Washington State Public Works Board--Board Chair

• Jan 2021 - Present

Appointed by Governor Inslee and as Chair of the Washington Public Works Board, Kathryn leads the 13-member Public Works Board (PWB) that advocates, sets policy, and finances infrastructure projects across the state through a competitive process. In the 2021-2023 biennium, the Board will issue construction contracts worth $249 million in legislature appropriated funds in six traditional infrastructure types: sanitary sewer, domestic water, roads, bridges, stormwater, and solid waste projects. In the same biennium, the Board has issued $56 million in broadband infrastructure projects. As Chair, Kathryn works with PWB staff, Washington Department of Commerce staff, and the Board's lobbyist and fellow boardmembers to advocate for full funding from the Public Works Assistance Account (PWAA) to enable contract awards for jurisdictions to construct much needed infrastructure. The PWAA is a revolving loan fund where jurisdictions are offered low interest loans (currently at 1.37% in this cycle) to be paid back over a 20-year period. The PWAA is capitalized by these loan payments and three other tax sources. For 12 years, the legislature diverted the funds to other uses, such as the Education Legacy Trust Fund. These re-appropriations are set to expire June 30, 2023. The PWB will be advocating to the legislature for the sunset of the re-appropriations. Show less

Principal

• Apr 2011 - Present

Gardow Consulting, LLC provides land use analysis & permitting services on behalf of private and public sector clients. Additional information can be found on my website GardowConsulting.com. Gardow Consulting, LLC provides land use analysis & permitting services on behalf of private and public sector clients. Additional information can be found on my website GardowConsulting.com.

Investor

• Apr 2017 - Present

Limited Partner in an impact investment group. Limited Partner in an impact investment group.

WA Recreation Conservation Funding Board

• Jan 2017 - Feb 2023

General public member of the board. Set policy for outdoor recreation and habitat preservation. Approve project lists for the Washington Wildlife and Recreation Program, NOVA, and other board approved programs. Develop policy to support recreation and conservation projects in underserved communities. General public member of the board. Set policy for outdoor recreation and habitat preservation. Approve project lists for the Washington Wildlife and Recreation Program, NOVA, and other board approved programs. Develop policy to support recreation and conservation projects in underserved communities.

Chief Operating Officer

• Mar 2015 - Nov 2021

Leveraging land use planning, regulatory and civil engineering expertise, Kathryn brings farming and food production into the mix to create communities that value where their food comes from. Leveraging land use planning, regulatory and civil engineering expertise, Kathryn brings farming and food production into the mix to create communities that value where their food comes from.

Candidate for City Council--District 4

• Apr 2019 - Apr 2019

Candidate for District 4 Interim City Council position. Candidate for District 4 Interim City Council position.

Interim City Engineer

• Feb 2015 - Mar 2016

As Interim City Engineer for the City of Normandy Park, Kathryn brought leadership and organization to a flailing engineering department. When Kathryn started there was a significant permit backlog including some still lingering four year old enforcement orders. In the year as Interim City Engineer she worked with the City Manager, Planning Department, and Public Works Maintenance staff as well as outside consultants to put together a functional engineering operation while rebuilding trust and accountability for this essential city service. Kathryn ensured that statutory requirements were met while reviewing, writing, and issuing development permits for many projects. Drainage and geotechnical/steep slope issues were of specific concern when evaluating projects. Kathryn worked with multiple parties to permit the WSDOT project to repave State Route 509 during the night, when the City's noise ordinance severely restricted night time noise. Show less

Farmland Preservation Advisory Board Member

• 2012 - 2016

Served as a member of an advisory board to rate and rank farmland projects for potential funding through the Washington Wildlife and Recreation Program. Served as a member of an advisory board to rate and rank farmland projects for potential funding through the Washington Wildlife and Recreation Program.

Conservation Director

• 2010 - 2011

Assisted with transition to the full-time Executive Director. Prepared Federal, State, and County applications for funding to preserve threatened farmland. Presented workshops at the Tilth Producers of Washington and the regional and national Land Trust Alliance conferences on the techniques to conserve and preserve farmland.

Executive Director

• 2006 - 2010

As the Executive Director, I grew & managed Washington Farmland Trust (formerly PCC Farmland Trust) from a 1-person to 6-person organization saving local organic farmland from development forever. Led the Board on a strategic planning effort to save 5 farms in 5 years. Under my direction, Washington Farmland Trust saved the 100-acre Orting Valley Farms in Pierce County that was slated for rural estate development and placed three new farmers on it, increasing total acreage conserved to 550 acres. Established farmland stewardship and monitoring program. Increased fundraising three fold to $1 million/year in 2009 in the depths of the recession. Doubled number of donors to 3,000 contributors in three years. Began regularly scheduled farm tour events at all Washington Farmland Trust farms. Show less

President

• 1994 - 2006

Project work included land use analysis, environmental and permit consulting for jurisdictions and private developers. Clients included the Cities of Snoqulamie, Newcastle, and University Place and private sector clients, including developers and gravel mine owners. Typical issues addressed during application or permit preparation included transportation, geotechnical, wetlands, flooding, stormwater, and aesthetic issues. Many projects required environmental review including preparation of expanded environmental checklists or Environmental Impact Statements. Show less

Founder

• Nov 2003 - Dec 2004

Organized more than 100 volunteers, who registered 2000 WA State residents the during the cliff-hanger 2004 election. Leveraged the power of the grass-roots effort canvassing for voters at more than 80 events and setting up 7 phone banks, including housing 40 callers at an eastside real estate brokerage office. Coordinated campaign with Washington CAN and Statewide Poverty Action Network. Organized more than 100 volunteers, who registered 2000 WA State residents the during the cliff-hanger 2004 election. Leveraged the power of the grass-roots effort canvassing for voters at more than 80 events and setting up 7 phone banks, including housing 40 callers at an eastside real estate brokerage office. Coordinated campaign with Washington CAN and Statewide Poverty Action Network.

Project Manager

• 1989 - 1993

Project Manager on large, complex development projects including Snoqualmie Ridge and Redmond Ridge on behalf of the approving authority. Tasks on the Snoqualmie Ridge project included negotiating and facilitating resolution of wetland, water quality, hydrology and geomorphology issues between the applicant and the approving authority during Master Drainage Plan preparation. Specific issues included Snoqualmie River flooding and direct discharge to the River, compensatory storage, tightlining direct discharge flows to avoid post-development runoff flows on highly erodible steep slopes and coordination with King County Surface Water Management through the Interagency Review Team process. Show less

Project Engineer

• 1987 - 1987

Engineered subdivisions including road, stormwater, sewer and water design. Prepared permit documentation and worked with agencies for permit approval. Engineered subdivisions including road, stormwater, sewer and water design. Prepared permit documentation and worked with agencies for permit approval.

Project Engineer

• 1985 - 1986

Project Engineer

• 1981 - 1985

Designed subdivisions and site plans. Performed stormwater calculations. Presented projects at Planning Commissions, Conservation Commissions, and Zoning Commissions. Designed on-site sewage septic systems and performed soil testing. Designed subdivisions and site plans. Performed stormwater calculations. Presented projects at Planning Commissions, Conservation Commissions, and Zoning Commissions. Designed on-site sewage septic systems and performed soil testing.

Project Engineer

• 1980 - 1981

Field Engineer on the Brigham and Women's Hospital and the Long Wharf Marriott Hotel--Boston, MA Field Engineer on the Brigham and Women's Hospital and the Long Wharf Marriott Hotel--Boston, MA