ABOUT US

Christie Lites Bios

Huntly Christie
CEO

Known for his fast pace and referred to by many as “The Hurricane”, Huntly has spent more than 3 decades in the stage lighting industry continually honing his craft.
His job is defined as "determining the future of Christie Lites and taking action to make sure that future happens". He is a big believer in the importance of focus and constantly looks at ways to simplify the company, tighten its operations and innovate.

Full Bio

Huntly Christie
CEO

Known for his fast pace and referred to by many as “The Hurricane”, Huntly has spent more than 3 decades in the stage lighting industry continually honing his craft.

His job is defined as "determining the future of Christie Lites and taking action to make sure that future happens". He is a big believer in the importance of focus and constantly looks at ways to simplify the company, tighten its operations and innovate. He spends his time on the company's infrastructure and client relations.

Beginnings......

In the early '80's Huntly was trying to make a living playing the drums in a rock band. As was the case with many drummers working the club circuit, his responsibilities included loading trucks, setting up sound and lighting equipment and helping out with a variety of production details.

After a fun but unsuccessful attempt to build a career as a musician, Huntly turned his attention to the stage lighting industry. In 1985 at the age of 25, he founded Christie Lites in a small garage at his father's house in Toronto, Canada.

At its inception Christie Lites was the only company in the Toronto area dedicated exclusively to stage lighting. Huntly's narrow focus on this singular aspect of the production market intensified the company's growth such that in the span of 13 years Christie Lites emerged as Canada's largest and most successful stage lighting company.

In 1998 Huntly made the decision to move himself and his family to Orlando, Florida so he could expand the company and establish the first American presence for Christie Lites.

Huntly's focus and determination have supported his efforts to expand Christie Lites beyond North America and into the United Kingdom.
Christie Lites Coventry established in 2017.
Huntly is pleased to welcome our United Kingdom colleagues and excited about the future and global opportunities to further support our valued clients around the world.

Chris Patton
VP Rentals

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Chris Patton
VP Rentals

Chris, a UK native, moved to the US in 2014 after a 12-year tenure at Stage Electrics. There, he headed up a team providing lighting equipment and services for West End and touring theatre productions. He later led the International Trade Division, managing overseas projects and strategic market expansion.

In 2011, Chris joined GDS and was instrumental in forming a strategic partnership with industry-leading manufacturer ETC. He later joined ETC's Product Management team, focusing on market intelligence and global strategies.

In 2022, Chris returned to the lighting rental world with Christie Lites as VP of Rentals, working with a passionate team in the entertainment technology industry focused on growing the company's presence in global theatre.

Now living in Middleton, WI, Chris enjoys golf, Formula One, and pool. Chris believes that if you want something, you should go get it! The magic of the theatre captured his heart at age 11, and he is grateful that his career is his passion as he continues to forge a successful path forward for Christie Lites with drive and commitment.

Ken Alexander
VP Rentals

Starting behind the scenes in elementary school, Ken graduated with honors from the Theatre Dept. of Western Washington University. During University, Ken spent time at the scene shops of the Julliard School and Minnesota Opera. After graduation he returned home to Vancouver where his college interest in dance was the ticket to his next engagement.

Full Bio

Ken Alexander
VP Rentals

Starting behind the scenes in elementary school, Ken graduated with honors from the Theatre Dept. of Western Washington University. During University, Ken spent time in the scene shops of the Julliard School and Minnesota Opera. After graduation he returned home to Vancouver where his college interest in dance was the ticket to his next engagement.

Ken was LD and TD for many ballet and contemporary dance groups including The National Ballet of Canada; Ballet British Columbia, and ME and PE on a 6 year run of the musical ‘Joseph’ staring Donny Osmond. Years of touring were a great chance to see the world on someone else’s dime. Back at home, various freelance TD, PM, and LD projects led to Ken’s first foray into equipment rentals – as an audio vendor no less!
In 1991 while premiering a new work for the National Ballet in Toronto, Ken met Huntly Christie and the original CLT team. At the end of the run, Huntly and Ken agreed to stay in touch and thus was born the idea of expanding Christie Lites beyond its home city. While Ken continued to tour, Christie Lites Vancouver officially opened in 1992 as the first CL expansion team.
Ken has been the VP of Rentals for Christie Lites for 8 years. He still spends much of his time on the road with a focus on supporting the Rental Rep team and their continually expanding client relationships. He has a never-ending passion for the gigs, and for the relationships that are the cornerstone of CL’s business success.

