Financial Counsel to Governments, Non-Profits & Public Private Ventures

Mr. Gardiner is a business and financial advisor to companies, non-profits and public entities.    Mr. Gardiner’s formal training is in finance and economics, and he’s spearheaded more than $10 billion of debt and equity financings.  He also brings an extensive technical background to his engagements.  He is a director, officer or advisor to several technology-related companies, has managed major technology development projects, served as systems engineer on NASA contracts, and designed a number of electronics products.  Mr. Gardiner has been a leader on numerous public and civic boards, including his current service as Chair of the Oregon Aviation Board, which oversees the operation of the State’s 28 airports and promotes aviation industry and air service in Oregon.

Mr. Gardiner has 30 years of experience as an entrepreneur, financial and business advisor, public official and manager in a broad range of industries.  In his consulting practice, Mr. Gardiner has specialized in: long-term financial, strategic and business planning for corporations and governments; securing growth funding for new entities; economic development and project development financing; design and implementation of public-private partnerships; “bond banks”; transportation financial planning and funding; and, public assembly facility project financing.  Mr. Gardiner also has considerable experience in financial planning, credit analysis and financing for many types of enterprises and utilities.

Mr. Gardiner has been involved in financing widely varied entities and facilities since 1976, including: airports, transportation project bonds, health facilities, sewer, water, parking, golf, auto race track, electric utility, and solid waste revenue bonds; general obligation bonds; stadium and arena project financings; assessment bonds; certificates of participation; tax and revenue anticipation notes; tax exempt commercial paper; variable rate demand bonds; and various lease/purchase financings – as well as equity financing for start-up companies.  Mr. Gardiner has also served as financial advisor to a number of “conduit” financing entities: he was involved in the design and formation of the State of Oregon’s Bond Bank and the New Mexico Finance Authority, and advised the Alaska Industrial Development Authority (AIDEA) – for which he is currently developing a comprehensive strategic plan.  Mr. Gardiner also has advised state and local governments on tax and fee strategies related to major private developments.

Most recently, he has been business advisor to the Oregon Health and Science University for the River Campus / South Waterfront project – a $2+ billion bio-technology, academic, clinical, housing and commercial mixed use development.  Mr. Gardiner also recently advised the City of Bend and Washington County on strategies for financing infrastructure and services in those rapidly growing Oregon communities.  He has also assisted the City of Springfield in financing a major mixed-use riverfront development and advising Clackamas County, Oregon’s regional wastewater utilities.  Mr. Gardiner’s other recent major projects include the Portland Airport MAX Light Rail system and the creation of the LOTT Wastewater Alliance in Washington. 

Mr. Gardiner developed financing strategies for over 30 sports and entertainment venues across North America including Portland’s Rose Garden, Phoenix's BancOne Ballpark, GM Place in Vancouver, B.C., Seattle's Key Arena.  As “financial architect” for the San Francisco Giants, he designed and implemented the unique financing for Pacific Bell (now AT&T) Park – the first privately financed MLB ballpark since Dodger Stadium in 1962.  He was also CFO of Portland Family Entertainment, which developed PGE Park in Portland.