Who is Andy Podshadley
MORE THAN JUST A SMALL BUSINESS OWNER
I am a Novato native. Like a lot of my peers I've thought about moving away --but I love my home town. I was educated at local Novato elementary and middle schools and graduated from Novato High School. I was active in Scouting, achieving the rank of Eagle Scout and have remained active as an adult, acting as Cub Master and Scout Master. As a scout, I was introduced to community leadership at a young age; as an adult, I have enjoyed introducing the great outdoors to our youth and other scout leaders.
Leading many high adventure backpacking trips, I’ve also found an unexpected passion for saving and rehabilitating our native California raptors. I love California. I love Marin & Sonoma. I love the outdoors & I love our farm to fork culture.
My interest in politics stems from my passion for the community and our amazing environment. I have been lucky enough to foster birds and have successfully returned many birds to the wild - a truly thrilling experience! In my 20’s and 30’s, I was drawn to coaching basketball for Novato and San Marin High Schools, and when my children began sports later on, I carried that through in CYO and Novato Rec Basketball. Working with birds, taking kids into the outdoors, volunteering as a coach, I've seen how bad policies impact businesses, students, the environment and people.
When I was younger I started careers in construction and real estate. As the son of a single mother, money was always tight growing up so I learned the value of hard work young. Opening Trek Winery with my wife was the culmination of a lifelong dream. I am proud of the business I have built with the help of my family, which shows in the many awards and accolades and its successful expansion into a brewery and restaurant. I want to help ensure that other kids like me can dream big and work hard in California.
I have always made time to be active in local civics and have remained tuned in to the issues facing Marin and Sonoma Counties both as a taxpayer, resident and downtown business owner. I am keenly aware of the impact Assembly decisions have on Marin and Sonoma and want to do more to guide policy in a responsible and creative way. Marin and Sonoma counties have tremendous untapped potential. Unfortunately, our agricultural way of life is under threat. We need to balance the needs of farmers, commuters, retirees and residents in every stage of life. As a small business owner and family man I know we need dedicated, practical and innovative thinkers to fulfill that potential.
We must control our spending without stifling necessary growth, or compromising safety. We need a steady supply of water. We need to encourage our family farms to continue into the next generation. If you are "pro environment" you need to be pro family farm. We can do a much better job at promoting ourselves as a destination by developing activities and businesses that draw residents and visitors to our communities as a whole.
We can standardize policies, including fees and ordinances, to benefit all our residents and keep our communities vibrant and modern - without losing our character.
I am ready, willing, and eager to get to work. I am passionate about giving back.
Podshadley for Assembly: More than an assembly candidate!
This is a picture of Iron Gate Reservoir in the small Northern California town of Hornbrook. Iron Gate Reservoir is on the Klamath River. This is one of the dams that Assembly members voted to remove. The area now looks like moon scape and the Klamath River is now black with many years of silt flowing through the lake bed and down the river.
I’ve also found an unexpected passion working with Sonoma County Bird Rescue saving and rehabilitating our native California raptors. I have fostered and successfully returned many birds to the wild - a truly thrilling experience!
Please consider contributing to my campaign. Its as easy as taking a picture of the QR code to the right, Thank you!