Seattle is getting an inside look at the people working behind the scenes of its critical infrastructure, and this time, Powerlines has featured Christian Gardner, the man tasked with keeping the city's lights on by steering the Pole Replacement Program. Gardner began his City Light journey in April 2023 after four years of consultancy for the utility. He is part of the Project Management team within Strategic Capital Programs and is now to squarely focus on replacing aging and damaged wood poles throughout the city.
Gardner hails from Puyallup, Washington, and proudly holds a business administration degree with a management focus from the University of Washington–Tacoma. With a five-year marriage and a 2-year-old son, the Capital Projects Coordinator seems to passionately find the balance between improving Seattle's utility services and family life. As Gardner said, "I enjoy managing projects that directly improve the utility and the city," a sentiment clearly illustrating his dedication to resilience in Seattle's electrical infrastructure. Gardner's tenure has already begun to adapt and swiftly progress the city's capital projects forward, as per the Seattle City Light (SCL).
When not working on enhancing grid reliability, Gardner, an admitted sci-fi/action film enthusiast who appreciates a touch of comedy, might be rooting for the Seahawks on a rainy day. It's also no secret that he has an appetite for travel, particularly to Italy, as he jokingly credits them for inventing pizza. However, don't expect him to lack a contingency plan should he ever find himself stranded.
