We'd like you to meet the Sterling Ranch principals, third-generation Coloradans with successful careers in real estate, development and finance. The Sterling Ranch development team is proud to work with an impeccable team of architects, community planners, water experts, conservation members and other talented individuals to bring our vision to reality and, most important, to do it right.
Harold Smethills, Principal
Managing Partner
Harold Smethills grew up ranching before he began his business career in banking, finance and investments. From executive positions at United Banks of Colorado, Harold became Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the Adolph Coors Company while also serving on its Board. From that position, he led the spin-off of all the non-brewery businesses into a new Fortune 500 company (ACX Technologies) where he occupied the Office of the President with Jeff and Joe Coors.
After huge growth at ACX, he left to form his own investment management company managing a large privately held real estate portfolio. He later was recruited as CEO at American Business Products (an American Stock Exchange listed company) where he doubled the stock and merged the business. He then was tapped by a large, privately-held manufacturing business as CEO of Menasha Corporation. While CEO, he brought their combined businesses to over one billion dollars in annual revenue.
Jack Hoagland, Principal
Jack Hoagland appreciates the land as a wheat farmer and brings 30 years of land acquisition, entitlement and development experience. He has served as Director of Land Acquisition for Kaufman and Broad’s Colorado Division (now KB Homes) where he oversaw initial acquisitions as the company moved into Colorado in the mid-1990’s.
He served as a Vice President of Acquisition for Colorado’s largest homebuilder, Richmond American Homes where he was involved in the purchase and development of over 1600 lots annually. Then as Senior Development Manager for Carma Colorado he guided the development of two, 1000-acre master planned communities in Brighton Crossing and Tallyn’s Reach.
Diane Smethills, Principal
Diane brings over 35 years of marketing, real estate development, finance, and implementation experience to the project. After working for the American Broadcasting Company and National Geographic in New York City, she returned to her native Colorado and formed her own real estate company, which was very successful in real estate brokerage and investment. Diane was instrumental in negotiating the purchase of the Sterling Ranch property.
Diane also worked as Vice President of Marketing for The Trammell Crow Companies where she created metro districts as well as master planned communities. In addition, she was an appointee of President Ronald Reagan to the Federal Home Loan Bank Board of Topeka. Recently, she has managed a private real estate portfolio of Colorado properties including single family and multi-family rental units as well as ranch property. These holdings allowed her to stay involved in construction management and development.
She has been married to Harold for many years and is the proud mother of two sons. Jack Hoagland is her younger brother.
Jim Yates, Chief Financial Officer
Jim, a certified public accountant, is also an experienced real estate professional with the proven ability to provide strategic and operational expertise in all facets of real estate development, land acquisitions and homebuilding operations. He brought a strong business framework to his position as Chief Financial Officer of Sterling Ranch, LLC. Jim is responsible for providing financial support and strategic guidance to the Sterling Ranch executive team.
Before joining Sterling Ranch, Jim was the National Vice President of Finance for MDC Holdings, Inc., one of the top ten homebuilders in the United States. Jim worked for MDC for almost 15 years in several key positions, responsible for management and oversight of six regional finance teams with twenty-two divisions across the country at its peak. His operational and financial capabilities are highlighted by his accomplishments as a creative, decisive and analytical manager within the homebuilding division operations.
Prior to joining MDC, Jim worked for two regional public accounting firms as an auditor. Jim has served as President of Castle Rock Metropolitan District No. 6. He graduated from the University of Denver in 1989 with a degree in accounting holding positions as auditor prior to his successful career with MDC. Jim is married to a DU alum and they are the parents of two sons.
Randy Pye
Randy Pye is one of the original founders of the Centennial incorporation movement, the largest incorporation in U.S. history. He was elected the city’s first mayor and reelected on a platform of low taxes, contract services and limited government. Randy currently serves as Senior Vice President of Capitol Solutions, a government and public affairs firm representing leading businesses and trade associations in Colorado and the West. He leads the firm’s local government practice and guides the development community through the local government land use process, creating a win-win for both the applicant and the community.
Randy formerly was Director of Investor Relations for the Metro Denver Economic Development Corporation and has served in leadership roles for national and local groups, including the Brookings Institution, Metro Mayors Conference, Colorado Tomorrow Alliance, Colorado Municipal League, Southeast Business Alliance and the Aurora Chamber of Commerce.
LINDA DROEGER
Media Contact
lindad@sterlingranchcolorado.com 303 202 6800 ext. 18
Arlo Braun, Sterling Ranch Site Planner/Architect
Principal, Braun+Yoshida Architects
www.braunyoshida.com
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Arlo Braun began his career in Philadelphia in 1966 as an architect and urban designer working on center-city housing with Louis Sauer; regional planning and new town projects with David Crane; downtown planning with Wallace, McHarg, Roberts & Todd; and planned communities in partnership with Terry Schnadelbach, a landscape architect and ecologist.
Since moving to Colorado in 1978, Arlo’s primary focus has been the residential arena. Arlo established the firm in 1989 with a commitment to cutting edge design of livable homes and livable neighborhoods. The firm is the recipient of numerous local and national design awards. Arlo has served as a design awards judge for the Best in American Living Awards (BALA), a national program, Colorado’s Best Residential Architecture(COBRA) award program, and the Building Association of Southern Florida’s BEST awards program. Arlo has taught at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, University of New Mexico, Drexel University, and University of Pennsylvania. He and his team are committed to the cutting-edge design of livable homes and livable neighborhoods. Among his design awards are the 2008 Best Architectural Design award and more than 60 previous year awards for excellence in residential home design, including: BAR AWARDS 2008, Built Green Home of the Year.
Bill Wenk, Sterling Ranch, Landscape Architect
Wenk Associates, Inc.
Principal
www.wenkla.com
Experience
Mr. Wenk has over 30 years of experience as a landscape architect in the Rocky Mountain west. Projects have ranged from broad scale planning and assessment studies to detailed landscape design. He has proven abilities as an effective communicator, both verbal and graphic, in interpreting client needs and wishes, in addition to those of the general public. He has served as coordinator of and major contributor to inter-disciplinary project teams. His extensive experience in the region gives him an in-depth knowledge and understanding of local ecological issues and construction technology.