Andrea Marr has had a fascinating career trajectory. She’s a nuclear engineer, she’s served in the U.S. Navy in the Persian Gulf, volunteered on a solar panel project in Nicaragua and now leads the city of Costa Mesa, California, as the mayor pro tem. She’s also a Strong Towns member.
What’s the connection between these different roles and experiences? For Marr, it’s about wanting to serve something beyond herself.
In her current position as city councilor and mayor pro tem, she’s dedicated herself over the last few years to helping shift the culture around biking and walking in her region. For a car-dominated place like southern California, it’s not easy, but Marr is a big believer in the power of incremental progress. She’s also been working on economic development efforts and helping the city improve after some dysfunctional leadership.
Andrea Marr is yet another badass Strong Towns advocate in local government and an engineer pushing for change. We’re excited for you to hear her story on this week’s episode of The Bottom-Up Revolution podcast, hosted by Rachel Quednau.
Additional Show NotesGrab your ticket to the 2022 Local-Motive Tour today!
Check out some of our new columns: Neighborhood Stories (by Karla Theilen), Community Building (by John Pattison), and the High Value fiction serial (by Hamilton Ludwig).
Listen to recent Bottom-Up Revolution episodes featuring Strong Towns advocates in local government, including Ashley Salvador, Mason Thompson, and Rob Green.
Join the discussion about this episode in the Strong Towns Facebook Community group.
Send your story ideas to rachel@strongtowns.org.
Subscribe to The Bottom-Up Revolution on iTunes, Google Podcasts, Podbean, or via RSS.
Support this podcast by becoming a Strong Towns member today.
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Christian Gray: Alleviating Neighborhood Poverty at a Root Level
Sara Joy Proppe: Helping Churches Use Placemaking To Connect With the Community
Armando Moritz-Chapelliquen: A Grassroots Community Advocate
Maddy Novich: Not Your Typical Bike Activist!
Deatra Kemp: Helping First-Time Homebuyers Realize Their Dreams
Adam Greenfield and Miriam Schoenfield: Fighting Freeway Widening in Austin
Jessica Peacock: Fighting for a Family-Owned Grocery Store
Jon Jon Wesolowski: Chattanooga Urbanist Society
Jennifer Gaughran: Running the Strong Towns Toastmasters Group
Dustin LaFont: The Largest Community Bike Shop in Louisiana
Alisha Loch: Keeping Norwood, OH, Vibrant for Future Generations
Scott Jones: Building Neighborhood Connections With Acts of Hospitality
Aimee and Cody Frederick: Café Owners and Conversation Leaders
Shelby Wild: Breaking Down Barriers to Local Food
Marques King: Doing Incremental Development in Detroit
Gary Oddi: A Lifelong Educator Advocating for Active Transportation
Barry Greene: A Dad Advocating for Density and Localism
Noah Tang: Working Alongside Local Government
LeVette Fuller: Actively Making a Strong Town
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