Meet the People Who'll Have Your Back

Steve Brown

I’m a builder by nature — not just of businesses, but of systems, ideas, and impact.

As CEO of Summit Mortgage, founder of Ibex Title and the Elevate Homeownership Solutions, I’ve spent my career creating models that scale, teams that perform, and cultures that last. I believe in designing with clarity, leading with integrity, and showing up for the people and work that matter.

I thrive in complexity. Whether it’s navigating industry shifts, developing new market channels, or structuring nonprofit initiatives, I bring a strategic mind and a systems-based approach to every challenge. I’m driven by purpose, not flash — and I’m not afraid to rethink what’s “normal” if it doesn’t serve people well.

Beyond the boardroom, I believe success is rooted in balance. I’m also a help coach my son’s sport teams, a steward of our family farm, and a husband who’s still learning and showing up every day. I don’t chase perfection — I chase participation, growth, and presence.

Thanks for stopping by. If you’re here to explore partnership, strategy, or shared impact — you’re in the right place.

Mark Schlukebier

I joined Summit Mortgage in 2008 and have worked in a variety of roles over my 20+ years in the mortgage industry. My role as COO allows me to work in both retail and wholesale channels overseeing closing, post-closing, secondary, and investor relations. Our shared mission is to keep our clients’ best interests in mind while providing a superior customer experience which is accomplished through fostering a culture of trust and open communication with all stakeholders.

When I’m not selling loans to investors and overseeing operations, I enjoy traveling while trying to manage the schedules of four kids who play football, soccer, and hockey.

Bill McDonald

Encompassed with 25+ years of extensive experience in financial management, analysis, controls, statements, and reporting,
I bring to the table my unparalleled experience and technical understanding in implementing strategic direction, financial reporting, financial analysis, and the ability to foster financial business growth through the utilization of benchmarked best practices and solution innovation.

As Summit’s Chief Financial Officer, I am committed to developing financial operations efficiencies, cross-functional collaboration, integrating value-added solutions, and implementing mutual goals and objectives through innovative, qualitative and quantitative solutions. I believe these ingredients are the bedrock of establishing the foundation of a successful organization.

Scott Harris

As a Senior Vice President of Sales and Producing Loan Officer, I get the privilege of combining two roles I treasure; guiding clients through the home buying process and assisting my peers on the newest industry tools and technology. I look forward to putting my 25 years of industry experience to use for you!

Abbey Tebben

I’m a seasoned leader with over 20 years of experience in financial services, specializing in mortgage origination and process improvement. I’ve spent the last four years combining hands-on expertise with strategic enhancements to help loan officers grow their businesses and build high-performing teams. I am in the trenches working on loans and processes, whether for my own borrowers or for the loan officers that I support; I am not afraid to dig in! Whether you are a borrower looking for someone to guide you through the process, a loan officer looking for a leader to help you grow or a P&L leader looking for someone to come alongside of you and partner together to improve your outcomes and be completely transparent – I’m your gal.

As an adjunct professor and curriculum developer for over a decade as well, I’ve taught courses in communication, mathematics, and business, enriching my approach to education, coaching and collaboration. Teaching adult students from all different walks of life and age groups has allowed me to become an even better industry contributor by recognizing the need to meet each person where they are at and see them for who they are, embracing them and caring enough to invest time and effort to collaborate and help them grow. Leadership, guidance and growth initiatives should be tailored to the unique needs of borrowers, referral partners, and teams, promoting open communication, growth, and equity.

My recent work at Summit Mortgage includes developing business intelligence tools for loan officers, revamping some internal resources to make them more accessible to loan officers, creating innovative recruiting and coaching strategies, working closely with the leaders of each department to streamline communications, as well as serving as a liaison between sales and every department in the organization to ensure every voice is heard.

Outside of work, I enjoy family time, supporting my kids’ sports, spending time with my four grandbabies, traveling, fishing, playing cribbage with my husband, and being a tourist in my own city.

Luke Sandahl

As a Marketing Manager with over 13 years of graphic design experience, I’ve had the chance to work on a wide range of projects that have shaped both my creativity and strategic thinking. I love the challenge of bringing ideas to life—whether it’s crafting a brand identity, designing for digital and print, or creating user-focused visuals that truly connect with people. Every project has taught me something new, pushing me to grow, adapt, and refine my skills to create designs that are not only eye-catching but also meaningful and effective. I look forward to helping you take your marketing to the next level!

Hayden Neal-Cummings

As a Marketing and Sales Support Specialist, I’ve spent the past 6+ years helping our loan officers and branches bring their marketing ideas to life through strategy, design, and hands-on support. From managing corporate branding and social media to coordinating events and marketing tools, I love finding creative ways to make our brand stand out and our processes run smoothly. Every project gives me the chance to blend strategy with creativity, helping our sales teams connect with clients, grow their business, and elevate the Summit experience.

