Carol Wardell, Chelan PUD Attorney retiring, ready to 'take on new challenges'

"It's time," Carol Wardell told Chelan PUD Board of Commissioners Monday. After more than 17 years on staff at the PUD as an attorney, 15 of those as General Counsel and two as staff attorney as well as another eight years as the PUD's outside counsel, Wardell said it's time to focus a little less on the professional side of life and a little more on the personal side. Carol's retirement will be effective on June 11.

In a briefing Monday during the Commissioners' regular meeting, Wardell took Board Members on a brief walk down memory lane, reminding them of some of the projects that took place on her watch. This included salmon protection plans for Rocky Reach and Rock Island dams designed to address returns of Endangered Species Act-listed fish; two license renewal projects; setting up the District's security program post-9/11; crafting wholesale power contracts with Alcoa and PSE; drafting the PUD's slice agreements that have been used in the PUD's hedging program; and many, many more high-profile efforts on behalf of the District.

"And, Kurt (Wardell's husband) retired on May 27," Wardell told the Commissioners. "I don't want to miss out on all the fun." Wardell said that she had cut back her hours during the past two years and stepped down as General Counsel, but that she plans to and focus as much on her personal life now as she has her professional life for the past 35 years.

Prior to joining the PUD, Wardell was a state Supreme Court clerk out of law school and then went into private practice. She was appointed a Superior Court Judge for Chelan and Douglas Counties in 1991 by then-Gov. Booth Gardner, winning election in 1991 and re-election in 1992 and 1996 respectively. She was the first female judge in Chelan and Douglas Counties.

Wardell has been an active community leader and volunteer and was a co-founder of the Chelan-Douglas chapter of Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA), providing a voice for abused or neglected children. She also has been a Trustee and is the current president of Confluence Health Community Foundation, serving on their Board since 2002.She has received numerous professional and community awards, including:

• Chelan-Douglas Bar Association President's Award in 1998

• 2001 Wenatchee Business Woman of the Year

• 2006 Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) Appreciation Award

• 2012 Washington Public Utility Districts Association (WPUDA) William T. Elmgren Community Service Award

• 2013 Women's Resource Center Woman of the Year

Erik Wahlquist took over the duties of General Counsel from Wardell in 2013. Joining the PUD's staff attorney Karen Wiggum is Charles Von Reis, recently hired as a staff attorney.

Carol's plans? "Well, I could sure use a little more time on the golf course," she says. She also plans to re-learn the piano, try her hand at some art projects, and maybe take a few, interesting college courses. She will continue her community volunteer efforts and be available to the PUD as issues and projects arise as needed. But primarily, "It's time for Kurt and me to put as much energy into those 'someday' plans as we have put into our professional achievements.