Our Founder
Ward Christensen
Ward found a passion for control systems as a young mechanical engineering
student in the 1980s working with machine code programming in the packaging
industry. Ever since, he has devoted his 37-year career to creating, improving,
commercializing and meeting, if not exceeding, market demand for microprocessor-
based control interface systems. Beginning in 1999 Ward moved away from the
packaging industry and moved into the lighting industry and has since been
passionate about finding better pathways to green energy. Within the industry, he
has served as the National Sales Manager at Lighting Control & Design
(now owned by Acuity) and as Controls Manager at Prudential Lighting Products
Southern California (PLP SoCal) providing services with a focus on customization of
design for projects in the Los Angeles area. Through his employers, he has
represented all major manufacturers of lighting control systems with proven
success of over 50% average annual sales growth volume over a 20+ year period.
Ward’s most recent venture is his own. Founded in February of 2020, Chris Controls
is a consulting firm that focuses on system controls that promote energy
conservation through open standards and secure network integration. Chris
Controls’ specialty is working with manufacturers with innovative product solutions
that challenge the status quo of current industry standards.