Gretchen Christianson

With over 30 years of experience in the mortgage and financial services industry, Gretchen Christianson, has built a distinguished career that spans multiple roles and responsibilities to include processor, underwriter and operations management. For the past 12 years, she has been a key contributor to Summit, where she has excelled in various capacities, and current leads our entire processing staff. Her deep understanding of the industry and dedication to delivering exceptional service has made her an invaluable asset to the Summit team.

In 2019, Gretchen was honored with the prestigious “Processor of the Year” award, recognizing her outstanding performance, attention to detail, and commitment to excellence in processing. Her comprehensive knowledge of underwriting and operations, combined with her leadership skills, has allowed Gretchen to make significant improvements in operational efficiency and client satisfaction.

Throughout their career, Gretchen has been committed to continuous improvement and fostering a collaborative environment. With a passion for mentoring and developing talent, she plays a pivotal role in shaping the future of Summit’s operations while consistently driving high performance across teams.

James Henson

I received my JD from the University of Minnesota law school and upon graduation, opened my own general practice law firm. In 2015, I joined Summit Mortgage Corporation as their Corporate Attorney and in 2023, became General Counsel and Compliance Manager.

At Summit Mortgage I continuously stay up to date with compliance and legal developments affecting the mortgage industry.  I oversee Summit Mortgage’s compliance and legal strategies, and play a key role in ensuring Summit Mortgage continues to provide exceptional service to its customers and employees.

Kendra Holmes

As the Underwriting Manager at Summit, I collaborate closely with my dedicated team to craft tailored underwriting solutions that pave the way for clients on their journey to homeownership. We take immense pride in our ability to deliver swift turnarounds while upholding unwavering consistency in our decision-making process. We collaborate daily with our mortgage loan originators to ensure our solution-based approach is most effective.

My vision for our Underwriting Team is centered around assessing borrower creditworthiness and ensuring our team consistently makes decisions that align with industry guidelines. Leveraging my extensive experience, effective communication skills, and a solution-oriented mindset – I provide the necessary support to help us reach successful closings.

Outside of work, I cherish moments spent with my family and tending to our hobby farm, which is home to a delightful assortment of animals.

Alecia Lininger, AMP

Searching for a career path that would be both challenging and rewarding, I discovered the mortgage industry in 2001. My first role was in the Closing Department at Summit Mortgage where I started as a Closing Assistant before moving to Closer a year later. Since that time, I’ve served and supported a variety of operational roles at Summit ultimately leading to my current position as VP of Operations. Leveraging the extensive experience gained over the years, my mission is to provide my team members with the knowledge, tools, and resources to ensure they achieve their goals and provide our clients with outstanding customer service.

I’m Minnesota born and raised, currently living in Watertown. I love spending time with my husband and our two sons, whether it’s out on a camping trip, a cozy movie night, or an outdoor adventure with our crazy dog.

Linda Linz

With over 30 years dedicated to advancing businesses as a technology professional, my career has been primarily anchored in the Financial Services sector. In 2021, I embarked on a new chapter as the VP of Technology at Summit Mortgage leading an experienced and talented team that vigilantly monitors industry trends and technological advancements.

Navigating the ever-evolving technology landscape, my team and I maintain a forward-looking approach, adapting to rapid changes. This proactive approach ensures we grasp the possibilities and understand how technological innovations can be leveraged to serve Summit Mortgage, and, more importantly, our valued customers.

When not working, I enjoy spending time with family and friends, golfing, bowling, playing cards, and attending a variety of music-related shows and events. And as a Minnesotan, living in the land of 10,000 lakes, I spend time on the pontoon in the summer and ice fishing in the winter.

TyNeice Nix

I’ve been with Summit Mortgage since 2013 and in the mortgage industry for over 20 years in underwriting and quality control (QC).

My primary responsibilities are to establish and maintain an effective quality control program that meets the requirements of investors, agencies, and state and federal regulators. I manage the QC team that examines the existence and accuracy of legal and credit documents, quality of property valuations, underwriting decisions, and compliance with agency, investor, regulatory, and program policies. I also assist the management team in leading Summit to high-quality assurance standards.

I enjoy working in a friendly team environment that is so family-oriented! Summit Mortgage genuinely cares about people – from those who use our services, to the staff who work so hard to help every homebuyer. Working in the mortgage industry is incredible because it gives me the opportunity to impact a large number of people and provides me with new and exciting challenges. When I’m not working, I enjoy spending time with my family and traveling the world.