Andrea Arnold is the assistant city manager for Decatur, Georgia.

How did you get your start in local government?

I grew up of the daughter of a city manager and was exposed to local government from a very young age. While some people might have run away from local government, seeing a parent in that field, I was just really drawn to it. I was drawn to the work that my father did because I could see how much he enjoyed it and the passion he had for it. That really transferred to me. As soon as I could start learning about local government and getting opportunities to work with local government, I did.

My degree is in political science and urban studies. After I graduated, I had an internship with the city of Greenville, South Carolina. From there, I had a multitude of other internships at local, state, and federal level. After those experiences I knew I wanted to work in local government. My first job out of graduate school was working for the Atlanta Regional Commission, a council of governments. I worked there for a couple of years and it gave me the opportunity to see cities in the metro Atlanta area. That was how I discovered Decatur, and set my sights on working there. An employment opportunity came up with them, and 18 years later, here I am. And I've been working for the same manager for all of these years.

What thoughts do you have for the next generation of managers coming up in the field?

When you are searching for a job, make sure that you find a community that's the right fit for you. Also, look at the people that you would be working with. Put the community and the quality of people above trying to find the right job title. Look for a place where you're going to be able to get some meaningful experiences. Don’t let the title drive your professional decision.

What advice would you have for women in particular?

I think my advice to women is really similar to my advice for the next generation. Look for the place that can afford you the opportunity to grow and to learn. Again, focus on finding an environment where you can really flourish, rather than on having the job title of city manager or assistant city manager. For women especially, they need to network. They don't necessarily need to have a network of other women, but a network of peers and mentors that can provide them with the support they need throughout their careers.

What do you think are the ideal qualities of a local government manager?

As a manager, you really have to care about your community, the people that work with you, and those around you. There's a sense of empathy that you need to have, in addition to the strong leadership, management, and decision-making skills you learn in your MPA courses.

What’s the importance of your professional network to you in facing challenges?

To be somewhere for almost 19 years, there are going to be ups, and there are going to be downs. The networks that I have developed through ICMA allow me to reach outside of my organization, particularly when things get a little rocky, or frustrating. It's been those contacts and friends across the country that I’ve met through my experience with ICMA; people who have provided support, counsel, and encouragement over the years. That's something I've tried to provide for my friends and counterparts across the country over the years.

What challenges have you faced in the workplace? Have any of them been related to gender? And has working for a female city manager impacted that?

I’ve been with the city for almost 19 years and over those years, of course, there have been challenges.  Some that come to mind are difficult personnel issues, contentious public discourse, disagreements with elected officials, and disappointing project outcomes. While the positives over the years far outweigh the challenges, there is some value in thinking about specific tough issues and determining what contributed to them or exacerbated them. I can say with certainty that there is no challenge that I have faced in this organization that has anything to do with my gender. I know that inexperience and lack of knowledge contributed to some of my greatest challenges. As I’ve gained experience in all facets of city management and sought more knowledge, more and more challenges are addressed with ease and confidence.  I can’t say that working for a female city manager has anything to do with that. But working for an experienced, knowledgeable, mentoring, and supportive city manager has everything to do with that. Peggy Merriss provides constructive feedback, consistent guidance, and clear advice that can be used time and again as problems arise. I really don’t know if this is unique but it’s what I’ve known in a community where female leadership in many community institutions is commonplace.

Do you have any thoughts about increasing diversity at the senior levels of local government?

That’s our responsibility as local government managers to make sure that the schools are attracting a diverse student body. Without diverse student bodies, we're not going to have diversity coming into the profession, so it really starts at much younger ages. We need to go back to the pool of managers and that's going to be at the high school, college, and graduate school level.

How did you get your start with ICMA?

When I was in graduate school, I became a student member of ICMA and was invited to speak at an ICMA conference with other children of city managers. That was my first time as a speaker at an ICMA event, talking about my experience growing up as a child of a city manager. I’ve been involved with ICMA ever since.

What have been some highlights for you in your own career?

Two of the greatest highlights of my career over the last 10 years are being a member of Leadership ICMA and serving on the ICMA Executive Board. I was a member of the first class of Leadership ICMA and that had a tremendous impact on me personally and professionally. I was able to bring back so much from that experience and apply it within our community. And I developed friendships and a network that I’m going to have forever. I also served on the ICMA Executive Board a few years back, and that gave me insight into the inner workings of ICMA. I gained a much better understanding of the long-term goals and strategy of my membership organization.