Mark Smith, Geologist and property owner.

I was born and raised in the beautiful Great Northwest, surrounded by towering trees and crisp air, until my family decided to trade rain for sunshine and moved us to the southern states when I was still a kid—before I had the chance to grow webbing between my toes, as I like to say. Adjusting to the warmer weather came naturally to me, and I ended up staying in the South for a while, eventually heading to southern California for high school and college. Those years shaped me, giving me a solid foundation before I set off to explore and build my life.

My early career took me on a bit of a journey across states like Texas, Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho—places where the land felt vast and full of possibility. I eventually found my calling in engineering geology, a field where I could dig into the earth and help others build on it. For over 40 years, I’ve worked with developers and towns, figuring out what the ground beneath us has in store—whether it’s hidden resources, tricky hazards, or just a puzzle to solve. I’ve been part of projects big and small, from little residential lots to sprawling 4,500-acre communities, tackling landslides, fault lines, deep canyon fills, and groundwater mysteries along the way.

Some of my favorite moments have been the unexpected ones—like rushing out after an earthquake to assess damaged buildings, or piecing together why a structure started to fail. I’ve worked on hospitals, schools, dams, bridges, even wind turbines and radio towers, always trying to make sure they stand strong. Southern California’s faults kept me busy too; I’ve studied them up close and across whole regions. And when things go wrong—say, a construction defect lands in court—I’ve been there to lend a hand with the technical side, drawing on years of planning, building, and sorting out messes.

I’ve worn a lot of hats over the years—project manager, principal geologist, operations manager, even CEO and president of a geotechnical consulting firm. Leading teams and guiding projects has been a big part of my story. It’s been a wild, winding road, and I’ve loved every minute of getting my hands dirty and making sense of the land.

I am an accomplished entrepreneur with a proven track record of establishing and managing successful businesses across multiple states, including California, Washington, North Carolina, Colorado, Montana, and most recently, Texas. Originally hailing from California, I have cultivated a strong professional network, notably maintaining a long-standing friendship with Mark since our high school days. Upon discussing the growing demand among RV enthusiasts for a place to call home, Mark introduced me to an ideal property he owned. Inspired by this opportunity, I relocated to Arizona—where I have since grown fond of the region—to collaborate with him in developing Silver Hills Estates, a community tailored for RV owners like myself and prospective residents. Situated in the vibrant town of Tombstone, this property offers an exceptional setting, particularly for my plans to rekindle my passion for horseback riding, a pursuit I enjoyed in Colorado. With ample trail riding opportunities available, I eagerly anticipate riding through downtown Tombstone, reminiscent of the legendary Wyatt Earp.