Andrea Starr, CPSM
Since 2024
Active
SMPS North Texas member
AEC marketing professional
Andrea leads comprehensive marketing and proposal development strategies for Garver, an employee-owned engineering and consulting firm with 105 years of distinguished service to the AEC industry. As AEC Marketing & Proposal Specialist based in Texas, she coordinates sophisticated proposal efforts supporting Garver’s transportation planning, aviation, water, buildings, and federal infrastructure services across the state. Her role encompasses the full proposal lifecycle—from RFP analysis through final client delivery—for a firm ranked in the Top 100 of Engineering News-Record’s Top 500 Design Firms with over 1,400 professionals across 60 offices in 20 states.
Her expertise spans transportation sector marketing, proposal coordination, content development, and client-focused messaging for complex engineering projects. Andrea brings specialized knowledge in Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) procurement processes, highway and bridge design marketing, and multi-disciplinary infrastructure project positioning. She excels at translating technical engineering capabilities into compelling narratives that resonate with public sector selection committees and demonstrate Garver’s distinct competitive advantages.
With a foundation from Michigan Technological University, Andrea combines analytical thinking with creative marketing strategy. Her work supports Garver’s Texas transportation leadership team in delivering major infrastructure projects including interstate corridors, complex interchanges, bridge systems, and municipal street improvements that connect communities throughout Texas and beyond. Her proposal expertise helps position Garver’s century-long legacy of innovation and client service for continued growth in competitive public sector markets.
Andrea demonstrates professional leadership through her CPSM certification and active engagement with SMPS North Texas, one of the industry’s largest and most dynamic chapters serving AEC marketing professionals across the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex and beyond. The SMPS North Texas chapter—formed through the strategic merger of SMPS Dallas and SMPS Fort Worth—provides expanded programming, training, and networking opportunities for members across all of North Texas, from Lubbock to Tyler and Waco to Amarillo.
Her CPSM credential reflects mastery of professional services marketing principles specifically tailored to the architecture, engineering, and construction industry. This certification demonstrates commitment to professional excellence and adherence to the highest standards in AEC business development and marketing strategy. Andrea’s certification positions her among an elite group of fewer than 1,000 active CPSM holders nationwide who have demonstrated comprehensive knowledge of marketing principles, proposal development, client relationship management, and strategic positioning within professional services firms.
At Garver, Andrea contributes to an employee-owned culture that has achieved Zweig Group Best Firm to Work For Legacy Status—earning the #1 ranking for 10 consecutive years. This remarkable recognition reflects Garver’s people-first approach and commitment to professional development, which aligns with Andrea’s own dedication to continuous learning and industry engagement. Her work supports Garver’s Texas transportation leadership team, which has successfully delivered major TxDOT projects including the landmark Ports-to-Plains Feasibility Study—one of the largest corridor studies in Texas history, covering nearly 1,000 miles.
Andrea’s educational foundation from Michigan Technological University, known for its strong engineering and technology programs, provides valuable perspective on how technical professionals think and communicate. This understanding enhances her ability to work effectively with engineers and technical teams, translating complex project capabilities into accessible client messaging. Her role bridges the gap between technical excellence and market positioning, ensuring Garver’s engineering innovations are communicated effectively to decision-makers.
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