Home is just outside of beautiful Vancouver, Canada - with the ocean on one side and the mountains on the other. Personal time includes relaxing at the ‘Cove’, side trips to Seahawks games and exploring the world with his wife Tracy and faithful hound Abby.

In his own words Ken says: “I enjoy the gifts of good health; amazing friends and family; and consistent good luck. Combining creative and life interests with continuing business expansion opportunities – I am truly blessed”.

Dan Sonenberg
VP Rentals

Dan Sonenberg originally started his career in 2000 working weekend sales and sales shipping during the week while completing his BFA in Theatre. He worked for 17 years at Encore Canada (and previous entities) building their Lighting department in Canada and liaising with US based global entity. He was excited to join the Christie Lites Rental Rep team in September 2023, before moving into his current role as VP of Rentals.

Full Bio

Dan Sonenberg
VP Rentals

His love of theatre and lighting began in high school working both on school productions as well as two local theatres. He has designed pavilions at Live sites at the 2010 Vancouver Olympics, and designed the lighting for the G7 in Quebec in 2018. He has also designed lighting for many musicals and plays including the original production of Little Shop of Horrors Jr.
Outsite of work he enjoys spending time with his family, time in nature, taking in as much theatre as possible, and as a Canadian... obviously hockey!

Rod "Red" Gibson
VP Rentals

Rod Gibson has had a 40-year career in lighting starting in the Western Canadian Club circuit, graduating to Vancouver and doing touring and corporate shows for Westsun. He worked doing tours with RA Roth from 1993 on, and spent more than 2 years as the touring Vari Lite operator for Live Entertainment’s production of Showboat. After that, he toured with PRG before joining Christie Lites Seattle as the Operations Manager in 2006, and finally joining the Rental Rep team in 2010.

Full Bio

Rod "Red" Gibson
VP Rentals

Rod Gibson has had a 40-year career in lighting starting in the Western Canadian Club circuit, graduating to Vancouver and doing touring and corporate shows for Westsun.

He worked doing tours with RA Roth from 1993 on, and spent more than 2 years as the touring Vari Lite operator for Live Entertainment’s production of Showboat. After that, he toured with PRG before joining Christie Lites Seattle as the Operations Manager in 2006, and finally joining the Rental Rep team in 2010.

As Operations Manager he was integral to expanding the shop's business and efficiency.

He found moving to his role as a Rental Rep a challenging but enjoyable experience which allowed him to use his extensive experience doing shows. It proved to be an invaluable asset in dealing with all disciplines of the lighting business.

In his free time he loves spending time his family as well as Fishing, Golfing and cheering on the Seattle Kraken, Seahawks and Mariners.

Ian Gordon
VP Rentals

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Ian Gordon
VP Rentals

Ian Gordon, also known as ‘IG,’ raised in the Pacific Northwest’s Victoria BC discovered he enjoyed ‘hands-on work’ which naturally led him to a passionate career in live event production. He began as a production manager and lighting designer (PM/LD) with a group of high school friends, and quickly discovered a profession that felt less like a job and more like a calling. Before joining Christie Lites in 2001, Ian was with Westsun International for 15 years working in various roles, from technician to rigger to VP of Concert Touring; gaining a deep understanding of the industry and the importance of strong relationships. For IG, live event production has always been about solving complex technical challenges and mentoring the next generation of lighting designers.

Outside of work, you will find IG with friends or family skiing, biking, fishing, sailing, golfing, or other adventures where he enjoys expressing his creativity from restoring vintage cars to furniture design and woodworking.

Marko Stewart
VP Rentals

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Marko Stewart
VP Rentals

Marko started his career with Christie Lites in April of 2017. His passion for live music and festivals led him into the production industry, starting in London where he worked with a record label managing logistics for weekly events. After two years, he took on a similar role at Club Space in Ibiza, Spain, overseeing larger-scale productions. After returning to the U.S., he transitioned to Christie Lites, where he continues to support live event production and the relationships that help make it happen. He has worked on shows including Tony Robbins, Insomniac Events Electric Daisy Carnival, Robbie Williams, and $uicideboy$.

