Get to know the MPA Board
Andrew Stern
I was born and raised in Southeastern Wisconsin and have always had an interest in history and
architecture. My family can trace our roots in Milwaukee to the 1840s and I enjoy being able to walk the same streets and admire some of the same buildings my ancestors did. I completed by Bachelors in History from Portland State University in Portland, Oregon, before moving to Athens, Georgia, to complete a Masters in Historic Preservation and Masters of Urban Planning + Design from the University of Georgia. I moved back to Wisconsin in 2017 to work as a Historic Preservation Specialist for the Wisconsin State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) in Madison. I became aware of MPA’s advocacy work while working for SHPO. I became more involved with MPA after moving to Milwaukee in 2018 and became a Board member in 2021. I am excited to be on the Board with so many passionate and dedicated people and look forward to continuing the great work MPA does! |
1. What three words best define you?
Pragmatic, punny, inquisitive
2. What is your guiding principle?
If at first you don’t succeed, check YouTube for how to do it correctly.
3. What is your favorite book and movie?
I cannot name a single favorite book, though I really enjoy Jonathan Franzen novels and I have probably
read The Autobiography of Malcolm X more than any other book. My favorite movie is The Good, the
Bad, and the Ugly.
4. What’s one thing people would be surprised to know about you?
Prior to going to graduate school, I worked for a number of years as an announcer/newscaster for
Oregon Public Broadcasting. It was a great job with a great organization.
5. What is your favorite free time activity?
I love biking and walking around the city and spending time in our wonderful parks.
6. What is one of your favorite places in Milwaukee? Outside of Milwaukee?
My favorite places in Milwaukee are either the Milwaukee River Greenway or Three Bridges Park.
Favorite places outside of Milwaukee are either Rome, Italy, or Southern Germany.
7. If you could become a fictional character for one day, who would it be?
Johnny Utah from Point Break. Go surfing, rob banks, and hang with Patrick Swayze? Yeah, count me in.
8. What inspires you and why?
I am inspired to make the world around me better and to advocate for an equitable, safe, and
pedestrian-friendly built environment.
9. What do you see as the future of historic preservation?
I would love to see historic preservation continue to be inclusive and welcoming and work to identify
and celebrate cultural resources from traditionally under-represented communities. We can also
continue to develop context and appreciation of our Modern Movement resources.
10. Why should people support MPA?
For almost 20 years MPA has been advocating for the preservation of Milwaukee's cultural heritage. The
city is a stronger and more beautiful place because of the hard work of the previous and current board
members, our Executive Director, and countless volunteers. It is important to honor and preserve the
architecture, heritage, and contributions of Milwaukeeans from past to present.
Pragmatic, punny, inquisitive
2. What is your guiding principle?
If at first you don’t succeed, check YouTube for how to do it correctly.
3. What is your favorite book and movie?
I cannot name a single favorite book, though I really enjoy Jonathan Franzen novels and I have probably
read The Autobiography of Malcolm X more than any other book. My favorite movie is The Good, the
Bad, and the Ugly.
4. What’s one thing people would be surprised to know about you?
Prior to going to graduate school, I worked for a number of years as an announcer/newscaster for
Oregon Public Broadcasting. It was a great job with a great organization.
5. What is your favorite free time activity?
I love biking and walking around the city and spending time in our wonderful parks.
6. What is one of your favorite places in Milwaukee? Outside of Milwaukee?
My favorite places in Milwaukee are either the Milwaukee River Greenway or Three Bridges Park.
Favorite places outside of Milwaukee are either Rome, Italy, or Southern Germany.
7. If you could become a fictional character for one day, who would it be?
Johnny Utah from Point Break. Go surfing, rob banks, and hang with Patrick Swayze? Yeah, count me in.
8. What inspires you and why?
I am inspired to make the world around me better and to advocate for an equitable, safe, and
pedestrian-friendly built environment.
9. What do you see as the future of historic preservation?
I would love to see historic preservation continue to be inclusive and welcoming and work to identify
and celebrate cultural resources from traditionally under-represented communities. We can also
continue to develop context and appreciation of our Modern Movement resources.
10. Why should people support MPA?
For almost 20 years MPA has been advocating for the preservation of Milwaukee's cultural heritage. The
city is a stronger and more beautiful place because of the hard work of the previous and current board
members, our Executive Director, and countless volunteers. It is important to honor and preserve the
architecture, heritage, and contributions of Milwaukeeans from past to present.