“Be Honest and Not Overly Aggressive.”
Tim Unger is a distinguished real estate development executive whose career spans more than five decades of leadership, innovation, and transformational growth within the residential and master planned community sectors. Recognized for his strategic insight, operational discipline, and ability to navigate complex development environments, Mr. Unger has built a reputation as a trusted industry leader capable of delivering results across every phase of the real estate lifecycle. From land acquisition and entitlement to construction, disposition, and executive management, his experience encompasses virtually every dimension of large-scale residential development throughout California and the western United States.
Throughout his professional journey, Mr. Unger has consistently demonstrated an ability to identify opportunity where others saw complexity. His extensive background includes leading public and private homebuilding organizations, directing institutional investment strategies, negotiating major land acquisitions, and managing some of the most ambitious residential projects developed in California over the last several decades. His leadership style has always been grounded in integrity, practicality, and long-term relationship building, values that have allowed him to earn the confidence of investors, business partners, municipalities, and industry peers alike.
Previously serving as Principal and Owner of Summit Land Partners, LLC, Mr. Unger oversees a privately held development company focused on strategic residential and mixed-use opportunities utilizing institutional investors. Since founding the company in 2003, he has led numerous acquisitions, entitlement initiatives, and successful dispositions throughout Northern and Southern California. Under his leadership, Summit Land Partners has successfully acquired and sold infill condominium developments, master planned community sites, and large-scale residential projects, including a 600-acre master planned community site in Riverside County and the acquisition and entitlement of 800 single-family residential lots in Ontario, California. His work reflects a deep understanding of market timing, entitlement strategy, and investor alignment.
In addition to his executive leadership roles, Tim served as a consultant to Lewis Management Company, one of the nation’s largest privately held development firms. In this capacity, he provided strategic guidance on large scale development initiatives across multiple asset classes, including multifamily housing, retail, industrial projects, and master planned communities. This experience further broadened his perspective on complex real estate development and reinforced his expertise in identifying growth opportunities, aligning stakeholders, and creating long term value across diverse real estate sectors.
One of Mr. Unger’s most significant leadership roles came during his tenure as President of Catellus Residential Group, the diversified residential homebuilding and development division of Catellus Development Corporation. Operating throughout the western United States, Catellus Residential Group became widely recognized for delivering sophisticated, large-scale communities that integrated residential, retail, office, recreational, and lifestyle elements into cohesive developments. During this period, Mr. Unger spearheaded several landmark projects that would leave a lasting impact on California’s residential landscape.
Among those accomplishments was the acquisition and development of Talega in San Clemente, California, a 3,600-unit master planned community that included residential neighborhoods, retail development, office space, and a golf course. Working in collaboration with prominent partners including Starwood and Standard Pacific, Mr. Unger helped guide the strategic vision and execution of one of Southern California’s most notable community developments. His ability to manage partnerships, align stakeholders, and oversee complex development operations became one of the defining characteristics of his executive leadership style.
In addition to Talega, Mr. Unger played a pivotal role in the acquisition and strategic management of the Serrano project in El Dorado Hills, California. The expansive community included approximately 4,000 residential units, two golf courses, and office development opportunities. Mr. Unger personally pursued the acquisition opportunity, negotiated the purchase, and worked collaboratively with the development team to provide tactical and strategic oversight. His involvement reflected not only his negotiation expertise but also his long-term vision for sustainable and value-driven community development.
Another hallmark achievement during his Catellus years was Victoria By The Bay in Hercules, California, an 880-unit residential master planned community developed on a former oil refinery site. This project represented one of the first successful “brownfield” residential developments involving the decommissioning and remediation of an active refinery site. Mr. Unger’s leadership throughout the entitlement, remediation, and development phases demonstrated his willingness to embrace technically challenging projects while balancing environmental considerations, municipal relationships, and financial performance.
Earlier in his career, Mr. Unger served as President of John Laing Homes, where he became the founding President of the company’s United States operations. Charged with building a homebuilding platform from the ground up for the UK-based publicly traded parent company, he established operational systems, development strategies, and organizational infrastructure that positioned the company for long-term growth within the American residential market. His entrepreneurial mindset and executive management capabilities proved instrumental in transforming the organization from a startup operation into a competitive homebuilding enterprise.
