Randall Thomas Hinshaw was born in Huntington Park, California in 1960 to Douglas and Anna Jean (Rozell) Hinshaw. Doug and Jean, who was 2 months pregnant with Randy, moved to California from Hazel Green to find work after being laid off. Shortly after Randy’s birth, the family returned to Alabama and moved for a brief period to the ‘New Village’ in Huntsville. In 1961, Randy’s family moved back to the family farm in Northern Madison County. It was on the farm that Randy experienced the life of a traditional Alabama family, learning values of courage, responsibility and honesty from his parents and grandparents.

Randy showed an early ability to overcome adversity. In 1962, Randy contracted Whooping Cough and Pneumonia. He was taken to the emergency room and admitted to the hospital in Fayetteville (TN) where he was kept in an “oxygen tent” in grave condition. His parents were told to expect the worst. However, through ‘God’s Miracle’, Randy rapidly improved and was released. Randy’s father, without insurance to pay the hospital, borrowed money from Tom Bartlett (Randy’s namesake) to pay for Randy’s extensive medical care. At the age of eleven, Randy contracted Rheumatic Fever. The infection rapidly spread into his joints and Randy was paralyzed and bed-ridden for 6 months. School lessons were sent home until he was finally able to return to school. Randy’s mother and family insured Randy never got behind on his school work. These lessons of faith, family and responsibility have been the driving force in Randy’s life. Randy was baptized in Bethlehem Baptist Church in Hazel Green by Reverend Wayne Kimbrell.

Randy and his family later moved to Huntsville where he graduated from Lee High School in 1978. He received an A.S. degree from John C. Calhoun College and attended Athens State College.
Randy is married to the former Leslie Hindman of Huntsville and they reside in Meridianville. Together, they have 5 children: Jeremy, Whitney, Morgan, Alan-Michael and Anna. Jeremy, Whitney and Morgan  graduated from Hazel Green High School and Alan-Michael and Anna attend Meridianville Middle School
Randy's work experience spans three (3) decades in Huntsville/Madison County’s Aerospace and Defense Industries. His responsibilities have ranged from planning and purchasing to contract negotiation as well as supervising and directing employees in both Aerospace and commercial businesses. For the last seven (7) years, Randy has been employed by the Central Alabama Skill’s Training Consortium as a Program Director for Staff Development Training in Alabama’s award - winning Workforce Development Program.

Randy’s commitment to public service and civic responsibility has led to his work in various community activities including involvement in his children’s Parent Teacher Associations (PTAs), the Salvation Army, Optimist Club and the United Way. Randy was one of the founders of the Northeast Huntsville Civic Association and served as its first vice president. He coached little league baseball in the Huntsville Civic League. He serves and has served on the boards of various children’s, elderly and mental health organizations and, most recently, was named to the Board of Directors of the Huntsville Bible College.
Randy is in his second term in the Alabama House of Representatives. He has served on the Health, Military Affairs, Tourism, and Education Committees and served as the Chairman of the Joint Committee on Veterans Nursing Homes in the House. Randy is currently the Vice Chairman of the sub-committee on Campaign Finance. He is a member of the House Democratic Caucus and the Tennessee Valley Legislative Caucus. In 2005, House Speaker Seth Hammett appointed Randy to serve as Chairman of the House Constitution and Elections Committee as part of the leadership team. In 2006, Randy was named “Legislator of the Year” by the House Democratic Caucus.