Outside of work he trains Muay Thai, creates Techno with synthesizers, SCUBE dives, and spends time with his family.

Caity Joy
Broadway Business Development Manager

Caity entered the world of professional theater in 2006, launching her career in stage management at Peterborough Players in her home state of New Hampshire. Over the next six years, she held various stage and production management roles across the United States before settling in New York City and becoming a proud member of Actor’s Equity Association.

Full Bio

Caity Joy
Broadway Business Development Manager

Caity served as the resident stage manager at Shadowbox Theater in Brooklyn before transitioning into a staff role at The Public Theater in June 2012. Joining the production department as Associate Production Manager, Caity swiftly ascended to the position of Production Manager and eventually assumed the role of Associate Director of Production.

Throughout her nearly 12-year tenure, Caity contributed to the success of numerous acclaimed works, several of which have had subsequent Broadway transfers, including Fun Home, Hamilton, Girl from the North Country, Fat Ham and Suffs. With an extensive production management portfolio spanning dozens of Off-Broadway productions and over 100 developmental works, Caity is deeply committed to fostering inclusivity within the NYC theater community.

Guided by her belief that people thrive when they feel valued and heard, Caity brings a compassionate, human-centered approach to her work. She eagerly anticipates supporting Christie Lites in solidifying its presence as a permanent, integral, and influential part of the NYC theater community.

Michael Rawson
Treasurer

Michael began his accounting career as a clerk in an advertising agency and assisted in the media buying department. He has held accounting positions ever since, always learning more about the profession and how businesses operate. He got his feet wet in this industry working for an Audio/Visual staging company where he learned all the aspects of how gigs were executed and funded. He joined Christie Lites in 2004 and has been steadily challenged, which he says has made his time with this company rewarding and satisfying.

Full Bio

Michael Rawson
Treasurer

Michael began his accounting career as a clerk in an advertising agency and assisted in the media buying department. He has held accounting positions ever since, always learning more about the profession and how businesses operate. He has worked for both private and publicly traded companies. Michael got his feet wet in this industry working for an Audio/Visual staging company where he learned all the aspects of how gigs were executed and funded. He joined Christie Lites in 2004 and has been steadily challenged, which he says has made his time with this company rewarding and satisfying.

In his spare time he enjoys spending time with his wife travelling or with friends and family, going to the gym and other physical activities, and riding on any vehicle that allows him to challenge its limits.

Dan Souwand
VP Operations North America

Before working with Christie Lites Dan worked at several regional theaters around Ontario such as Victoria Playhouse Petrolia, Huron Country Playhouse and Sudbury Theatre Center.

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Dan Souwand
VP Operations North America

Before working with Christie Lites Dan worked at several regional theaters around Ontario such as Victoria Playhouse Petrolia, Huron Country Playhouse and Sudbury Theatre Center.

Dan's first contact with Christie Lites was an interview in the early 90s with Huntly for a job as a salesman. Not wanting to tie himself to a desk at that time Dan declined the job only to be contacted a few weeks later by Huntly with the offer of a tour in Northern Ontario. Who could resist 2 months in a cube van in the winter traveling from Kenora to Iroquois Falls"

After this first run of shows he never looked back taking any and every gig that Christie would send his way. He spent the next 8 years doing every thing from sweeping the shop floor to touring around the world with Julio Iglesias and Harry Connick Jr. Somewhere along the road Dan decided it was time to trade in his bunk for the comfort of his own bed (Queen sized with matching sheets that he never has to wonder whether the driver actually washed).

The timing could not have been better. The position of Operations Manager in the Toronto Office became available and Dan jumped at the opportunity. Ironically the job included the desk that Dan had traveled thousands of kilometers to avoid.

In 2006 opportunity knocked again. This time it was the position as the Head of Operations. The chance to work with the Operations Managers to build the strongest, most efficient operations team seemed too good to be true.

