Whether you need fuel, propane, lubricants, fleet cards, or a new retail fueling partner — count on Christensen!
Be part of a team that fuels success, whether you’re on the road or behind the scenes. Explore career paths that fit your goals and grow with us!
In 1980, Gary and Annette Christensen left behind a stable corporate career and stepped into the unknown. Their courageous leap of faith became the foundation of Christensen Inc., a now multi-generational, Pacific Northwest-based fuel distributor known for its strong values and enduring leadership. This is their story.
The story of Christensen didn’t begin with perfect timing or ideal conditions. It began with a willingness to be courageous in the face of uncertainty.
My early years taught me about hard work and self-reliance. After my parents’ divorce, I moved to a farm with my aunt and uncle. That time shaped my sense of responsibility and grit.
Later, I moved back in with my father and stepmother. It was a challenging environment, and I knew early on that if I wanted something better, I had to build it myself. I worked graveyard shifts during high school to save money, paid my way through college, and eventually landed a job with Mobil Oil.
But even as I climbed the corporate ladder, I felt a pull toward something different. When I heard about a small fuel distributor for sale in Grandview, Washington, I told Annette, “I think we should take a look.”
That weekend trip changed everything. We made the bold decision to sell nearly everything we had, including our home, to put together a down payment. We kept two old cars and signed a $720,000 loan. Gary left a high-potential corporate career. It was a huge risk. But we had faith—and we had each other.
They were tough, financially and emotionally. But courage isn’t the absence of fear. It’s choosing to move forward despite it.
The business wasn’t profitable, and our loan payments loomed large. We had no team, no backup plan—just a belief that we could figure it out together. That first year, we grew from 4.9 to 7.2 million gallons. By the third year, we were over 13 million.
We weren’t operating off a playbook. We were operating off persistence, conviction, and courage.
The Golden Rule was our compass. Treat others the way you want to be treated.
That meant being honest with employees, fair with customers, and unwavering in integrity, even when it cost us. We made hard decisions, like parting ways with people who didn’t believe in our mission. We surrounded ourselves with those who did, and together we built a strong, resilient culture.
Customers trusted us, referred us, and grew with us.
From day one, I wanted to create a place where our family could work together if they chose to. More than that, I wanted a company where employees could build careers they were proud of.
Watching our five sons now lead the company is deeply rewarding. But family business isn’t easy. It takes transparency, grace, and, yes, courage—to be honest, to face conflict, and to keep growing together.
The statistics are sobering. Only 30% of family businesses make it to the second generation. Just 12% reach the third.
Why? Too often, companies overextend themselves during good times and can’t weather the bad. We’ve always operated with a healthy dose of caution and the courage to act when others pulled back.
Start sooner. Trust your gut. And listen more to those who came before you.
We didn’t always know what we were doing, but we had values that guided us. We took calculated risks, faced setbacks head-on, and kept going.
We hope they see that this company was built on courage, not comfort. On integrity, not shortcuts. On people, not profits alone.
Those same values continue to guide Christensen today. Our Painted Picture outlines a vision for a company that’s values-driven, people-centered, and purpose-led. We’re proud to say that the roots planted in 1980 still run deep.
Courage isn’t something we reference once a year. It’s how we got here and how we’ll keep moving forward. At Christensen, being courageous means:
Our story is proof that courage is not a moment. It’s a mindset. We encourage every team member to reflect on what it means to live out this value today—in conversations, in decisions, and in the way we support each other.
At Christensen, we’re more than a business. We’re a team driven by purpose and guided by values.
👉 Explore Our Painted Picture
👉 Join our Team – View Careers at Christensen