About David
David speaking to a community group.
David was born in 1972 to David Sr. and Cathy Bobzien. His father was on active duty at the time 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 still works as a public school teacher, and his father, an attorney long active in community issues.
Service and Citizenship
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 high school student, David participated in a summer exchange in Germany just a few years 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.
While an undergraduate at George Mason University, David chose a different path from that of his fellow students working on Capitol Hill. David decided to move west and worked the summer before his senior year for the Montana Wildlife Federation, where he learned the responsibility hunters and anglers have as the first and best conservators 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 politics 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 in the Planning, Budget and Analysis office. David was later promoted to Management Analyst in the classified system 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 in a variety of sectors. He’s committed to partnering with business to strengthen career and technical education in order to prepare students for the jobs of today and tomorrow.
As an assemblyman, David served on the Assembly Education Committee during the 2007 session and currently serves on 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.
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 the new parks throughout northwest Reno, we’re building our city as a place to raise families- something that also benefits our economy by attracting companies to our community. But we’ve got so much more to do to take care of our ‘natural infrastructure.’ We need to fix aging parks- we owe it to our kids.
David volunteers on as a board member of the Access to Healthcare Networkand 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, with the Truckee River Foundation, and was the founding Chairman of the Hillside Cemetery Foundation. He is also active with the Truckee Meadows Tomorrow Quality of Life Task Force.
During the 2007 session, Assemblyman Bobzien 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), laying the groundwork for a City of Reno license plate to benefit parks (AB 297), and updating Nevada's water policy to allow water right leasing for conservation (AB 296). David was also 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.
In 2005, David was appointed by former 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.”
In the 2007 legislative session, 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 during the 2007 session.
David was elected to represent Assembly District 24 in 2006 with 55% of the vote. During the 74th session (2007) of the Nevada Legislature, Assemblyman Bobzien served on the Government Affairs, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Mining, Education, and Transportation committees.
David's quality representation was recognized through a variety of awards:
- 2009 Assemblyman of the Year, Nevada Conservation League
- Highest-rated freshman legislator of the 2007 session (Las Vegas Review-Journal)
- 2007 Freshman of the Year, Peace Officers Research Association of Nevada
- Winner, Southwest Energy Efficiency Project's Leadership in Energy Efficiency Award
- Distinguished Deed (pdf), Nevada Conservation League
- Winner, Nevada EcoNet's Golden Pinecone Award for environmental excellence as a public servant
During 2007-2008 interim period between sessions, David serves on the Council to Establish Academic Standards, the Legislative Committee to Oversee the Western Regional Water Commission, and is an alternate to the Legislative Committee on Public Lands. 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.
David works as a web designer for a Sparks-based company. 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 and fly fishing.
Learn more about David’s issues.