He currently lives in Toronto with his wife Kirsten and son Zie. In his spare time Dan is working on a cure for the common cold and a perpetual motion machine. Unfortunately, Dan now has even less spare time than he did as the CLT Operations Manager.

Paul Dhingra
VP of Software Development

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Paul Dhingra
VP of Software Development

Paul's career began in 1989, when at the age of 17, he decided to force his way into Radio. By repeatedly and continuously calling the request lines at Toronto radio station CFNY (several times a day for over 6 months), he was eventually given a daily 30 second bit on the morning show, followed by a brief internship in the music department. 2 weeks later, Paul was hired as Assistant Music Director, a position he would hold for the next 4 years. During his time in the music department, Paul branched out to learn about many aspects of running a radio station, and had the opportunity to participate in activities such as on-air production, studio/commercial production, and on-air hosting.

In 1992, Paul started Club 102 the first time that music of this type was played in a nightclub of this size, and the first time a show like that was broadcast on the radio. Paul DJ'd on Saturday nights at the Phoenix for the next 7 years. Shortly thereafter, similar shows (also with music chosen, mixed, and played by Paul) were started on Fridays at the Kingdom in Burlington, and Sundays at Whiskey Saigon - Retro 80's night. (Incidentally, all of these shows continue to be broadcast today).

In 1994, Paul decided to DJ full time, and started his company Music Sucks. By the end of 1994, he was working in nightclubs in downtown Toronto and across Southern Ontario, 6 nights/week. He was also often doing extra gigs after his nightclub gigs at raves and after-parties.

Also in 1994, Paul began his career as a professional skydiver. It wasn't long before Paul became an instructor, and progressed to many different areas of the sport, including everything from teaching first-time jumpers to freefly (sit, stand, head-down) coaching at a higher level. Paul participated (and won a few medals) in several competitions. He then became interested in demo-jumping, went through the difficult licensing process, and was hired to do things like commercials, and jumping into Air Shows, Football Games, and Ontario Place. Paul has jumped out of over 30 types of aircrafts, including helicopters and hot-air balloons, in many places throughout North America.

In 1999, after the birth of Paul's son Koen, he decided to change careers (jumping out airplanes and hanging out at nightclubs until 5am wasn't really appropriate anymore), and found Christie Lites through a lighting operator at a nightclub as well as one of his skydiving students. Paul taught himself how to run computer networks, was hired as IT Manager, and left the world of radio, nightclubs, and skydiving behind.

After completely redesigning Christie Lites' computer network, Paul implemented many new systems, both hardware and software, to support Christie Lites Toronto's business operations. He then continued to make changes and upgrades, and, not satisfied with working with one office, he expanded the department to cover all Christie Lites locations.

During this time, Paul learned the intricacies of software development, including everything from Clipper to SQL to .net web services, and was recently named Christie Lites' Systems and Software Development Manager. Paul and his department are responsible for several exciting areas of growth for Christie Lites, including data warehousing, data mining, and procedural/operational development.

Paul lives in Mississauga with his girlfriend Colleen, and their children Kyle, Danielle, Andrew, Koen, and Gabriel (that's right, there's five of them, but they haven't realized they outnumber us yet). And two cats, and a dog too!

Shane Gillespie
CIO

Shane Gillespie began his technology career eighteen years ago in the United States Marine Corps. Shane was stationed at Marine Corps Tactical Systems Support Activity at Camp Pendleton, California.

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Shane Gillespie
CIO

Shane Gillespie began his technology career eighteen years ago in the United States Marine Corps. Shane was stationed at Marine Corps Tactical Systems Support Activity at Camp Pendleton, California where he served as a network engineer supporting various Windows, UNIX, and Banyan Vines servers and Cisco-based networks.

After serving four years in the military, Shane and his family moved back to Orlando, Florida where he began working as a systems engineer in the timeshare industry. After a year in the timeshare industry, Shane began working for a consulting firm providing network and system support to large organizations including Hughes Supply and Watkins Truck Lines.

Shane comes to Christie Lites from Tempus Resorts International where he served as the technical architect for over twelve years. Shane was responsible for the design, installation, and support of the company’s technology infrastructure. During his tenure, the company grew from a single office location with fifty employees to a multi-location enterprise with over twelve hundred employees, fifty servers and five hundred desktop computers.

