PPL's Executive Leadership

Steve Cramer, President and Executive Director rejoined PPL in August 2003, after serving as director of the Hennepin County Department of Housing, Community Works & Transit, a post he assumed in February 2002. For the preceding three years he had served as executive director of the Minneapolis Community Development Agency. From 1994 through 1999, Cramer served as PPL’s director of housing and development, chief operating officer and finally president and executive director. He was elected to the Minneapolis City Council and served as a council member from 1984 to 1993. Mr. Cramer received his M.A. in Public Affairs from the Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs, University of Minnesota and his B.S. in Urban Planning from the University of Tulsa.

He currently serves on the Minnesota Task Force to End Homelessness, the Minnesota Multi Housing Association Board of Directors, and chairs the Minneapolis Consortium of Community Developers and the Minnesota Ballpark Authority. He has served on the House Minnesota Advisory Committee, Fannie Mae National Housing Impact Advisory Committee, Catholic Charities Board of Directors, St. Joseph’s Home for Children Advisory Board, and as vice chair of the Metropolitan Airports Commission.

Jack Katzmark CFO and Vice President of Operations and Employment, is an experienced finance professional with over 25 years of for profit industry background at several large banking and real estate financing organizations. He also has significant nonprofit sector experience holding various Board of Director positions with organizations focused on child care services, foster care and senior care services. Jack has recently joined PPL and is a member of the management team. His responsibilities include finance, human resources, information technology, office administration and two direct service employment programs. He is a CPA with undergraduate degrees in economics and accounting and a Masters in Business Administration.

Barbara McCormick Vice President of Housing and Community Impact, has more than 20 years of experience in the nonprofit housing field, beginning with a community-based development corporation and then moving on to a Twin Cities-wide nonprofit housing provider. She is experienced in syndicating Historic Preservation and Low-Income Housing Tax Credits, has served as asset manager for inner-city and suburban affordable rental housing, and operated various loan and grant programs for out-state housing developments. Ms. McCormick has been overseeing PPL’s work in affordable housing and commercial development since 1998.

Julie Brekke, Vice President, Programs and Fundraising and Communications, has eighteen years of experience in the nonprofit sector, concentrating on fundraising, program development, evaluation and measurement, and non-profit management. She has worked in various sectors of the nonprofit world, including human service, social change and the arts. Julie serves on PPL’s Management Team and works closely with program staff, nonprofit colleagues, donors, volunteers and community members to advance the organization’s mission. She directed PPL’s fundraising and communications work since 2000 and, in 2009, expanded her work in the oversight of PPL’s human services, youth development and employment skills training programs.

Brad Linville, Vice President of Education, has worked in social services for over 30 years. He is the former executive director of The Center for Community Action, which merged with LNB in 1989. Brad holds a BES from the University of Minnesota and an MBA from the University of St. Thomas.