Author Profiles

Eric Lindeen (35 posts)

Eric Lindeen is a champion for improving the lending process and helping financial institutions compete more effectively, and a connoisseur of all things chocolate. For 12 years at Zoot, he has helped lenders develop and deploy complex solutions for credit origination. His 20-plus years of experience in marketing and technology enable him to bridge the gap between business strategy and IT practice. His first experience in the finance industry was while earning his master’s degree in southern California. Eric is now responsible for Zoot’s marketing efforts and sharing Zoot’s industry expertise. He has been known to blog for brownies.

Alex Johnson (29 posts)

Alex Johnson is an online marketing specialist at Zoot. In his role at Zoot, he is constantly studying the ways in which new marketing trends, techniques, and technologies are impacting the financial industry. As a member of Generation Y, Alex's insights and observations will undoubtedly be influenced by his generation's passion for/dependence on the internet.

Karen Gordon (22 posts)

Karen Gordon has worked in the marketing group at Zoot Enterprises for the past 5 years and has more than 17 years of experience in management and public relations. While earning her master’s degree she learned the importance of promoting an organization’s image and creating a positive buzz about its offerings. In her role at Zoot, Karen leads the company’s public relations program. When she’s not chasing down technology reporters you can find her on the nearest tennis court chasing fuzzy, yellow balls.

Tom Johnson (9 posts)

Tom Johnson has 25 years of experience in designing and implementing cutting edge technology solutions. As Vice President of Product Development at Zoot, Tom is the “Chief Idea Guy” responsible for developing new tools and solutions concepts. He has spent the last 10 years working with the largest banks in the country helping them to develop innovative solutions. Tom is regularly featured in industry publications and as a speaker at industry conferences and most importantly as a contributor to the ZootBlog. When he’s not brainstorming new ideas for the financial industry, Tom is usually busy brainstorming improvement projects for his home and cabin.

Dennis Dixon (4 posts)

Dennis Dixon has more than 25 years of senior management experience in the technology industry. Before joining Zoot as president he founded and managed EDS Montana, a software development and integration services division of EDS. Dennis’ focus now includes inspiring innovation, achieving unprecedented service levels, and enabling clients’ success through the next generation of Zoot’s industry-leading solutions. He is also a great supporter of our community and has served as the founding Chairman of TechRanch, a Montana technology business incubator; and Director of the Gallatin Development Corporation, a local economic development organization.

Kristal Butler (4 posts)

Kristal Butler is a National Account Manager and has been applying Zoot's decisioning capabilities to the challenges of some of the top financial institutions in the U.S. for almost 4 years. During her 17 years of sales experience, she served in many capacities ranging from sales management to operations where she created an audit program to identify, track, and reconcile revenue. She graduated from Gonzaga with a degree in finance and is continually finding new ways to consult her clients in the financial industry. Kristal has refined the art of juggling a large variety of tasks at work (visiting clients, giving presentations, researching the financial industry, and writing blog posts) and at home--a skill she no doubt mastered while raising triplet boys.

Cassie Fulton (3 posts)

As the marketing communications and analyst relationships specialist at Zoot, Cassie has a market facing role that allows her to identify and follow trends in the market. She has established solid relationships with the top financial industry analysts and leverages those to make as many trips to Boston as possible. When not enjoying a lobsta roll, Cassie uses her industry knowledge to support Zoot’s business and our clients by packaging it into messaging and orchestrating marketing campaigns.

Warren Bauder (2 posts)

Warren Bauder has the distinction of being Zoot’s oldest employee, but not because of his age. He started working for the company as a programmer nearly 20 years ago when he was 16. Presently, as Enterprise Architect, Warren is responsible for the overall design of Zoot’s tools, services and infrastructure and the integration of that technology with client systems. Warren’s experience and technological savvy makes him the ideal leader to bridge the features and functionality of Zoot technology with the ever-evolving needs of a dynamic financial industry. In addition to leading the charge on Zoot technology, Warren stays busy supporting the community through a number of volunteer non-profit and community-focused organizations and chasing his kids on the ski hill.

Chris Nelson (1 post)

Chris Nelson, CEO and founder of Zoot Enterprises, has more than 25 years of experience in the software and financial service industries. He formed the company because he recognized a need in the financial industry to improve the quality and efficiency of the credit decisioning process. Chris has developed several product offerings to expedite the retrieval and review of credit reports at various levels, from instant credit decisioning to loan origination systems. Under Chris’ leadership, Zoot has grown to a multimillion dollar company with long-term relationships with the most influential financial institutions, credit card issuers, auto finance companies, and retailers worldwide.

Ed Rice (1 post)

Ed Rice has more than 20 years of experience representing financial institutions of all sizes in the consumer and retail banking areas. Prior to joining Zoot as general counsel, Ed was a shareholder and director in the Pittsburgh, PA-based law firm of Sherrard, German & Kelly, P.C. Earlier in his legal career, he worked directly for M&T Bank and Bank of New York Mellon. Armed with his juris doctor degree, B.S. in industrial engineering and vast legal experience with consumer credit financial services business, Ed is well versed to tackle blog topics from technology to the ramifications of new legislation in the financial industry. Go Steelers!

Paul Thielemann (1 post)

Paul Thielemann brings over 20 years of financial industry know-how from both an IT and business perspective to his role as Senior Vice President of Sales & Marketing. Paul’s experience in the mortgage lending, consumer lending, credit card processing, and insurance fields gives him a unique perspective into the inner workings of the financial industry.