Shane currently lives in Davenport, FL with his wife Kimberly and their three children Brady, Brett and Brandy. He enjoys playing guitar and drums with his two teenage boys and spoiling his wife and daughter.

Joel Van Netten
VP Asset Management

Joel Van Netten’s career has spanned numerous rolls at Christie Lites over the last 25 years. Most recently, he has served as Vice President of Asset Management where he has been instrumental in managing and optimizing Christie Lites rental fleet since 2017. Previously to this he held the position of Vice President of Show Management for over five years, during which he created and developed the Project Management department at Christie Lites.

Full Bio

Joel Van Netten
VP Asset Management

Previously to this he held the position of Vice President of Show Management for over five years, during which he created and developed the Project Management department at Christie Lites. Prior to this Joel held rolls as operations manager, and touring lighting technician which has given him a depth of knowledge about many aspects of the company.

Having been raised on a farm in Southern Ontario, Joel was instilled with the resilience and work ethic necessary to succeed in the live entertainment industry, while also honing his problem solving and leadership skills. Now living in Toronto, Joel enjoys travel, woodworking, home renovations, and generally messing about with technology which further enriches his creative approach to problem-solving and project management.

Karina Mendoza
VP Show Management

Karina considers herself a native Floridian despite being born in Queens, NY because her family moved to Orlando when she was very young. She considers the move a blessing because her Colombian blood cannot handle the cold weather or snow!

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Karina Mendoza
VP Show Management

From a young age, Karina was always very driven. At age 14, she started an internship at an attorney’s office. By the end of the summer, the attorney hired Karina over a full-time paralegal because he loved her dedication and work ethic. By the age of 16, she had graduated from High School and by 18, she had her Associates degree in Business from Valencia Community College.

Although Karina enjoyed her time at the legal firm, she decided she wanted to explore the world of International Business. International Business always interested her, and she felt it would be the perfect combination of travel, vendor relationships, and contract negotiations. Karina began working various jobs to hone her skills and gain the experience that the college classroom just couldn’t offer her. In late 2009, she decided to put college on hold when she and her husband decided they wanted to start a family. Karina credits her first daughter, Liana for giving her a good excuse to leave college behind!

After having her second daughter, Karina decided she wanted to rejoin the work force. Having several years of experience in Trucking and Logistics, Karina pursued an opportunity with Christie Lites, who was building its new Transportation Team and looking for Trucking Coordinators. Karina was determined to get her foot in the door and work hard to prove her value. Karina quickly learned and thrived in this new environment. Christie Lites ended up being the perfect fit for Karina, and she fit right in with its result-driven, no-nonsense culture. After running the Transportation Department, Karina took on more responsibility, including the Purchasing Department where she found her niche! In 2017, after being with Christie Lites for 5 years, she became the Vice President of Purchasing. Karina truly enjoys what she does every day and feels that her career has come full circle. She has found a place where she gets to pursue her passion of Business and gets to travel, negotiate, and build lasting business relationships.

When Karina is not working she dedicates all her time to her family, especially her two daughters, Liana and Aliyah. She loves every minute of raising them and watching them grow. So all the time spent taking them to school, dance classes and other activities is well worth it to her.

Gaynor Rawson
Chief Human Resources Officer

Gaynor Rawson is the Chief Human Resources Officer and is a long standing employee of Christie Lites. Prior to joining Christie Lites in 2012, Gaynor’s Human Resources career began in the 90s when joining an IT start-up company. Over her HR career she has worked in a variety of business sectors including banking and investment, IT consulting, insurance and event lighting.

Full Bio

Gaynor Rawson
Chief Human Resources Officer

Leading the HR team, she brings over 25 years of high-level and diverse HR experience to Christie Lites. Her areas of specialty include employee relations, employee litigation matters, the full employee life-cycle, onboarding, terminations, benefits, payroll, employee handbook development, policy and procedure development and guidance on provincial, federal and state employment law compliance.

Gaynor is a member of the Human Resource Professional Association. She holds a certification in Human Resource Management and has her Certified Human Resources Leader (CHRL) accreditation.

