Kirk Gardner

WORK HISTORY

EDUCATION

ABOUT KIRK GARDNER

Proactive Relationship Builder | Trusted Liaison Bridging Business and CommunityI’m an External Affairs professional who thrives on building relationships, solving problems, and helping organizations strike the right balance between business priorities and community needs.I’ve become known for having a calm, collaborative presence in high-pressure situations — from widespread power outages to sensitive municipal negotiations. Whether I’m working with city leaders, emergency management agencies, business stakeholders, or internal teams, I prioritize clear communication, trust, and consistent I Do Best: Build and maintain long-term relationships with government officials, business partners, and civic leaders Advocate for company priorities while ensuring community voices are heard Leverage public engagement and collaborate with internal teams to drive project success Navigate crisis situations with clarity and composure — always keeping people informed Manage complex stakeholder communications using tools like Microsoft Dynamics 365 CRM Engage in communities through board membership and volunteerism Align philanthropic giving and partnerships with business objectives and community Few Highlights I’m Proud Of: Secured public support for a major transmission line project by aligning it with recreational trail goals, saving costs and eliminating opposition Delivered real-time storm restoration updates and earned a mayoral proclamation for public service during a severe weather event Collaborated with internal teams to identify cost-effective EV charging station sites, supporting City of Akron\'s federal grant competitiveness Initiated the launch of an innovative sustainability partnership with the Akron Zoo to repurpose utility vegetation as animal ConnectI care deeply about serving communities and stakeholders while achieving corporate goals. I’m always open to new ways to put my skills to use.If you\'re interested in discussing new opportunities — in person or virtually — please feel free to contact me at g••••••••@gmail.com.