Peter Kockelman has been building things ever since his father first put tools in his hands. His immigrant ancestors were wagon builders in Kilkenny, Minnesota, and the same blood flows in him. As a lad, Peter built tree houses above-ground, and subterranean hide-outs below. He discovered a love for making his dreams into reality with simple hand tools and a knack for bending materials to his will.

After graduating with a degree in Mechanical Engineering from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and a short stint at an aerospace contractor (really just an excuse to find and marry his wife Nikki), Peter discovered he had an entrepreneurial spark: he wanted to make businesses that build things--from amusement rides to steel buildings.

Today, at Summit, you can find him implementing new technologies, like computer controlled fabrication equipment in the shop, BIM design software in the engineering department, and a LEAN way of thinking throughout the company. If you can't find him at the office, look for him racing on his KTM dirtbike in sanctioned Enduro races throughout Northern California.

Ian Gravina has been with Summit for 20 years. He was a part of the original team that came from Bungee Adventures and Gravity Works, where he designed, built, and installed amusement rides (and where he occasionally engineered stunts for MTV, or for any number of other extreme and record-breaking events around the world).

In earlier days, Ian worked on all aspects of each project, from design to installation. "Pete and I joined the Ironworkers union so that we could actually work in the field: I gained a lot of knowledge from these early experiences, which continue to influence my design work to this day."  

Ian spends lots of his free time playing guitar, with a few live shows on his resume. He can also be found mountain biking, rock climbing, and occasionally bungee jumping from a bridge.

From the beginning of Summit Steel Works, CFO Kockelman has been a catalyzing and unifying force; managing critical aspects of the early formation of the corporation, spearheading internal projects, and ensuring the strength and functionality of the leadership team. She keeps the company on firm footing: when the job requires reaching into new territory, going the extra mile, she makes sure there's a solid financial foundation to support Summit's mission to take on the big problems.

When general contractors like Turner and DPR need numbers and lead times, they call Mike Flynn. Before Mike was Chief Estimator and VP, he was one of our most experienced Project Managers. His experience covers our sales cycle from start to finish. Mike can help you dial in your steel needs with ROM's and specific scope pricing. He brings the technical knowledge of a mechanical engineer and the practical expertise of a seasoned Project Manager to deliver bids that are accurate and cost efficient. Mike is responsive, organized, and always looking for Summit's next opportunity. Call and email Mike for your project needs and he will deliver.

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Mike is a husband and father. His hobbies include beating all his co-workers in fantasy football and sipping on cold libations in the California sun.

While working his way through college, Ben started off his career in the software industry, working his way up to Accounting Manager. After graduating from SJSU with a degree in Accounting, he continued challenging himself by taking the CPA exam, passing all 4 parts on the first attempt.  After a few years in public accounting, he landed at SSW in 2015 where he rose through the ranks from Controller to his current position of Vice President & CFO.

In his spare time, Ben likes to travel, cook, and play billiards.

Dan oversees all of Summit's field workers and everything related to job-site operations. He works closely with project managers, engineers, and Summit's estimating department to ensure the safest, most cost-effective ways to design and install our work. Dan's been an ironworker for 19 years, a foreman for most of his career, and began at Summit in 2012. He loves dirt biking, camping, hunting, fishing, and spending time with his wife and three kids.