for our education- the Capitol, the White House, executive branch buildings. I learned never to take for granted what it means to be an American and our responsibility as citizens.”

Fishing on the Truckee River.

Fishing on the Truckee River.

While an undergraduate at George Mason University, David chose a different path from that of his fellow students working on Capitol Hill. David moved west and worked the summer before his senior year for the Montana Wildlife Federation, where he learned the responsibility hunters and anglers have as some of the best conservationists of our natural resources.

Moving to Idaho after graduation, David earned his Master of Public Administration, with an emphasis in public lands and natural resources policy, from Boise State University. David’s first exposure to state government was gained while working for the Idaho State Controller.

Education for tomorrow

Moving to Reno in 1997, David began working at the University of Nevada, Reno as a program assistant and management analyst in the Planning, Budget and Analysis office where he gained a knowledge of state education policy and budgets. David was appointed Campus Webmaster in 2000, where he worked with emerging Internet and education technologies until 2007.

“There’s a mythology surrounding technology we have to break through if we’re to prepare our kids for tomorrow. It’s not just a matter of spending money for classroom computers. We’ve got to provide support for the technology, incentives for teachers to grow their careers and incorporate technology with the traditional curriculum, and ensure we provide our kids information literacy guidance so they can face the connected world from a position of strength.”

In 2003, David received a Faculty International Development Award to study abroad in Santiago, Chile.

“Living with a family in Santiago and meeting Chilean education and technology professionals opened my eyes to the coming realities we face in the global marketplace. If we’re going to position Reno as a place where our children can live and work in the 21st century, we’ve got to improve education and protect our quality of life to attract and retain business and industry.”

As former chairman and member of the Washoe County School District’s Information Technology Advisory Group, and a former member of the districts’ Council on Career and Technical Education, David recognizes the challenges Nevada businesses face recruiting skilled employees. He’s worked with businesses to strengthen career and technical education in order to prepare students for the jobs of today and tomorrow.

As an assemblyman, David serves on the Assembly Education Committee and the Nevada Council to Establish Academic Standards.

Protecting our quality of life

David served on Reno’s Recreation and Parks Commission until he was elected to the Assembly.

David served on Reno’s Recreation and Parks Commission until he was elected to the Assembly.

An active Reno citizen, David is past member and chairman of the Reno Recreation & Parks Commission. While a member, David served on and/or chaired subcommittees for Virginia Lake improvements, revision of the City’s park ordinances, and rewriting of the commission’s bylaws. He also chaired the Wildlife Planning Subcommittee and was the commission’s representative to the city’s Open Space and Greenway Plan Working Group.

“We’ve come so far with recreational amenities in Reno since I began my service with the Commission. Between the Whitewater Park and other recreational opportunities, we’re building our community as a place to raise families- something that also benefits our economy by attracting companies. But we’ve got more to do to take care of our ‘natural infrastructure’ – we owe it to our kids.”

David volunteers on as a board member of the Access to Healthcare Network and as a Think Tank member for Big Brothers, Big Sisters Northern Nevada. He also volunteers on the Advisory Board of the Nevada Land Conservancy, and has been active with the Truckee Meadows Tomorrow Quality of Life Task Force.

Assemblyman Bobzien has lead the way on a variety of conservation issues, including expanding incentives for renewable energy through (AB 178), establishing a seat on the State Environmental Commission for a conservation advocate (AB 217), combating illegal dumps (AB 353), allowing water rights leasing for conservation (AB 296), requiring the use of best science in reviewing water transfers (AB 377), ensuring energy developers share in the cost of managing our state’s wildlife (AB 307), and many other pieces of legislation. David has also been a key voice on the regulation of mercury, protecting the public’s interest in Nevada’s water policy, and speaking out for science-based wildlife management and the rights of sportsmen.

Caring for our parents, and our families

David and Lisa with sons Luca and Finnegan.

David and Lisa with sons Luca and Finnegan.

In 2005, David was appointed by former Republican Governor Guinn to serve on the Nevada Commission on Aging where he worked hard to ensure Nevada’s ready to meet the challenges of an aging population, the fastest growing in the nation.

“Lisa and I know that making sure our parents enjoy a good quality of life in their coming years is important for a healthy family.”

One of these challenges is the affordability of quality health care—an issue facing not only seniors, but all Nevadans. “We must work to cope with rising health care costs through innovative approaches.”

Assemblyman Bobzien introduced and passed a bill (AB 235) allowing for the inclusion of “plain English” labels on prescription drug bottles, recognized by AARP Nevada as a “top priority.”

David was also the driving force behind the creation of Nevada’s Living Will Lockbox: www.LivingWillLockbox.com.

Legislative service

Seeking support for legislation.

Seeking support for legislation.

David was elected to represent Assembly District 24 in 2006 and has been the Democratic nominee in the last three elections. Assemblyman Bobzien has served on the Government Affairs (Vice Chairman, 2009 session), Natural Resources, Agriculture and Mining, Education, and Transportation committees. For the 2011 session, David was the Chairman of the Assembly Education Committee, a member of the Ways and Means Committee, and served in leadership as a Chief Deputy Whip. During the 2011-12 interim, David is chairman of the Legislative Committee on Education, a member of the Interim Finance Committee, and chairman of the Interim Finance Committee’s Subcommittee to Review Public Works Board Matters.

David’s quality representation has been recognized through a variety of awards:

During interim periods between sessions, David has served on the Council to Establish Academic Standards, the Legislative Committee to Oversee the Western Regional Water Commission (Chairman, 2009-10 interim), and the Legislative Committee on Public Lands. David is an alternate to the Interim Finance Committee and the Legislative Commission. David is a member of the Council of State Governments West, Western Leadership Academy, Class of 2007.

Personal

Backcountry snowboarding, eastern Nevada's Schell Creek mountains.

Backcountry snowboarding, eastern Nevada's Schell Creek mountains.

After starting and owning small web marketing business, David now works for a non-profit conservation organization as a program and digital communications director. He and his wife Lisa live in northwest Reno with their sons Luca Carson and Finnegan Walker, and their dog Maggie.

David enjoys just about anything involving time spent outdoors, including running, snowboarding, backpacking, photography, hunting and fly fishing.

Learn more about David’s issues.