ABOUT ME
Hi, I'm Andrew
Community Leader - Small Business Founder - Non-Profit Worker
My Story
I am deeply passionate about North Adams and the Northern Berkshires. I want to use my second term on the North Adams City Council to continue to make a positive impact by developing responsible and inclusive policies, bringing people together, and helping to build a vibrant city.
I was born and raised in Massachusetts. I studied International Relations, Business, and Political Science in Virginia, Europe, and Asia throughout my undergraduate and graduate degrees. My career has varied from directing an acting school to managing local and national marketing partnerships to producing inclusion programs at major Tech companies and nonprofits to starting my own business in North Adams. This diverse career has taken me across industries and the world, with the common thread being a focus on community development and advocacy.
After time spent living and learning in other cities and towns, I was eager to move back home to Massachusetts, where I could dive into the beautiful City of North Adams, and leverage my experience, passion, and vision to fix up old buildings, create businesses and nonprofits, develop spaces for residents to gather, foster a bustling downtown small business district, contribute to the workings of government, and make a positive impact on my community.
NORTH ADAMS CITY COUNCIL
Elected in 2023, I have served on the North Adams City Council for the last two years. I have helped steer our city towards progress through presentations, resolutions, and legislation involving housing, economic development, addiction recovery, education, infrastructure and transportation development, tourism growth, and sustainability. I serve as the Chair of our Community Development Committee and as a member of our Finance Committee.
NORTH ADAMS CHAMBER OF COMMERCE BOARD MEMBER
Supported the Northern Berkshires business community with social gatherings, technical assistance programming, grant distribution, and small business advocacy.
NORTH ADAMS PRIDE CO-FOUNDER
Joined the North Adams Pride Night planning committee, to produce the second, third, and fourth annual North Adams Pride Night events, fundraise through the first and second annual Northern Lights Balls and several partnerships and sponsorships, help build the Pride float in the 2021 and 2022 Fall Foliage Parades, and create additional events and opportunities to help support the LGBTQIA+ community in the Northern Berkshires.
EAGLE & MAIN
I am proud to be in the process of redeveloping the buildings at the corner of Eagle and Main Streets in downtown North Adams. While a large portion of the buildings have been renovated, beautified, and utilized, I am now working to develop the remaining portions. Until the new design, engineering, and construction is complete, I leverage the storefronts to curate community art and expressions to be displayed in the windows.
Community Work
STEEPLE CITY SOCIAL
Founded Steeple City Social, a bakery, bar, and community space at the corner of Eagle and Main Streets in downtown North Adams with my friend and business partner. With the support of many of you, we built a special place and added a literal glow to this important corner of our downtown. With community development and downtown rehabilitation in mind, we are proud to have brought additional foot traffic, tasty food and drinks, and a welcoming gathering space to our downtown.
NORTH ADAMS CULTURAL DISTRICT MEMBER
Organized local artists, volunteers, and the Mayor of North Adams to curate and publish a body of art works in vacant windows, on electrical boxes, and over crosswalks around downtown North Adams.
NORTH ADAMS FIRST FRIDAYS ORGANIZER
Coordinated with City leadership, Chamber of Commerce representatives, and local business owners to celebrate arts, culture and commerce in North Adams, and create a vibrant downtown North Adams which residents, small businesses, and visitors can be proud of and want to engage with.
HOME
I purchased a beautiful old home in North Adams, and have been renovating the house for some time. I love fixing up and decorating the house with vintage furniture for affordable prices at local shops such as Sanford & Kid and the Antiques Emporium.