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Partners

Joel Harter

Principal - Chairman

Joel Harter is the Principal and Chairman of Summit Principal Group, bringing more than 40 years of executive leadership, business ownership, and investment experience. His background spans consumer products, manufacturing, distribution, commercial real estate, and agricultural real estate.

Beginning in 1986, Joel held executive leadership roles across several family-owned enterprises, including Summit Brands, Pro Products, and Summit Outdoors. As the former CEO of Summit Brands, he led a business with both a proprietary and acquisition-based portfolio of nationally recognized brands, including Iron OUT, Glisten, Pumie, Plink, Fels Naptha, and Dryel.

At Summit Principal Group, Joel brings a business owner's perspective shaped by decades of executive leadership and investment activity, emphasizing long-term growth, enduring business relationships, and the preservation of family-owned business legacies.

Chief of Staff

Jenna Harter

Jenna Harter serves as Chief of Staff at Summit Principal Group, supporting Principal and Chairman Joel Harter. She brings experience in business development and corporate operations, with a professional background spanning both private enterprise and nonprofit organizations.

Prior to joining Summit Principal Group, Jenna held business development positions at Smokeball Legal Software and Oracle. She also serves as Associate Director of Summit Legacy Foundation.

Jenna earned her bachelor's degree in Management with a minor in Marketing from Indiana University Bloomington in 2019.

Acquisition Manager

Jay Harter

Jay Harter serves as Acquisitions Manager at Summit Farms, bringing experience in customer relations and product management. He also serves as a Sales Engineer at Summit Outdoors, where he works with customers to identify needs and develop product and equipment solutions.

Jillian Harter

Controller

Jillian Harter serves as Controller at Summit Principal Group, bringing experience in accounting and financial operations. She also holds the position of Accounting Specialist at Summit Brands, where she previously served as an Accounting Clerk.

Prior to joining Summit Brands, Jillian gained experience as an Accounting Intern at Witmer Wood Tax Consultants.

Jillian earned her Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Purdue University Fort Wayne in 2025.

Advisors

Outside Counsel

Kacie Kefgen

Kacie Kefgen serves as Outside Counsel and Advisor to Summit Principal Group, bringing experience in legal services, public policy, and strategic consulting. She is the owner and sole practitioner of Kefgen Law & Consulting.

Previously, Kacie held leadership and advisory positions with Public Sector Consultants, the Michigan Association of School Boards, and the Michigan House of Representatives.

Kacie earned her Juris Doctor, magna cum laude, from Michigan State University College of Law.

Operations Consultant

Jackson Harter

Jackson Harter serves as Operations Consultant to Summit Principal Group, bringing experience in project management, operational efficiency, and process improvement. He concurrently serves as Operations Program/Project Manager for a Commercial Printing company.

Previously, Jack held project management positions at Summit Brands and Tile Interiors, overseeing commercial projects and implementing operational improvements.

Jack earned his Bachelor of Science in Organizational Leadership from Purdue University Fort Wayne in 2019 and holds a Project Management Professional (PMP) certification.