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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Amanda Workman Scott and Jenny Totten: Supporting and Developing Rural Leaders
Alex Rodriguez and Danny Lapin: Reactivating a Historic Space for the Whole Community
Abby Kinney and Dennis Strait: People-Centered Urban Planning
Kelly Rae Kirkpatrick: A Strong Towns Advocate on her City Council
Alfred Melbourne: Growing Food, Growing Resilience
Dan Sally: Moving Past the Two-Party System
Jen Wolosin: Stepping Up to Run for Public Office
Jacob Titus: Using Art and Stories to Strengthen Your City
Latoya Wilson: Helping Young People Prepare for the Future
Cary Westerbeck: Uniting Advocates to Build Strong Towns
Sheleita Miller: Bridging Divides Between Neighbors and Government
Sara Joy Proppe: Empowering Churches to Connect with Their Neighborhoods
Sam Nabi: Working Together to Make a Street for People
Krista Fancher: Teaching Young People to Think Resiliently
Chris Harris-Wimsatt: Creating a Community Gathering Space
Chelsea Lawson: Doing the Math
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