The Gardner Cos., a Salt Lake City real estate development company, has announced changes in its leadership. The company announced that founder Kem C. Gardner will transition into a new position as chairman emeritus, while his son Christian Gardner will remain as CEO and become chairman of the board. Brady Southwick, who most recently was executive vice president at Vivint, will replace and report directly to Christian Gardner as president of the Gardner Cos., running day-to-day operations.
“I’m humbled and excited to move into this new role with the Gardner Cos. and to build on the incredible legacy that my father has built,” said Christian Gardner. “While I am poised to focus on the strategic direction and growth of our companies, my father will remain a key voice as chairman emeritus as we continue to create space and invest in ideas for the greater good of our communities.”
As president and CEO of the Gardner Cos., a position he has held since 2004, Christian Gardner has overseen the rapid growth of the business’ full-service real estate arm, which specializes in the development and management of office, retail, industrial, medical and residential properties.
With partner Luigi Resta, Christian Gardner also started a diversified renewable energy company, rPlus Energies, that is focused on delivering utility-scale, clean power generation and storage. Tha company is currently working on 31 projects across 15 states, representing approximately 12 gigawatts of new generation and storage capacity.
Christian Gardner is involved in many community and charitable causes. He chairs the board of trustees for the University of Utah and sits on the boards of directors for The Children’s Center Utah, Utah Sports Commission, and Economic Development Corporation of Utah. He received a master’s degree from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and a bachelor of science from the University of Utah.
Prior to his position at Vivint, Southwick led multiple organizations for Cummins Inc., a Fortune 500 company. Notably, he led the company’s Africa, North East and South East Asia and the Rocky Mountain regions. He also was responsible for strategy and business development in China. He currently serves as chairman of the board of trustees for Salt Lake Community College and on the board of directors for Melaleuca.
“It feels incredible to be coming full circle in my career,” Southwick said. “Like many others, I have long admired the work that Gardner does, and I am grateful and elated to take a position where I can help continue to build on an incredible reputation of creating community.”