A lifelong resident of Allegheny County, Randy retired after a 27-year career in law enforcement (where he was known as Officer V and spent five years as a D.A.R.E. instructor), then was elected to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives in 2006. During his three terms, he served on the Aging and Older Adult Services, Finance, Environmental Resources and Energy, Gaming Oversight, Veterans Affairs, and Emergency Preparedness committees. Randy won a special election to the Pennsylvania Senate in August 2012. As a state senator, he served as Chairman of the Veterans Affairs & Emergency Preparedness Committee, the Aging & Youth Committee, and the Communications and Technology Committee. In addition, he was a member of the Appropriations (including the Subcommittee on Public Safety), Community Economic and Recreational Development, Judiciary, Senate Majority Policy, and Transportation committees.

Randy serves as a board member of the Allegheny County Airport Authority and the 3 Rivers Wet Weather Board of Directors. Other boards and authorities on which he served include the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency, the Advisory Board of the Southwestern Pennsylvania Veterans Center, the Port of Pittsburgh Commission, the Carnegie Library Board of Trustees, the Pittsburgh Ballet Theater Board of Trustees, and the University of Pittsburgh's Institute of Politics Board of Fellows (where he served as co-chair of the Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Committee).

Randy's earned numerous awards during his career, including the Pittsburgh Coalition Against Rape's Ambassador for Social Change Award, for his legislative work to prevent sexual violence and protect victims; the ACHIEVA Excellence in Legislation Award, for his efforts to promote legislation supporting children and adults with intellectual disabilities and their families; the ACTION-Housing Inc. Legislator of the Year award, for his efforts to defeat Pay-Day Lending legislation; the Pennsylvania Fire & Emergency Services Institute (PFESI) Legislator of the Year Award in 2018, for his unwavering commitment to first responders; and the Pennsylvania Meritorious Service Medal by the Adjutant General of the Pennsylvania National Guard, on behalf of Governor Wolf, for his commitment to servicemen and -women and all veterans.

Randy lives in Shaler Township with his wife, Bobbie. They have been married for 48 years and have two children, Stacy and Randy Jr. He is the proud grandfather to Tyler, Emmy, and Drew.