Seattle's energy sector is illuminated not just by the glow of the city's pervasive tech scene but also by the people behind the scenes ensuring the grid runs like clockwork; leading the charge in Seattle City Light's Customer Operations Division is Katie Zook King, Electric Service Representative Supervisor, whose role was recently highlighted in the utility's Powerlines blog. King spearheads a team dedicated to managing the electric service connections that power the city, from installations to modifications, with her responsibilities extending to training, project management, and significantly more.
Originating from Colorado Springs, Katie's academic journey led her to secure a Bachelor of Science in Business Management and a Master of Science in Management and Leadership from Western Governors University, informing her nearly two decades in various local utilities; a career that allowed her to witness firsthand the intricacies of energy management and instill a people-first philosophy within her team. When not immersed in her work, the supervisor is situated at the base of Mount Pilchuck, fostering a family life with her husband James, whom she met on a fateful hike, their two children, Brooke and Gavyn, and the family's pets, two dogs named Whittaker and Cali. “Our amazing team in Customer Engineering!” Katie cites her team’s unwavering dedication as her motivator at work, stressing their passion to serve in a changing landscape.
Despite the structured environment of her work, King still finds time for diverse interests that testify to her appreciation for the world outside the office, the supervisor has a penchant for 10:30 p.m. sunsets, long days of outdoor excursions, whether hiking, tending to her garden, or riding her motorcycle, and a planned family trip to Switzerland; her favored seasons, summer and fall, offer the best backdrop for these activities. Among her personal joys, she relishes joining her family for game nights, an extension of the teamwork and camaraderie she fosters at City Light.
With an admiration for "A League of Their Own," her favorite childhood movie, Katie Zook King embodies not only the leadership portrayed in the classic film but also its spirit of perseverance, she exhibits a work ethic that aligns with those dawn-to-dusk days she cherishes, considering herself an early bird and a night owl alike—a harmonic melding of personal and professional spheres that shine through her substantial contributions to Seattle's efforts in powering homes, businesses, and communities.
