Board of Directors

Bob Ridenour is the Treasurer on the SONTX Board of Directors and a long-term advocate of our mission. He graduated Drake University with a degree in Accounting, moving on to be the Senior VP and Director of Real Estate Acquisitions for Taggart Investment Company.

He is also the Founder and President of RE Management Company, owning and operating hotels and motels. Bob has also served on various church boards and building committees, and taught Sunday school classes. Bob served on the Board of New Horizon’s, a home for abused children, for six years with two years as President. He now dedicates his time as Board Treasurer for Solutions.

Michelle has had a career in business communications since she graduated with a Public Relations degree. She joined the Solutions of North Texas family in 2011 and became the Public Relations Coordinator. She assisted SONTX clients with job skills as well as handling the business communications needs of Solutions.

Michelle became a SONTX board member in 2014. In 2019, after achieving her Master Beekeeper Certification, Michelle started her own business in honeybee rescue and relocation – Bursting Bees. She remains on the SONTX board as the Secretary, dedicated to helping clients in recovery.

Jeremy has worked in the mental health and addiction field for over 10 years. He currently serves as the Director of Business Development of Carrollton Springs Hospital, and has opened and overseen treatment facilities in 9 different states.

In addition to being on the Board of Solutions of North Texas, Jeremy also serves on the Board of Mental Health America of Greater Dallas and provides guidance and coaching to other numerous non-profits in the mental health and addiction field. Jeremy brings expertise in the fields of addiction and treatment and provides our organization with priceless advice and experience.

Chris Summitt has been with the Denton Police Department for 24 years. He has served in all facets of the department and is currently assigned as a watch commander for a patrol team. He has a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice from the University of North Texas. He has a Master of Science degree in Criminal Justice Leadership and Management from Sam Houston State University.

He is a graduate of the Bill Blackwood Leadership Command College. He is also a graduate of the FBI National Academy. Chris holds a master peace officer license. Chris also commands the Hostage Negotiation Team for the Denton Police Department. He is a certified mental health peace officer.

He is a member of the United Way Jail Diversion Committee exploring solutions to jail diversion for the mentally ill in Denton County. Chris has been a presenter on Crisis Intervention for over 15 years. Chris is proud to be part of the Solutions of North Texas team.

Brittany Baymon is the Director of Ellie Mental Health of Denton. She graduated with a Bachelor’s in Psychology, and a Master’s in Social Work from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. She also attained her Master’s in Business Administration with a concentration in Healthcare Administration from the University of Texas at Tyler.

She worked for several years as a therapist and eventually became eager to combine her business and counseling skills. Before working at Ellie Mental Health, Brittany was a Program Administrator for a non-profit residential recovery center. She has extensive experience with managing facility data to ensure compliance with payor requirements and funding audits.

Brittany has managed a clinical team and understands the importance of removing the barriers to quality treatment. She is passionate about removing the stigma of mental health and substance abuse to ensure quality care for all clients. Brittany’s goal as a board member of SONTX is to bridge the gap between mental health and substance abuse treatment.

In May of 2024, our Board Chair unexpectedly passed away. In addition to our community losing one of its heroes, we also lost a great friend and advocate. We will forever be grateful for Mark’s passion for our cause, his endless amounts of support and love, and his commitment to Denton and its people. While we’ll never get to chuckle along with his jokes or hear his creative insight again, Mark will always hold a special place in our hearts and in the organization’s history.

Mark graduated 4th in his class of 526 out of Klein High School in the Houston area. He received his Bachelor of Business Administration for Select Students degree from Stephen F. Austin State University, graduating with honors in three years with three majors (business, political science, history). Mark obtained his law degree from the University of Texas School of Law in 1982.

Professionally, he was licensed to practice in all Texas Courts, the United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas, the United States Court of Federal Claims and the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. Mr. Burroughs was a member of the State Bar of Texas and the Denton County Bar Association and had been a member of the Tarrant and Cooke County Bar Associations, as well as the U.S. Court of Federal Claims Bar Association.

Mark served as Mayor for the City of Denton from 2008 to 2014 and then dedicated his time on the SONTX Board of Directors for 4 years. During his time with us, he showed time and time again his extreme commitment to volunteerism in his community and the North Texas region and was a wonderful asset for the Solutions of North Texas organization.

We will forever love and miss you!