In 1974, a time in which computer savvy was reserved for the elite few who had the foresight to realize the potential of the computer industry, Joe began his career just there. He designed and programmed mainframe, mini, and micro-computers in a world of rapidly changing technology. Joe received his BA, with Honors, in Accounting in 1977 from Saint Francis College (Fort Wayne, IN). Since receiving his degree, Mr. Kohnen has specialized in grain, feed, seed, chemical, fertilizer, and petroleum companies. Joining his knowledge of the computer industry with his accounting education, Joe started Summit Software Inc. in 1983. The company has grown from 3 employees and $150,000 in sales to 28 employees and $2.8 million in sales over the past 16 years.

Mr. Ringrose graduated Summa Cum Laude with a B.S. in Economics and Management Science in 1975 from State University of New York (Geneseo, NY). And, in 1980, he received his Master of Science in Business Administration from Indiana University (Fort Wayne, IN). Bruce has acquired 24 years experience developing business applications and systems using mainframes, midrange, and personal computers. He also has developed and implemented distributed computing systems, so it is no surprise that he is a strong advocate of industry standard hardware and software products to implement business systems. His career experiences as a Programmer, Programmer Analyst, Systems Analyst, Project Manager, Systems Manager, and V.P. of Information Systems are a large asset to Summit.

Mark graduated from Columbus Tech in Ohio in 1982 with a two-year Accounting degree. Mr. Kempfer has also taken numerous other business and economics classes through his employment with the Ohio Grain Company from 1977 to 1992. Matching our commitment to employ individuals who know the heart of our industry, Mark has worked as an employee of the type of companies he now has as customers. During his 15 years at the Ohio Grain Company, Mark worked his way up from a part-time after-school job working with grain fertilizer, and chemicals until he became part of the accounting team for the next 10 years - the last 4 years of which, he served as the Controller. In 1992, the company sold its $80 million, 7-location business. At that point, Mark came aboard Summit as part of the key leadership & visionary team.