Key facts
- Ryan Smith will assume the role of CEO at Visionary Homes on September 1, 2026.
- Co-founder Jeff Jackson will transition to chairman of the board on January 1, 2027.
- Smith joins Visionary Homes from Oakwood Homes, where he was president and COO.
- The leadership change is part of a multiyear succession plan at the Utah-based homebuilder.
- Visionary Homes is aiming to scale to 2,000 annual home starts and expand its market reach.
Visionary Homes, a prominent privately held homebuilder in Utah, has announced a significant leadership transition. Ryan Smith is set to assume the role of Chief Executive Officer on September 1, 2026. This appointment is part of a planned succession, with current CEO and co-founder Jeff Jackson moving to the position of chairman of the board effective January 1, 2027.
Smith joined Visionary Homes on June 15 and will work closely with Jackson throughout the summer to ensure a smooth handover. Jackson, who co-founded the company in 2004, will continue in his full-time capacity until the end of 2026 before taking on his new role.
The company highlighted that this transition is the culmination of a multiyear leadership succession strategy. Visionary Homes, known for its communities across Utah and its partnership with Misawa Homes America, aims to scale its operations to 2,000 annual home starts and expand into adjacent markets.
Smith brings over two decades of experience in production homebuilding and master-planned communities, with a background in the Mountain West and Southwest regions. Prior to joining Visionary Homes, he served as president and chief operating officer at Oakwood Homes, a Clayton Homes company, where he reportedly grew sales and starts by 41% in 2025 despite market declines. His earlier career includes leadership roles at Beazer Homes and Shea Homes.
Both Smith and Jackson expressed enthusiasm for the transition. Smith stated his honor in joining Visionary Homes, citing the organization's commitment to quality. Jackson conveyed his full confidence in Smith, describing him as a "kind, driven leader" who is the right person to lead the company forward.