Before joining John Laing Homes, Mr. Unger held the role of President of Barratt Homes’ Irvine Division. At the time, the division faced operational and financial challenges, and he was specifically tasked with turning the business around and driving profitability. Through disciplined leadership, strategic repositioning, and operational improvements, he increased annual home sales from approximately 130 units to more than 750 homes annually. This dramatic growth solidified his reputation as a results-oriented executive capable of revitalizing organizations and scaling operations efficiently.
Mr. Unger also served as President of Rockfield Development Corporation, a privately owned residential homebuilder that operated through strategic joint ventures with financial institutions and private equity investors. During his leadership from 1987 through 1995, Rockfield successfully purchased, developed, and constructed approximately 1,200 homes. The experience further expanded his expertise in finance, capital structuring, construction management, and investor relations, all of which became foundational components of his broader executive career.
Over the course of more than fifty years in the real estate industry, Mr. Unger has accumulated an exceptionally broad range of expertise. His experience spans residential homebuilding, land acquisition, entitlements, mergers and acquisitions, master planned communities, portfolio acquisitions, urban infill development, and strategic operational management. Beyond his executive leadership responsibilities, he has also established himself as an expert witness and public speaker, lending his knowledge and experience to professional engagements and industry-related legal matters. His ability to communicate complex development concepts clearly and credibly has made him a respected voice within the industry.
In addition to his corporate accomplishments, Mr. Unger has remained actively involved in community and industry organizations throughout his career. His participation has included organizations such as the Building Industry Association, Homebuilders Council, Pacific Symphony, the Wellness Community, the San Juan Capistrano Water Commission, and the San Clemente Planning Commission. These experiences reflect his longstanding belief that leadership extends beyond business performance and includes contributing positively to communities and civic institutions.
Academically, Mr. Unger studied Business Administration and Finance at California State University, Northridge, and later attended graduate studies at the University of California, Irvine Graduate School of Business. His educational background, combined with decades of practical executive experience, has provided him with both the analytical framework and real-world insight necessary to lead large-scale organizations and development initiatives effectively.
Recently relocated to Northern California, Mr. Unger is actively pursuing board and advisory opportunities where he can continue contributing his extensive expertise and strategic perspective. He is particularly interested in organizations involved in real estate development, master planned communities, and growth-oriented ventures seeking experienced executive guidance. Motivated by a genuine passion for the industry and a desire to remain professionally engaged, he brings not only decades of executive leadership experience but also a collaborative mindset and deep commitment to helping organizations succeed responsibly and sustainably.
Outside of his professional endeavors, Mr. Unger enjoys fly fishing and golf, pursuits that reflect both patience and discipline—qualities that have also shaped his professional career. Guided by his personal philosophy to “Be honest and not overly aggressive,” he has built a career defined by credibility, measured leadership, and long-standing professional relationships. His balanced approach to leadership, combined with his substantial industry knowledge, positions him as a valuable advisor, executive leader, and board candidate for organizations seeking experienced and principled guidance.
Character:
Tim Unger demonstrates integrity through every stage of his career, consistently building relationships based on trust, honesty, and professionalism. His leadership philosophy emphasizes fairness, accountability, and thoughtful decision-making rather than short-term gain. Colleagues and partners recognize him as a steady and reliable executive who values ethical leadership and collaborative success.
Knowledge:
With more than fifty years of experience in residential real estate development, Tim Unger possesses an extraordinary depth of industry expertise. His knowledge spans acquisitions, entitlements, homebuilding operations, large-scale master planned communities, institutional investment strategies, and redevelopment initiatives. His ability to combine strategic vision with practical execution has allowed him to lead some of California’s most complex and successful residential projects.
Strategic:
Tim Unger has repeatedly demonstrated the ability to identify high-value opportunities and guide organizations through periods of growth and transformation. His experience leading public and private development companies has equipped him with exceptional skills in long-range planning, negotiation, operational leadership, and stakeholder alignment. He approaches business challenges with a disciplined and forward-thinking mindset that balances growth, risk management, and sustainable value creation.
Communication:
Throughout his executive career, Tim Unger has been recognized as a confident and credible communicator capable of leading diverse teams and managing complex stakeholder relationships. His work as an expert witness and public speaker highlights his ability to articulate sophisticated industry concepts with clarity and authority. Whether working with investors, municipalities, executive teams, or community leaders, he communicates with professionalism, transparency, and purpose.