Jenn Bodshaug
Project Manager

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Jenn Bodshaug
Project Manager

Hailing from the rough and tumble streets of northeastern Massachusetts, Jenn has taken a journey full of twists and turns to get to where she is now. Ample time was spent in choirs and theatre programs targeted towards youths throughout middle and high school, however, a desire to NOT be the one in the spotlight lead her down other paths. One of those paths was diving into art classes, and landing on a focus in photography, which evolved into editing for television and film. Evidentiary support for working best while alone in the dark attached to a screen (or four). A year spent at Hofstra pursuing a TV/Film double major, proved to be torturous trying to conform to traditional university life, and a English professor suggested transferring to a non-traditional school in Florida she knew of from other students. Google searches were done, applications placed, and acceptances in a whirlwind. The ink wasn’t even dry on any of the paperwork when at a last minute attendance of a Bon Jovi concert, Jenn found herself paying more attention to the truss, lights, and crew, then anything on the stage.

Late Summer 2003 Jenn stepped foot in Orlando, FL, not as a film student, but as the newest member of the Show Production and Touring degree program at Full Sail University. By February, with the 80 degree weather and intense lack of snow, she was no longer a New Englander. After an intense 13 month program with classes ‘round the clock, and copious amounts of energy drink consumed, November 2004 provided a degree, a zest for a career, and a pile of loan debt. Work began immediately with basic stagehand duties around Florida, traveling to private parties throughout the US with a company providing a light up interactive dance floor, internship with David Copperfield in Las Vegas, and a bit of touring with Ringling Bros Circus. All before turning 21.

September 2005 had Jenn back in Florida, looking to start growing her own roots, and missing her cat. Couch surfing for a few weeks while apartment and job searching led to a position in the Cable Department at Christie Lites. Quickly transferring to the newly created Dock Department, and staying on as Dept head for 3.5 years until the economic crash. With a quick pivot, Jenn found herself as part of the CL show labor pool, and working with various other companies in town as a Prep and General Tech for 2 years. One fateful day, receiving a call during a load in to come back to CL as a Project Coordinator (aka Ops Co’s way back then). A few years later advancing to the role of Project Manager.

These days, when not working her magic to make the events happen, you can find Jenn and her ever changing hair, at home; likely in her Puzzle Piazza completing over 200 jigsaw puzzles a year, annoying her husband with non-stop singing/quoting of Hamilton, and telling the 4 cats to stop yelling during Zoom calls.

Gord MacFarlane
Project Manager

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Gord MacFarlane
Project Manager

Gord began his stage lighting career in high school. He attended Red Deer College Technical Theatre Studies program and then went on to work at the college as a Stage manager and Technical Director. From there Gord left to attend the Banff Centre for the Arts lighting work study program.

In 1998 he moved to Calgary and worked for various small theatres as a technician and lighting designer.

In the summer of 1999 Gord started work for Christie Lites as a freelance technician. Shortly after that he accepted a full time position and went on to become part of the Tech Rep program. Most of his time as a technician with Christie Lites was spent touring the globe with 'Barrage' as a programmer and head electrician.

In 2005 he joined the Operations team and has been enjoying his new role as Operations Manager and now his updated role as Project Manager ever since.

Robert Irving
Central Operations Director

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Robert Irving
Central Operations Director

Robert chose his career in high school after taking over as a Lighting Tech. Even though Gordon Graydon wasn’t into putting on plays or musicals, they still kept him busy. From there, he decided to work as a co-op student at Jack Frost before going to college for a career he knew little about, but was determined to work in.

He ended up loving the work, so he then enrolled in the Theatre Production program at Humber College. He spent his first year, like most, just trying to learn as much as he could before eventually running crews during his second year. After graduating, he moved on to take his first professional job at the Blyth Festival as Head of Sound for one season. He says while he hated the hours, he wouldn’t trade them for the anything.

After the summer of 2002 at Blyth, he decided he preferred working regular hours, which brought him to Christie Lites. He started in the Toronto shop in the Conventional department. From there, he worked his way up to Conventional Department Head, then onto the Dock Department Head, Operations Coordinator, Project Manager, and finally in to his current role as Central Operations Director.