Executive Team Bios

B.S. Civil Engineering, University of Nevada, Reno

Tom Gallagher, President, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Summit Engineering Corporation, has been shaping the face of Northern Nevada for over 30 years. Born and raised in Elko, Nevada, he has watched the metamorphosis of the state in its era of greatest development. Tom uses his degree in engineering to find innovative and adaptive solutions to numerous construction, engineering, mining and public works quandaries. With literally several thousand projects behind him, his knowledge of the workflow process on local, state and federal levels is unparalleled in Northern Nevada. Creating a culture that encourages and fosters ingenuity has been a primary goal for Tom as he mentors the next generation of engineers, surveyors and technical field personnel at Summit.

An example of this originality and foresight is the manifestation of the Northgate development which spreads across much of Northwest Reno. Within 20 years it has gone from barren land to an entire community with varying styles of housing, schools, parks and shopping centers. The infrastructure for this development alone was a mammoth undertaking.

Tom works side-by-side with developers and the local government to achieve compromises that are appropriate for the community and beneficial to both parties. Rooted in Northern Nevada it is his goal to bring jobs to the state and to search for contemporary ways to move Summit into the next decades of mandated creativity.

B.S. Civil Engineering, North Dakota State University

A member of the Summit staff for nearly 30 years and a volunteer for the Reno Rodeo since 1989, Clint Thiesse is nothing if not dependable. Clint's attention to detail and quiet, methodical expertise is nearly unprecedented in the local industry. Named American Society of Civil Engineers, Truckee Meadows Branch Engineer of the Year in 2008 one would be hard pressed to find someone who doesn't appreciate his skill.

Clint is renowned for working within budgets and for approaching each problem individually, assessing the issues and guiding his team from experience. He prides himself on avoiding preconceived solutions, striving to find the most economical and technically sound solution to each new project. Clint was essential to the innovation behind the most constricted parts of the Lawton-Verdi Interceptor, devising a plan which called for diversion of the Truckee River, crossing under I-80, and utilizing soil nailing to excavate a 30-foot-deep trench beside an active railway.

Clint has worked extensively with state and local governments as well as state and federal environmental agencies. The employees he supervises appreciate his hands-on leadership style and his ability to visualize and use common sense in his problem solving. If you can't catch him at a UNR game, Clint's next major undertaking will be in the arena as the Reno Rodeo President for 2012.

B.S. Civil Engineering, University of Nevada, Reno

After a college job driving forklift for a construction supply company, Drew Motter realized that he really enjoyed construction and wanted to pursue it in his education at UNR: civil engineering was the logical choice. Now Drew has nearly 20 years of experience with Summit Engineering Corporation.

As a Vice President Drew is responsible for the Civil Engineering department for both Summit offices in the State of Nevada. His responsibilities include overseeing a group of project managers and their teams in the preparation of Civil Improvement plans. He also has a hands-on approach to client management, billings, collections, proposals, employee hiring, creating company policy and outlining design standards. As a manager for a multitude of projects and clients, his responsibilities include project oversight, tentative and final map design and contact with local and state government agencies. Recently he has been spending his time in the field with construction management duties. For Drew the diversity of the job has an allure and keeps him energized each day. Drew's even-keeled temperament is refreshing in a job that involves a great deal of coordination between entities.

Ryan Cook's diligence to both the art and science of Land Surveying is evident to clients and co-workers alike. Ryan's degree in Land Surveying as well as his licensing as a Certified Federal Surveyor and a Nevada Water Rights Surveyor all contribute to his highly qualified nature. His training and 20 years of experience are evident as he reviews his survey crews' notes for the day. Points that seem questionable, he checks and sends the team out for a second look. It is rare that he misses a point.

Ryan faces each project with the assumption that it will be different, a challenge he embraces with a highly capable staff and modern equipment. His co-workers appreciate his enthusiasm for the profession and his dedication to "doing the right thing," making sure each job is done to specifications and with all possible commitment to accuracy. Ryan is a licensed land surveyor in Nevada, California, Utah, Idaho and Montana.

Lynn Walters first began with Summit Engineering in 1989. She worked both in the Concord office and the Reno office in a variety of positions. Lynn compiled proposals and served as assistant to the engineering manager for five years. During an interim period, she traveled back and forth between the Vegas and Reno offices to manage collections. Since 2001, she has been the assistant to the president and the secretary of the corporation. Lynn's wealth of experience with the company and her straight-shooting candor serve her well as the "go-to gal" for the Summit Engineering team.

B.S. Business, University of Nevada, Reno

Shelly Averill serves as our Chief Financial Officer or, as we like to affectionately say, our "executive bean-counter." Shelly began her Reno career with Devere Barker as a bookkeeper, and then moved on to work with the public accounting firm of Horning, Holmberg & Co. after graduating from UNR with a B.S. in business. In 2005, she moved to the public sector with a local ready-mix company, and in 2008, Summit Engineering had the opportunity to offer her a position at our Reno headquarters. Outside of work, family and faith are the most important things in Shelly's life.