In this episode of Coffee Talk with Becky Dee, Becky sits down with Jordan Marlowe, Newberry City Manager, former mayor, longtime educator, farmer, and fourth-generation Newberry native, for a conversation about roots, leadership, growth, and what truly makes a community feel like home.
Jordan’s connection to Newberry runs generations deep. He shares the remarkable story of his grandfather, who arranged to purchase the family farm before D-Day, survived a Nazi prison work camp during World War II, and eventually returned home to find the farm paid off and waiting for him. That land remains part of Jordan’s life today and helped shape his deep connection to the community he now helps lead.
But City Hall wasn’t always the plan.
Jordan spent 19 years teaching at Newberry High School, where he also coached, mentored students, sponsored student government and helped young people experience opportunities far beyond the classroom. A challenge from some of those very students eventually helped push him toward public service — first as a commissioner, then mayor, and ultimately into his current role as City Manager.
Becky and Jordan talk about what leadership looks like when it’s rooted in listening rather than recognition, the importance of helping people feel heard even when you disagree, and Jordan’s belief that being a “small town” has less to do with population and more to do with how people treat one another.
They also dive into Newberry’s rapid growth and the challenge of embracing new opportunities without losing the character that makes the community special. Jordan shares what’s happening with downtown revitalization, parks, recreation, Champions Park and the vision for expanding Newberry as a destination for sports, events and experiences.
And because this is Coffee Talk, things get a little competitive too. Becky and Jordan discuss their upcoming zip-line race on Newberry’s Double Dragon — because apparently talking about community development wasn’t enough excitement for one episode.
Through it all, one message keeps coming back: community is built through kindness, connection, shared values and people willing to show up for one another.
Jordan leaves us with a simple challenge for the day:
Look for the light. It’s there every day — and be the light for somebody else.
Grab your coffee and pull up a chair for a conversation about hometown roots, public service, positive leadership, big dreams for a growing community — and the people who make Newberry feel like home.
☕ Keep the conversation going
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Voiceover & original music by Dan Kreitz — DKVOPro.com
